Roast County for Lunch?



First Highland derby of the season comes along this Sunday at 12:45, an opportune time for our dear neighbours and good friends over the bridge coming on the back of their first League win of the season and another defeat for us at the hands of Aberdeen.

Early kick off so you'll have to wait for your choice of dinner, come three o'clock, let's hope it's Roast County.

It could have been oh so different last weekend had we not been so generous in front of our own box as we gifted Aberdeen possession which enabled them to capitalise fully and score on two occasions. Gary Warren had also smacked the post with a close range header moments after gifting Adam Rooney the Dons first goal. However, it's not a good idea to give teams like Aberdeen any help and we paid the price for it.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the league, a goal in time added on secured County's first three pointer, and they can no longer be labelled Loss County. Darren Maatsen added to Michael Gardyne's scrambled opener as County beat newly promoted Dundee, a result which unfortunately for them still shows that they occupy bottom spot, with St Mirren salvaging a surprise point at Pittodrie in midweek.

It's all change at Dingwall since we last played them and the Caley Jags fans favourite pass-time, Adams baiting, is no longer available. Yes, Derek and his dad have left the building. Jim McIntyre is now the man in charge, along with Billy Dodds as his number two. County fans could have been forgiven for thinking they had signed Michael McIntyre and Ken Dodd as results remained the same after their dismal comedy start to the campaign. But despite their lack of points, County have allegedly been creating plenty, just not making the most of their opportunities, (sounds familiar). Let's hope that continues, but derby's are funny old games.

Adams' departure was somewhat acrimonious with County maintaining they want to try a different direction. Downwards seems to be their chosen path with the bold Derek having a few swipes at the Dingwall establishment. Wee man big chip syndrome springs to mind.

The arrival of McIntyre on the 9th September saw him quick to add to the cosmopolitan squad left by Adams and he signed former Celtic youngster, defender Lewis Toshney who made his debut in the win over Dundee. Both Hibs and Hearts had turned down the chance to sign Toshney who has been plagued with injuries in his career so far, but he comes North on a 4 month contract. Michael Gardyne has also returned North on loan.

Enough nonsense from me though and read Ginger Jaggy's preview ahead of the big game, but here are some flashbacks to whet your appetite from the http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCguu8aUIctvMnNurpNHXW4w YouTube site.

  

Ginger Jaggy has been busy and instead of twiddling his thumbs, he has written this Preview for you, read on...............

Derby Day

The first highland derby is upon us with the caravans coming across the Kessock Bridge for the Sunday lunchtime kick off. This is the first time in a while that the Caley Jags fans will have someone else to taunt other than Derek the seethe Adams who was given his marching orders a few weeks back. Jim McIntyre is now charged with trying to keep the Staggies in the big time after a dreadful start to this season. On the other side of the coin Caley Thistle continue to go from strength to strength although we suffered a slight hiccup at the hands of an inconsistent Aberdeen side.

To our neighbours, and it has been a pretty rough start to the new season with them and St Mirren slightly adrift at the bottom of the table after only winning one game so far. Derek Adams has already paid the price for a second successive season of major overhauls to the playing squad with the team very slow to gel. Adams has now been relieved of his duty by his father who has also ended up on the County scrapheap. Now it is Jim McIntyre at the helm, and a small glimmer of hope has arisen with a last minute winner to beat Dundee last weekend. They still have problems at the back with the worst defensive record in the league; six goals worse than any other side.  But the first win of the season may give them the confidence to put a run together to get them back up the table, just not this weekend.

For John Hughes, life isn’t to bad with the Caley Jags again showing Scotland that we are no pushovers. And even though a couple of defeats on the road have happened since the first international break we hope to go into the second one with a good win over our rivals. A win in the derby will propel us back up to the top of the table after Dundee Utd failed to win at Kilmarnock. By the time the game kicks off we could be as low as sixth with the top six looking very congested as six points covers the Arabs at the top to the Dons making up the top six. Only Dundee has come away from the Highland capital with anything. The others including Celtic sent back down the A9 without a point. Home comforts have been the main reason why we sit so high but as we know anything can happen in a derby. Last season we lost 2-1 to County in the New Year derby at home when all the stats would suggest a home win. Last time out mistakes cost us against Aberdeen so cut them out and continue to play this possession football then we will win more than we will lose.

Ginger Jaggy Prediction:- I feel it will be a good win for us although after last week’s last minute winner, County will be buoyed coming into this one.  Defensively they are very suspect and I feel we will be too much for them although it would be very nice for Billy to get a goal or two to re-kindle his scoring touch. Many people would not be surprised if County return across the bridge with a second win in a row but I can only see one winner and it is the team wearing red and blue.

Crocks Corner:- Inverness have no fresh worries with Richie Foran taking his time to recover the only major absentee. County, on the other hand have Uros Celcer and Steven Saunders out and defenders Scott Boyd and Darren Barr looking to recover in time for the local derby.