Richie's Revolution

It’s been a week since Richie’s revolution kicked off against Cowdenbeath, Well now it is time for his managerial home debut. With the league campaign still a few weeks away these games will help get the team physically ready but in a competitive nature as we aim to progress in the newly revamped League Cup. If last week was easing Foran into it, this game will likely be the hardest test in the group stages,

Dundee United may now be a championship club but their relegation may make them more dangerous than the team that finished miserably bottom of the premiership. The likelihood is that the squad will be added to before the team take to the pitch against Partick but things are shaping up quite nicely. As expected a number of the deadwood that John Hughes brought in with his ‘larger than normal budget’ have been released and Foran is looking to return the good times by making some exciting signings. Scott Boden has come in to add competition up front but the signings of former QPR trainee Jake Mulraney and on loan Hearts winger Billy King give an idea of what we are likely to see this season.

Last season was frustrating with lots of slow passing making it a largely boring spectacle with many draws and low scoring matches. The fact Foran wants a return to quick tricky wingers and getting the ball in the box as much as possible indicates he wants to return to the DNA that made us so successful just over a year ago. The signing of Kevin McNaughton could prove a masterstroke as the new gaffer looks to add some steely experience to a back line that failed to hold out on a number of occasions last season.

It was more about job done than winning in style at Central Park last week but the narrow 2-1 win could have been more handsome had the woodwork not intervened on a few occasions. As for our opponents, it has been a summer of reflection and rebuilding after the Terrors went from finishing 4th to being rock bottom and relegated a year later. Jackie McNamara did a decent job during his tenure but a poor start to last season saw him replaced by Mixu Paatelainen. However, the bounce that was expected with the change of manager never came and they plummeted down into the championship with a whimper. Ray Mckinnon has now come in to stabilise the ship and return them back to the big time at the first time of asking.

United’s last trip up north saw them pick up a fully deserved 3-2 victory but Richie will not allow such a limp performance this time. They made an unconvincing start by conceding a late goal against Arbroath to only gain a point although they picked up a bonus point by winning the new penalty shoot-out system. But they followed that up by smashing our first opponents 6-1 at Tannadice to put them top of the group as they head north. This game will be a challenge. There is no doubt about that and it will be a good work out for ICT as they step up preparations for the new premiership season.

GJ Predictions – Won’t be an easy game and as the top seeds the pressure is on with only the group winners guaranteed to progress to the last 16. Dundee United will see this as a fresh start as they look to get over their nightmare, and that mentality will make them dangerous but I am looking us for Richie to get us off the mark in front of the home faithful at the TCS. There is a good feeling around Caley Thistle at the moment and I fully expect Richie to give us the best possible start and the home fans to give him and the team the best possible backing. Home win.

Preview by Ginger Jaggy

Fans should note that the club will not be operating cash turnstiles this coming season.

For HOME fans, tickets should be purchased from the ticket office before proceeding to the Turnstiles....for both Cash & Card Sales.  Additional ticketing windows will operate to improve upon the effectiveness of this system when it has been used previously, but it still requires fans to arrive at the ground in good time to ensure access to the ground before kick-off.  No matter the system, if everyone shows up 10 minutes before the game is due to start then we'll never get everyone in on time.

Where possible, fans should purchase tickets in advance.  This can be done online at https://www.eticketing.co.uk/ictfc/ or by phone on 0844 847 1888 (both available 24 hours per day).

Obviously with cup matches there is an increased number of ticket purchases involved....please keep that in mind and allow a little more time than you might for a league match.

The Turnstiles on the West side of the ground will not be in operation for this weekend's match via Dundee Utd.

For any AWAY fans visiting the forum....Cash sales will take place from the KIOSK located at the end of the South Stand.  Card sales need to be done at the Ticket Office located at the front of the Main Stand.

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The Dawn of a New Era

Our season kicks off at Central Park, Cowdenbeath in the revamped version of the League Cup. Inverness have been paired with Cowdenbeath, Arbroath, Dunfermline and Dundee United in the group stages.

This will be new gaffer Richie Foran's first competitive game in his managerial career. It's all change at Inverness with new players in to replace those that left in the summer. Notable defectors are Miles Storey (Aberdeen), Danny Williams and James Vincent (Dundee), Jordan Roberts (Crawley Town), Andrea Mutombo (somewhere on the internet beside a £180,000 Lamborghini) and the much maligned Danny Devine (Partick Thistle). We have been busy in the transfer market though and in comes defender Kevin McNaughton, striker Scott Boden, speedy winger Jake Mulraney and Billy King (loan).

It's anyone's guess how Inverness will line up tomorrow, but one man could well find himself starting after we all thought he was leaving. David Raven outlasted Yogi in an unprecedented turnaround and remains at the club while Yogi is on the dole. Owain Fon Williams has been at the Euro's with the successful Welsh squad and it may be Ryan Esson that gets the nod for this game.

Pre-season was limited to highland league opposition and Elgin City. Josh Meekings and Aaron Doran have been posted missing. Other than that, a good blend of youth and first team players have been given a run out and it's now time for Richie Foran to select who he thinks will be good enough to progress in the Betfred League Cup.

Former Inverness player Liam Fox is the man in charge of Cowdenbeath after the sacking of Colin Nish. A former Caley Jags Nemesis, he was dismissed after the Blue Brazil were relegated from League one following the play off defeat by Queens Park. Gary Glenn is one familiar name in their squad and he is the former Hearts and Ross County striker.

Our last visit to Central Park ended in defeat in season 96/97 in front of 282 fans. Craig Sinclair and Martin Scott had Cowdenbeath 2-0 up at the interval, but despite plenty of pressure, we only managed to score one through Paul Cherry. We went on to win the third division that season whilst Cowdenbeath finished seventh.

tm4tj prediction:- First game is always a leap into the unknown. Moreso this time with a new manager as well as some new faces on the park. Nothing to gauge either side against, but one would imagine a club from the top division will be good enough to win; fingers crossed.