Draw Right Eenuff

Dundee United came from behind to earn a point in the proverbial game of two halves. Ryan Christie had put the hosts ahead early in the match but Farid El Alagui levelled later in the second half and a point each was probably right eenuff mun.

ICTRoughi was on hand and he has produced this excellent thorough debut report, enjoy......Video to be added when available..........

Saturday, 3pm, Tulloch Caledonian Stadium - what a rare experience. Jackie McNamara had taken his United side up to Inverness on the back of an impressive 5-1 victory over Motherwell last Saturday at Tannadice whereas Caley Thistle were handed the opposite result in a 6-0 defeat at the hands of champions Celtic. As tm4tj said in the ‘United preview’ today was all about regrouping.

John ‘Yogi’ Hughes made changes from the side that played at Celtic Park with Ryan Christie replacing Nick Ross who dropped to the bench. Gary Warren and Josh Meekings both missed today’s game through injury and illness which meant that Caley Thistle had a makeshift back four with Danny Devine and Carl Tremarco at centre back and Danny Williams filling in at left back. Under 20s Alistair Sutherland and Jordan Brown made the 5 man bench for Caley Thistle.

Jackie McNamara made only one change from the team that beat Motherwell. Stuart Armstrong left out through injury, Ryan Gauld replaced him with youngster Aiden Connelly drafted onto the bench for Dundee United.

Caley Thistle got the game started and played the game with a high intensity. We passed the ball smoothly along the deck very fast and almost found the net after a mere 40 seconds from an attempt from local lad Ryan Christie fizzling past the right hand side of the goal.

Whilst continuing the same intensity and short passing, Caley Thistle managed to find a breakthrough in the 7th minute of the match. Marley Watkins gathered the ball wide right and placed a very accurate cross into the box where Ryan Christie stood out and you just knew there was only one outcome. Christie got a head to Watkins’ cross and coolly headed it into the bottom right of the goal past Rado Cierzniak - 1-0

Caley Thistle almost doubled their advantage in the 13th minute when Greg Tansey played a through ball to Billy Mckay giving him a one on one opportunity but Gavin Gunning made a crucial defenders tackle to ensure the score was kept to a one goal deficit.

Still having the advantage Caley Thistle kept going and plodded away and on the 16th minute Tansey cleanly struck the ball right down the middle with all his might from roughly 25 yards out with Cierzniak getting two hands onto it.

Nadir Ciftci nearly equalised for the away side in the 21st minute but his attempt at goal was denied by Dean Brill. Ryan Dow also had a similar chance but again Brill stood tall to keep the home side in a winning position.

Caley Thistle continued to impress with the passing and attacking movement enjoying most of the possession but nothing was being transferred into a goal. Gary Mackay-Stevens nearly scored from 12 yards out but it just didn’t go his way.

HT Inverness CT 1 – 0 Dundee United:  Christie (7)

Caley Thistle the first team to re-enter the pitch and Dundee United duly followed a couple of minutes later. Skilled Dundee United starlet Gary Mackay-Stevens was forced off through injury therefore Brian Graham was introduced just before the restart of play. Dundee United got the game started again and it seemed like the tide had turned with the away side turning up the pressure and Caley Thistle trying to weather the storm.

Dundee United almost got an equaliser in the 47th minute from a wicked shot by Nadir Ciftci roughly about 35 yards outside the box hitting the ball into the south stand of the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

Substitute Brian Graham almost made a perfect start after being placed on for Dundee United with soft shot into the body of Dean Brill.

Brian Graham again finding space to annoy the Caley Thistle back four after a nice ball from Paul Paton into the box only for Graham to put the ball over cross bar – the search still continued.

Dundee United introduced their loanee from Brentford Farid El Alagui to bolster their attack and were now playing with three established strikers.

Farid El Alagui almost got the golden opportunity in the 67th minute when Paul Paton delivered in a ball into the box for El Alagui to get a head onto it but again it didn’t find the net. It was turning out to be a frustrating afternoon for Dundee United.

Dundee United kept their heads up and finally got what they were looking for all afternoon – a goal. A defensive free kick from Paul Paton into the area lead to a massive scramble in the box where Caley Thistle failed to clear the ball from danger and Farid El Alagui got the goalden touch for the Tayside team. There was a strong case that Dean Brill could have been fouled but the match officials ignored the calls for a foul – 1-1

Nothing really noteworthy happened heading towards the end of the game. A couple chances here and there but I think that Yogi was happy enough for the draw and to be honest on the reflection so am I. Caley Thistle showed some good passing today and I hope we play with the same intensity v Motherwell on Wednesday it should be a cracker – I can’t wait!



FT Inverness CT 1 – 1 Dundee United: Christie (7) – El Alagui (71)

Brill– 8 – I thought that Dean Brill made some absolutely crucial saves and made sure Caley Thistle stayed in the match.
Shinnie- 7 – A good home performance from the stand-in captain
Devine– 8 – A call up for the team I thought he done really well and I like how Danny Devine plays in the central defence. He was very composed and he plays with a good footballing brain
Tremarco- 8 – Despite being a left back Carl Tremarco filled in at centre back and put in a really good performance. He is an old fashioned styled defender and his strength helped him play the central defence role really well.
Williams- 7 – Despite being a left winger and has been played in central midfield I thought he done quite well. He often got caught out at times but still done really well when needed. Good versatility about the boy.
Tansey- 9 – I was really impressed with Greg Tansey today especially his short and long passing were exceptional.
Draper- 7 -  He done really well holding the midfield and the strong force that kept Dundee United’s midfield at bay.
Doran-  7 – He had his moments on the ball. He came close towards the end but no end product.
Christie- 9 – Fully deserved his goal. His passing and movement was really impressive – Bright Future beholds
Watkins- 8 – Got the assist for Ryan Christie and was a nuisance for the Dundee United defenders but toiling towards the end and subbed for Liam Polworth
Mckay- 6 – Poor Billy Mckay has tremendous work rate but I feel that he needs to be supported but unfortunately didn't produce much today.

Subs:- Polworth- 5 – Didn’t really do much in the 10 mins he was given - Ross- 5 – Small cameo from Nicky today

Roughi's MOTM:- Despite giving Ryan Christie a rating of 9, my man of the match is going to go to Greg Tansey. I was really impressed with him today and he had shades of a fit and youthful Richie Foran about him in terms of both defending and attacking.

Inverness CT: Brill, Shinnie, Mckay, Draper, Doran, Devine, Watkins (Polworth 81), Tansey, Tremarco, Williams, Christie (Ross 90).

Subs not used: Esson (GK), Brown, Sutherland.

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Dillon, Gunning, Paton, Mackay-Steven (Graham 46), Watson, Dow (Connolly 78), Gauld (El Alagui 66), Ciftci, Robertson. Subs not used: McCallum, Wilson, Souttar, Gomis.

Referee: Brian Colvin.

Attendance: 3428.