Eagle4Caley

This was a bit like when we lost to Dundee United at home Yes...I do feel we have enough in us to stay up even if we do it via the dreaded play-off. Caveat to that is Samuel staying fit along with Kerr, Anderon and McAllister. Defensively we are in good shape. I still think that Austin Samuels could have a role especially if we end up in the play-offs

On one hand that might seem beneficial, but on the other we would miss out on TV coverage, which if not providing much or any cash does provide a showcase for players which might persuade some to stay/come here Likewise the teams in the Championship next season are the ones who will bring the larger away attendances, which if not necessarily massive, make a difference in the cashflow margins when every pound matters [Of course if Ross County were to get relegated, it would see a couple of better pay days] Arguably wages costs will be lower in League 1, but how low can a club go and attract/retain players? I have no idea what prize money looks like in the Championship or League 1, anyone have any idea?

We haven't had a proper winger for the majority of the season, IMV that's basically the problem. But we do have a big strong battling CF in Samuels. Imagine him with Henderson on the wing. Kerr as RB is defintely a step up from David Carson [and I like Carson, and its a shame he left as Right Midfield would be sorted] ...it's sods law and ironic that Welsh's replacement in Gilmour picked up a season ending injury. Fortunately Kerr has ably moved into CM and Duffy has come in and weighed in with a couple of important goals Good to see Longstaff back, he just needs to put some decent crosses in for the next four games, only two teams have a better defensive record than us, so even a few extra goals will be the difference either avoiding the relegation play-offs or winning then. After that who knows what happens next As for next week, someone needs to kick Welsh just above the knee early in the game, just enough, so he spends the rest of it hobbling around.

I enjoyed my first trip up to Dundee and an overnight stop near the Waterfront allowed me to take in V&A Design Museum and Discovery Point before my coach/plane/coach/train/bus replacement service trip back on the Sunday United's ground is quirky, and there was a good atmosphere in the away end [does chants of 'sack the board' count!] I thought we were competitive given the respective teams league positions. United had the better chances [and twice the number], and we have Ridgers to thank in part for keeping us in the game, but we also created some dangerous moments and I thought we were perhaps on top in the second half before their fluke [?] goal. Boy do we miss a decent winger though... last year Jay Henderson was impressing, the year before Logan Chalmers added some guile, and the year before Kai Kennedy added energy. Sadly for us Longstaff is injured, and Shaw has [when fit] been playing too deep in my view [presumably as the 'creative' midfielder]. I'd would say Alex Samuel would benefit from someone who put in a cross or two [in addition to Harper/Duffy's forays upfield] Was a bit surprised to see Pepple paired upfront with Samuel ahead of McKay [was this saving legs, a move to be more physical upfront or a tactical ploy?]. In part it worked because although Pepple doesn't look blessed with a lot a pace, he did occupy the defenders and did well with the cross that set up our goal. And when McKay came on he looked lively. Samuel worked hard all game and he does seem to appreciate the fans as well [he also got warm applause from us when he was subbed], I think he has a key role to play in us staying up. Ridgers was generally good and kept us in the game, but I'd say his kicking is average at best, certainly in this game and he was caught way out of his goal from his own kick, although 9 times out of 10 no one would have attempted Moults audacious shot For me Kerr was the pick of our team and ensured we were competitive in midfield, Anderson next to him was quietly effective and might have scored, and [ignoring the one moment of excessive timewasting which annoyed the Uited fans] I thought Lawal looked good, showing plenty of pace, energy and some skills. Can we keep this midfield together, with Harper overlapping for the remainder of the season? Given the number of shots that Dundee had, and Ridgers heriocs, you might think our back line was poor, but for me Savage was good as Central CB [a decent signing in my view] and I like Boyes at Left CB, Carragher was decent enough too. A tricky selection headache for big Dunc as Devine is probably best at central CB and Ujdur was by all accounts pretty good when he first joined [we might need all of them on the pitch in a frantic run-in or relegation play-off!] So a fun filled afternoon, with postives and an enjoyable weekend...at this point of the season a Billy Doods team would suddenly start winning, can we go up a gear? what rabbits can Big Dunc pull out of the hat? We certainly need to do better at home if we are to stay up, and do better against the mid-table teams. Here's hoping.

Since we have no wingers in that Shaw and Longstaff are out, maybe it's time [if he's actually fit] to give Austin Samuels a run out wide, a couple of seasons back, he and McKay had a purple patch, where they looked dangerous together. This time run Billy probably needs to sit deeper so that Alex Samuel can lead the line. I'm hoping Boyes is fully fit too as he strikes me as someone who could play out from the back. We do seem to suffer from a lot of injuries, what happened to McAllister, he scored two game ago, then is out injured. MacGregor suffering another set back. I still think we should recall Keith Bray from loan if we can. I am flying up for the Dundee United match next week, which could be interesting given their shock [?] defeat to Dunfermline. It's an away match which might be in our favour

Mind you we beat Raith at their place too, stuck 3 past Partick, were so close at home to Dundee United, stuck 4 past Queens Parks. We have our moments. What we need is a Doods-esque run of straight wins Our home form is a problem, but got to say the difference in atmosphere between a Caley home and and away match is quite stark.

TBF I would say most of the loanees brought in under Fergie, have done pretty well [apart from Sheridan] Has Gilmour picked up the Welsh curse? We probably need another RB as Kerr is the only guy in midfield with experience other than Doran who isn't really a 95min game after game chap I still think we should recall Bray if we can, and Hyde come to think of it Our injury list is almost Dodds-esque At least we have a surplus of attackers at the moment [if they could learn to score!]

And Samuel certainly put himself about, I sat next to two guys who had come up from Manchester [not ICT fans, just Ground hopping] and they felt he was perhaps MOTM for effort, really frustrating that Mckay had his penalty saved [he has form]. I thought Kerr looked at ease in midfield [looks like he will have to stand in for Gilmour for a while] as did McAllister [although he turned into people a few times]. Savage won lots of headers, but seems short of pace. Harper was pretty good down the left, and was found often with long balls cross field. As for Devine he had monster game in defence and three headers over the bar from our corners [good that he got to them, less good that he was off target each time. Shaw should really be on a wing full time IMV Good news that we have Anderson back next match, kinda think we were a bit quick to let Bray go out on loan A real kick in the teeth that Cillian Sheridan scored one and made two for Queens Park last night...mad that Dundee United lost at home, and Partick not showing good form at all, both results benefitting our immediate rivals Now that Austin Samuels is finally fit, could he give us half a dozen 'purple patch' games My gut feeling is we will be safe....but it wont be comfortable It was a quick trip up for me, I was on the 6:35 out of Inverness Airport this morning, next Dundee United away!

Did we not beat Ayr and Airdrieonians at home? Anyway don't worry...I'm flying up for the Dunfermline match, so it'll definitely be sunny and we will win.

Boyes [unless he's leaving] looks like the sort of player who can play out the back or drive forward, a bit like Robbie Deas. We can certainly park a pretty big bus if we have to now, Be interesting to see who the first three CB's are in pecking order now? Devine does get quite a few knocks, so maybe he gets longer to recover. Ujdur was getting some good reviews when he first came [ a bit like Delaney] but seens to have slipped down the pecking order

I wouldn't want to see Duffy go, anyone who recalls his performance in the Cup Final against Celtic must surely agree there is a decent player there, that needs to develop consistency. Maybe he's caught between being a CB and a RB, but never strikes me as error prone and can do well enough as RB. Given the start ICT had against Airdre last August, ppl might be surprised that I thought he looked pretty decent in that game, could come good in my view

It's alway an 'experience' for me when I come up from South London And believe when you experience 'Royball' down at the Palace, it comes as a welcome relief

Seems like a decent signing, which along with Samuel, sounds like a [temporary] improved squad, now if we can just get Eberechi Eze, that will sort the midfield out [yes I'm being silly with that last one, can we tempt Polworth back?]

I pretty much agree with everything you have posted on this match, I thought Shaw and Longstaff did OK, but Shaw needs to stay out on the wing, it seems like he is being asked to be the creative guy in the middle. And that issue rather made me wistful for the likes of a Vigurs or Liam Polworth [I never understood why the latter got so much stick] let alone a Christie, Andrew Shinnie, or Marley Watkins. Obviously also annoying that Welsh scored on his debut for QP, on his day a stand out player for us, but far too much time spent injured...and I think Gilmour is developing nicely as his replacement [in most departments], Anderson impresses me too, but he is a temporary addition and time spent on the pitch for Bray and MacGregor between now and May could be crucial for next season. We seemed strong in defence for 99% of the match, Carragher looked pretty decent to me, and the commentators though he had a decent game although he risked a card or two. Boyes stand out at the back for me, but again another loanee. Is Ujdur carrying an injury or does big Dunc think he needs a bit of a rest? The overwhelming feeling from me though is how desperately we need a decent enough big guy up front who can both win headers and hold the ball up [doesn't even have to score too many goals]. Guys like Sutherland and Todorov [at his best for us] gave us that. It would bring McKay, Shaw, etc more into the game, and ensure the opposition CB's had busier time. Not an easy fix I know, which could lead to Sheridan staying on if Dunc thinks he's getting fit enough. Brooks, I see as a future replacement for Billy. Samuels, much as I like him, has a bodymade of glass, and a slow brain. Lodovica was a panic punt, he has pushed on at all. Fingers crossed then that we can find someone in this window.

Oooh...can I borrow it for the Dunfermline game mid-week in Feb , I'm flying up especially for it