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Inverness CT -V- Hamilton - SPFL

Teaser Paragraph:
We're TOP of the league and you're no....
 
 
 
Not a reference to the Accies but a wee reminder to County that there's only one team in the Highlands, regarding an ongoing post on CTO. Thanks Jailender, This could be long topic. Super result for County though, 0-3 at Killie
 
Inverness hopped onto the top of the table after disposing of Hamilton in a game that came alive in the second half. Accies opened the scoring in the first half when a deflected free kick wickedly wrong footed Dean Brill. Billy McKay restored parity before the break though. It all happened in the second 45 as the game opened up, thankfully, the first half had been somewhat scrappy. Garry Warren powered home from a corner kick and McKay added another (he sores when he wants) as Billy completed his double. I kid you not, James Vincent scored a goal and well done to him. Andreu tucked away both Accies  goals, the first via a huge deflection, the second Brill seemingly unsighted, the ball going under him.
 
Ginger Jaggy has a full report for you, read on..................
 
Lest we forget
 
It was a beautiful day for football in the highland capital on Saturday which helped produce an entertaining game between two teams flying high in the premiership.

The match itself was a slow burner but it rapidly burst into life in the second half with 4 goals being scored as Inverness climbed to the top of the table for 24 hours with a magnificent 4-2 win.

It was a poignant start to proceedings as the stadium stood to observe an impeccable minute silence on remembrance weekend as we remembered those brave men 100 years ago.

When the game did get started it was the home side that had the early opportunity as Caley Thistle looked to capitalise on some Hamilton misfortune.

The Accies defender looked comfortable as the ball came to him but slipped allowing Billy Mckay to run to the edge of the box before squaring to the waiting Greg Tansey who’s shot curled wide of the post. But it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken.

Again an air of fortune as David Raven was punished for his foul just outside the box and Accies star man Tony Andreu fired the free kick into the bottom right hand corner with the help of a massive deflection of the head of the Scouse full back leaving Brill wrong footed and unable to do anything about it.

From that moment on Inverness took control and never looked back.

It didn’t take long for an equaliser to come and it was met with euphoria and a sense of relief all round.
Billy Mckay couldn’t stop scoring this time last season but this season he had just notched the one goal against the same opponents on the opening day. His goal was a sign that the Northern Ireland hit-man hadn’t lost any of his composure as he finished coolly into the left hand corner after a brilliant cross from Marley Watkins was taken down by a fantastic first touch.

The game drifted after that although Mckay almost had a second with a curling shot that narrowly bent wide of the far post.

Half Time 1-1

But if that was a tight first half, the second was open with end to end attacks and goals galore.

We took the lead just before the hour mark as a brilliant Greg Tansey corner found the head of Gary Warren who bulleted the ball into the corner to give us a deserved advantage..

Ten minutes later and it was like London Buses as Mckay who couldn’t buy a goal scored his second of the game. Where his first was exquisite this was a more routine tap in after a period of pressure on the Hamilton goal. Graeme Shinnie forced Michael McGovern into a decent save from a rasping thirty yarder that he parried wide for a corner. Although it was cleared the ball was lobbed back in with the impressive Watkins beating the offside trap but McGovern blocked at close range only to see it fall to the grateful little striker.

However, the Accies hit back five minutes later as Andreu fired a shot under the legs of Josh Meekings and the ball trickled over the line as an unsighted Brill failed to stop the ball squirming underneath him.

It was a minor set back, but we again opened up another two goal cushion, this time James Vincent getting his name on the score sheet for the first time this season. It was that man Watkins again who flicked a long ball into the path of the on running Vincent who ran in on goal and finished immaculately into the bottom corner.

The Lanarkshire club tried to press and force their way back into it but ended up giving space to the fresh pair of Doran and Christie who were late substitutes.

Full Time 4-2
 
     

In the end it was a comfortable victory for the home side and a brilliant performance over a team playing with confidence after a great start to the season. Great to see Mckay re-igniting his scoring duties with a poachers brace and he must want to play Accies every week. Gordon Strachan continues to ignore one of the best left wingback's in the country, but for how long? Another impressive display by our young captain. Solid display from our midfield again and our back line can consider themselves unfortunate to lose two goals today. Tansey needs to kick the habit of, well, kicking people. He was lucky to escape a booking as he lashed out which resulted in a minor flare up when he was lying on the deck. Naughty boy. James Vincent is another who can sleep well. He capped another decent display with a goal this time, well done that man.
 


Ginger Jaggy's MotM:- although I understand why Mckay was given the sponsors award, my MotM for the game was Marley Watkins who set up three goals and used his pace to run in behind and be a constant threat to the Hamilton backline.

 
 
Date: 08/11/14 Venue: Caledonian Stadium    Attendance: 3022
Referee: Willie Collum
 
Inverness CT: 4
Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Shinnie, Draper, Tansey, Vincent (Christie 86), Watkins, Williams (Doran 81), McKay
Subs (not used): Hoban, Ross, Sekajja, Devine, Tremarco Scorers: Mckay (25, 68), Warren (59), Vincent (78) Booked: Tansey (71)
Sent Off: none
 
Hamilton: 2
Lineup: McGovern, Gordon, Devlin, Tena, Hendrie, Crawford, Routledge (Ryan 64), MacKinnon, Redmond (Imrie 52), Antoine-Curier (Scotland 82), Andreu
Subs (not used): Currie, Canning, Neil, Longridge Scorers: Andreu (17, 72) Booked: Mackinnon (71), Imrie (93)
Sent Off: none
By Scotty in Reports 2014-15 ·

Inverness CT -V- Hamilton - SPFL

Teaser Paragraph:
Leapfrog Anyone?
 
 
 
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE welcome fellow high fliers Hamilton to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium this Saturday. Both teams will be keen to forget recent losses and continue to compete at the top end of the table. A win for Inverness would see them jump above Hamilton on Saturday in the season long game of leapfrog.
 
Caley Thistle currently occupy fourth in the SPFL table, following a one nil loss against Celtic at the weekend. John Hughes’ men have been ever present in the early stages of the title race having gone undefeated in October. Hughes felt his side were unlucky not to have gained any points against the Hoops last Saturday.
 
Hamilton have been the surprise package in the SPFL this season and recently topped the table. However a recent dip in form has resulted in dropped points against Partick Thistle and Dundee as well as an exit in the League Cup at the hands of Aberdeen. Despite this, the Accies still sit in second place in the SPFL table. Hamilton's last game saw them secure a last minute point against Partick in a topsy turvy game after losing a two goal advantage, something that did not best please Alex Neil, citing defensive lapses as the reason behind the mini collapse.
 
Caley Thistle have been effective in shutting out attacking opposition so far this season, having only conceded 10 goals in 13 games. Hamilton are not only flying high in the SPFL; their players occupy 1st, 2nd and joint 3rd in the leagues top scorers table. Saturday will be a test for the Accies goal machines.
 
IN THE PAST
These two sides are no strangers to facing each other in top of the table clashes, ICT and Hamilton headed up the table after one game in the 2008/2009 season. The sides met in Inverness on match day two. Recently promoted Hamilton were an unknown commodity in the Highland capital having never played a competitive league match against ICT. Hamilton’s Richard Offiong capitalised on a Jamie Duff mistake to score the only goal of the game. Inverness would be relegated at the end of this campaign.
 
Six years later, the teams met each other in the opening game of this campaign. ICT comfortably dispatched the newly promoted Accies at New Douglas Park after goals from Ryan Christie and Billy McKay. Hamilton travel to Saturday’s game having never lost a league game in Inverness. They will be eager to continue this streak and gain ground over a team who can continue to challenge them throughout the season.
 
We did of course knock Hamilton out of the Scottish cup on the 22nd February 2003 in Inverness winning 6-1 after going behind to a Martin Bonnar goal in the second minute (I see a theme here). A shock looked likely but a brace from the prolific Dennis Wyness and a couple from Barry Robson along with a Paul Ritchie strike and a Stuart McCaffrey header saw 1st division Inverness progress at the expense of the then 2nd division Accies. It was merely revenge for Accies coming North in January 1997 and dumping Inverness out of the cup by 3-1. Iain Stewart had headed the opener after 12 minutes, but Sean McEntegart equalised soon after. The Accies took over in the second half and a certain Mr Ritchie scored twice to put Accies into the next round.
 
Ahh, those were the days..............
 
TEAM NEWS
Inverness will be without long term absentee Richie Foran. The Irishman is yet to feature for the Caley Jags this season. Other than that it's a clean bill of health for the Highlanders.
 
Hamilton appear to have no new injury worries ahead of the game and Jesus García Tena is back in training, but Grant Gillespie is suspended.
 
KEY PLAYERS
Josh Meekings (Inverness CT) – The 22-year-old is set to make his 100th appearance for the club on Saturday. The back line for Inverness will be key to shutting out a Hamilton side capable of scoring goals.
 
Billy McKay (Inverness CT) – The stuttering striker scored his only goal of the season against Hamilton. With the recent addition of Ibra Sekajja to the squad, McKay will need to start scoring to ensure he continues to start.
 
Anthony Andreu (Hamilton) – The Frenchman tops the SPFL scoring charts with six goals. Andreu has first hand experience of working under John Hughes during his spell at Livingston. The midfielder’s late strike salvaged a point against Partick Thistle last weekend. A player of his calibre could certainly be a thorn in ICT’s side.
 
Dougie Imrie (Hamilton) – The former Inverness CT player is in his second spell at Hamilton having left Morton in the summer. The 31-year-old has a habit of scoring in Inverness and will need to be watched closely.
 
PROC'S PREDICTOR
This will come down to Inverness’ ability to take their chances in front of goal. While Hamilton have proven that they are a side capable of scoring, ICT have been solid at the back all season. If McKay can find his goal scoring form again then another home win is on the cards.
By Proctor in Previews 2014-15 ·

Celtic -V- Inverness CT - SPFL

Teaser Paragraph:
Bhoys just edge it.
 
 
Celtic jumped over Inverness with a narrow win at Parkhead thanks to an early second half goal from in form striker John Guidetti. The hosts were well on top in terms of possession as expected but with the game drawing to a close, Inverness squandered two or three guilt edged chances to level the game as our out of form striker fluffed his lines and Watkins and Tremarco were denied by Zaluska who clawed away an injury time effort. The game ended with Celtic claiming all three points and Inverness maybe ruing the fact that they never took the game to Celtic earlier as we finished on the front foot but just short of taking something from the game.
 
John Hughes sprung a wee surprise before a ball was kicked by putting under fire striker Billy McKay on the bench and promoting Carl Tremarco into the starting X1.Graeme Shinnie moved to left midfield to accommodate Tremarco as Yogi looked to deny Celtic room to move around our box. Celtic had a stronger line-up on the park than they did in the first encounter this season, but Craig Gordon was carrying a niggle and Lucasz Zaluska deputised for the big Scottish keeper with Mubarak Wakaso earning a start over Callum McGregor.
 
It was clear from the off that Inverness would be looking to frustrate the Hoops for as long they could and this would mean a busy afternoon for our back four, and a lonely day out for Marley Watkins.
 
Despite our intent, it was Shinnie that had the first pot at goal but Zaluska saved easily before Celtic went into attacking mode. We lived somewhat dangerously as the green machine surged forward and swarmed around our penalty box but Tremarco was showing his worth at the back and Shinnie was able to carry the ball forward when we broke up Celtic's play. However our forays forward were sporadic to say the least although we did win a couple of corners in a first half dominated by the hosts,
 
John Guidetti headed over after twelve minutes as we dug ourselves in and Wakaso had a shot deflected by Tremarco as Celtic looked for an opener. With half an hour gone, Virgil Van Dijk unleashed a long range shot which stung Brill's hands, the keeper standing tall to deny the Dutch player. Stokes was next to shoot at the target but his effort fizzed wide as Celtic piled on the pressure. It was now one way traffic as the visitors buzzed around our half with menacing intent.
 
Brill was left looking like a subbuteo goalie as a Scott Brown shot whistled just the wrong side of the post, the keeper stranded and wrong footed, but relieved to see the ball flash behind.
 
However, Yogi's tactics seemed to be paying off as half time approached. Celtic dominating possession, Inverness stubborn in defence and the last chance of the half, like the first one, fell again to Shinnie, but his curling strike from just outside the box dipped just over the bar and at the break it was so far, so good.
 
Half Time 0-0
 
Four minutes after the break and Inverness fell behind to a disputed goal. Nothing wrong with the finish from Guidetti as he jinked into the box and wrong footed Brill, but it all came about as a result of a dubious challenge in the Celtic half where Inverness stopped for a second expecting a free kick for a challenge on Williams. Stokes needed no second invitation as he headed down the left before feeding Guidetti who scored in style. Rough justice for Inverness who had stood up well to the onslaught of the first half.
 
Guidetti was soon involved again, trying to claim a penalty after tumbling in the box, his claims waived away much to the annoyance of the home players and crowd, Guidetti and Draper booked for arguing the toss over the incident as Inverness survived this and the next few minutes as Celtic pushed for a second goal.
 
Unperturbed, Inverness were still in the game as Celtic's one goal lead started to look catchable. Inverness almost levelled as they burst forward but Williams could only dig the ball out and over the bar when he should have made the keeper work. This gave Inverness fresh hope and they soon carved out another swift break forward and should have done better when they were five on three, but one too many passes saw the ball being difficult to tee up and Shinnie's shot was deflected just wide. From the resultant corner Watkins blazed one over from a promising position.
 
The tide was turning though and the game became more stretched.
 
Inverness went for broke in the last quarter with attacking substitutions as McKay, Christie and Doran entered the fray. It almost paid off as we took the game to Celtic who had been unable to kill of their visitors. Tansey shot over after Doran unselfishly set him up and Celtic's lead was beginning to look fragile.
 
As the ninety minutes neared Celtic had a triple let off. Tremarco headed over from six yards and took a clash of heads at the same time as van Dijk challenged him. Billy McKay couldn't score in a brothel right now and that showed as he mishit a shot when he should have blasted it home from five yards and right at the death a Watkins header was saved at point blank range and Tremarco had Zaluska clawing the ball away when it looked as though we were about to snatch a point from the jaws of defeat.
 
Full Time 1-0
 
 
tm4tj MotM:- Marley Watkins once again played well, and in the lone strikers role, but with the defence working overtime in the first half especially our defenders stood firm. Tremarco slotted in brilliantly and almost scored but for his ability to keep the talented Celtic front players in check, Josh Meekings gets my vote.
 
Carl chats to wee Davie after the game, & Yogi dispels some myths ................
 
  
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 01/11/14 Venue: Parkhead   Attendance: 42,553
Referee: Craig Thomson
 
Celtic : 1
 
Lineup: Zaluska, Izaguirre, Van Dijk, Brown, Guidetti (Griffiths 80), Stokes, Mulgrew, Denayer, Lustig (Matthews 63), Johansen, Wakaso (McGregor 70).
Subs (not used): Fasan, Ambrose, Scepovic,  Kayal.
Scorers: Guidetti
Booked: Mulgrew, Wakaso
Sent Off: none
 
Inverness CT : 0
 
Lineup: Brill, Raven, Shinnie, Vincent (Mckay 70), Warren, Meekings, Draper (Doran 82), Watkins, Tansey, Tremarco, Williams (Christie 70)
Subs (not used): Esson, Ross, Devine, Polworth,
Scorers: none
Booked: Tremarco, Draper
Sent Off: none
 
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By tm4tj in Reports 2014-15 ·

Celtic -V- Inverness CT - SPFL

Teaser Paragraph:
Inverness looking for the double
 
 
 
Inverness make the arduous trip to the East end this weekend to face Ronny Deila's resurgent side in a game that could see Celtic hit the top spot if results go their way.

Inverness had a free midweek as Celtic rampaged into the semi-finals of the League Cup with a 6-0 win over ten man Partick Thistle to join the Rangers, Aberdeen and Dundee United in the hat for the draw. John Guidetti scored a hat-trick against the hapless Jags. I wonder if the Glasgow clubs will get the mandatory safe passage into the finals or will we break from tradition and get an Old Firm derby semi? Mickey Mouse cup anyway this season.

Last week saw Inverness overcome Dundee United with a Marley Watkins goal settling the game. United had started the brightest but before the end, Inverness were well on top and the only gripe is that they should have made more of the opportunities that came their way. However, three points off the Arabs will do and that result moved us level on points with the Accies at the head of the table, the first quarter of the season already over.

Celtic limbered up with a comfortable 2-0 win over Killie last Sunday, and they also had a player sent off. It was an emphatic win with Killie doing well to minimise the damage after the sending off of their captain, Manuel Pascali ten minutes before the break.

Celtic are the top scorers in the league with 22 goals compared to our 15. There's little between the defences though, Celtic conceding 1 less than us having played one game less. Celtic's goals for has been boosted by two games in particular. A 6-1 thrashing of Dundee United and a 5-0 pumping of Ross County. We have failed to score more than two in any league game so far, although we did come out on top when the sides met at Inverness in August, courtesy of an own goal. That day, Celtic were off the back of Euro football and a much changed squad faced Inverness. I doubt we will be afforded the same opponents this time as Celtic look to climb the table.

Inverness are as near full strength as they can be. Ryan Christie is clear of suspension and Ross Draper kept a clean sheet last week so he is still available. Richie Foran is the only skiver with his long term injury. Ibra Sekajja never made it onto the park against United but could be an option given the lean spell for Billy McKay at the moment. James Vincent filled the gap well last week with an industrious performance in central midfield and looks a good bet to continue.

Celtic gave Leigh Griffiths some air time in the League Cup and he scored a couple after coming on as a second half substitute. Kris Commons is close to a return but James Forrest and Derk Boerrigter remain out. Aleksandar Tonev is unavailable for Celtic as the club's appeal against his alleged racism remark has not been lodged on time.

tm4tj Prediction:- The humiliating defeat handed out to Partick in midweek has made our task all the more difficult and nobody will be expecting anything other than a cakewalk for Celtic. It's difficult to see past a home win as the Bhoys go on a scoring spree. They dished out big licks to us last season scoring eleven in two months without reply at Parkhead. That was a far cry from the encouraging 2-2 draw we started last season with. So maybe it's not all doom and gloom as results can be achieved at Parkhead, but pay them too much respect and they will be all over you like a rash. I'm going for a cheeky point in the hope that our defence concentrates for the whole game and blunts Celtic's sharp attack. We haven't scored three at Parkhead since Feb8th 2000 and it seems unlikely that we will this week given the disparity in the squads. But then again, there was plenty of distance between the sides then.

The Caley Jags were not the only winners last weekend. Shoot for the boot dished out £300



 
By tm4tj in Previews 2014-15 ·

Inverness CT -V- Dundee Utd - SPFL

Teaser Paragraph:
Inverness back on top



Inverness leapfrogged over Dundee United to draw level with Hamilton Accies at the top of the table after a deserved win over the Arabs, despite the tight scoreline.

United started the brightest with some slick interplay, pressed Inverness onto the back foot and rattled the home post, but once Marley Watkins opened the scoring after eleven minutes, there was no looking back as Inverness took the game to their much fancied visitors.

Inverness should have added a couple more but United defended bravely and blocked a number of goalbound efforts and that resulted in Watkins strike being the only goal of the game.

James Vincent returned to the starting X1 with Ryan Christie suspended, but Aaron Doran, Ibra Sekajja and Nick Ross all began on the bench. United as expected were minus Paul Paton and Mark Wilson, both players involved in an internal investigation at Tannadice after an altercation on Ashton Lane that left Celtic's Lukasz Zaluska with a black eye. Ryan Dow started in Paton's absence.

A cold blustery autumnal afternoon saw United out of the blocks quickest and they looked likely to score with a series of tidy interplays and flicks around the hosts penalty area, opening up the home defence rather too easily for my liking.

United squandered a couple of early opportunities, Erskine shooting over and Fojut missing with a header. However, after five minutes, Chris Erskine cracked one off the base of Brill's post as the keeper dived full length to his right and got a fingertip to the ball, United getting a corner as a result. The visitors looked as though they meant business at this point as the home fans puffed their cheeks, but that was about to change.

Inverness worked the ball out wide on the right to David Raven and his low cross was cleared. Vincent battled to retrieve the ball and Greg Tansey picked it up as it broke back to him, his diagonal cross to the front post was brilliantly knocked home by a sliding Marley Watkins who was first to react as he beat his markers to the ball.

Danny Williams tried his luck with a dipping volley from distance after the ball sat up nicely for him, but it looped just over the bar. Meekings should have scored with a header from a Tansey corner, but it was cleared off the line by Rankin with the keeper beaten and turned away to safety.

It was Inverness that were now in control and Tansey shot wide as the hosts turned the screw, but the cushion of a second goal was not forthcoming. Just before the break, Meekings thundered a pacey cross behind Brill and just outside the posts, an important intervention to keep Inverness ahead at the interval.

Half Time 1-0

It's not happening for Billy McKay so far this season and the fans frustration was evident as he fluffed his lines when through on goal. He should have taken a leaf out of the Iain Stewart book of lobbing goalies, but instead appeared to kick the ground or possibly even fresh aired and Cierzniack gathered the ball. But Billy is a trier if nothing else and he soon was at it again, firing an angled drive from the left, the keeper saving at the expense of a corner.

Although we were almost in total control, we got lucky when Ciftci escaped down the left, but with Brill in no mans land, he gathered Ciftci's attempted strike to keep us ahead.

Inverness were soon back in charge but United were getting bodies in the way as we tried to double our advantage. We appeared to choose the wrong option at times and our shooting boots were left in the dressing room as players slid around on the soft surface. Shots were raining in around the visitors goalmouth but too often they were charged down or wayward, McKay again being unfortunate to draw a blank as he swivelled and volleyed, but hit the marking defender.

Vincent almost marked his return with a goal after rushing into the box, but he poked his effort just wide when it looked simpler to score, the fans in the North stand returning to their seats in disbelief.

United tried to salvage something from the game but in all honesty Inverness saw out the game pretty comfortably despite not being able to add to their tally.

Full Time 1-0

A game that started brightly for United, but they were well beaten long before the end, although Inverness could have been out of site sooner had they made more of their opportunities. Some shooting practice required this week in training and Billy needs a goal soon to get his confidence back. Sekajja never got on the park today, I suspect that was due to our inability to get a second goal. Nick Ross was the sub for Billy as Hughes held on to what we had.

   

tm4tj MotM:- With Billy not scoring, it's reassuring to have Marley Watkins finding the back of the net and he was my MotM. Greg Tansey won the midfield battle and Josh Meekings made some timely interceptions and still found time to assist the attack. James Vincent made a telling contribution on his return to a more familiar central midfield role; he had been wasted playing wide previously.

Another man worthy of mention is Scotty. All the way from Canada to see his team record this win. Enjoy the rest of your break boss.   

Oh, there was one more. Shoot for the boot was accomplished in the half time entertainment. Well done that man and 300 smackeroonies for your troubles.                     

 
 
 
 
Inverness CT: Brill, Raven, Shinnie, Vincent, Warren, Meekings, Mckay (Ross 76), Draper, Watkins, Tansey, Williams. Subs not used: Esson (GK), Doran, Sekajja, Devine, Tremarco, Polworth.

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Dillon (Townsend 57), Fojut, Ciftci, Rankin, Armstrong (Bilate 66), Mackay-Steven, Watson (Spittal 66), Morris, Erskine, Dow. Subs not used: Szromnik (GK), Bilate, Telfer, Connolly, Smith.

Booked:- Townsend, Rankin

Referee: Kevin Clancy.

Attendance: 3,508.
 


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By tm4tj in Reports 2014-15 ·

Inverness CT v Dundee United - SPFL

Teaser Paragraph:
Bring along a friend for a fiver
 
 
A tough home fixture this weekend as Inverness prepare to face the Arabs in what promises to be an entertaining game for only a fiver (if you have a friend). They are the second top scorers in the division although they have conceded four more than Inverness. Based on that we should be looking at goals this Saturday.

Dundee United can be a handful when they are in full flow as we have witnessed before, circa the 0-5 cup thrashing meted out less than a year ago. On closer inspection, we shot ourselves in the foot that day with some comedy defending and ended the game with nine men. Not a good idea playing the free scoring United. Strangely enough, Willie Collum was referee that day as well, he was the man in the middle last weekend where he booked eight and sent off Ryan Christie. We are spared that ignominy against United as Kevin Clancy is the man in charge come 3:00pm on Saturday. Let's hope he allows the game to flow better than the stop start affair last weekend and the fans can enjoy a footballing extravaganza instead of an ego trip for the man in the middle. He has not refereed us yet this season, but he did dish out seven yellow cards last Friday in the Hamilton Aberdeen game.

Ach well, you pays your money, you takes your chance!
 
As the heading says, bring along a friend for a fiver. Here's a wee fun quiz ahead of the Arabfest...........
 


RossP has scoured the internet and has scribed this preview for us
 
It’s second against third this weekend, with both teams keen to catch Hamilton Accies who are currently marching towards Champions League football in style. There will be plenty of interest in this game from fans and media alike, but unfortunately it’ll be due to the front page stories that have this week clouded Dundee United’s solid start to the season. I will avoid talking about those issues though by focusing on the game in hand. Inverness will look to attack from the very start, to strike a blow to United’s good form and keep pundits talking about how we are punching above our weight. A win would also give us some revenge for United knocking us out of the Scottish Cup last season.
 
Previous meetings/current form
As a betting man, I’ll be putting my money on there being goals in this game. In the last 27 meetings between the sides there has only been one 0-0 draw, with 15 of those games having both teams scoring. United are currently the second highest scorers in the division with goals being spread around the team, indicating that it will be a tough ask to get a clean sheet. Despite their lofty position in the league table, their players and fans have spoken openly about the below par performances that they are putting on the pitch. Their recent 1-0 win at home to Partick Thistle was a particular worry for the team, where they were very fortunate to escape with three points. Both teams flooded their midfield which perhaps nullified any creative, free flowing football and that unfortunately could be the order of the day on Saturday as well, given our likely formation.
 
Inverness have also been inconsistent with performances since our fantastic early season form dipped. A defeat to Aberdeen and draw to Ross County preceded last weekend’s 1-0 win away to a toothless St Mirren. We were perhaps unlucky not to be further ahead at the break with several chances dropping to a hardworking (but currently goal shy) Billy Mckay. The second half saw one of our best defensive displays, with the organised two banks of four restricting the Buddies to wayward long range efforts. That result was essential considering the magnitude of getting results from this weekend’s game and our next game against Celtic.
 
Dangermen
Nadir Ciftci  is a player who likes to take a game by the scruff of the neck to influence it… just ask Graeme Shinnie in last year’s League Cup win! There is plenty of evidence to suggest he is a player who could be perceived as lazy or petulant, but the moments of brilliance he’s shown on the pitch since joining in 2013 have lit up the SPFL. His close control and ability to hold the ball up as a lone striker has allowed United to play with a very attacking midfield who are all capable of scoring goals. Highland lads Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay Steven are offered a lot of space when Ciftci is marked closely and with Chris Erskine and Ryan Dow, they have contributed to most of their team’s goals in recent seasons.
 
John Rankin in between his jobs as a Herbalife salesman, PFA Scotland chairman and football commentator has been outstanding with Paul Paton at the centre of Dundee United’s midfield. As an ex-Inverness and Ross County player we are well aware of his abilities to spread play quickly up the pitch, in addition to being able to score the odd spectacular long range effort, but it has been in his latter years that his defensive abilities have shone. ‘Mopping up’ in front of his defenders and giving the ball to the more attacking players ahead of him has given his team a counter attacking, direct style that has suited their blend of pace and skill. He will be operating in the area of the pitch that Ryan Christie would have played, so perhaps Hughes will consider going with a two man attack to either move Rankin further back or give him licence to wander further forward, which would then create spaces for us to utilise.
 
Latest team news
Inverness Caledonian Thistle like last previous weeks are only missing club captain Richie Foran through injury. This weekend will see Ryan Christie and Ross Draper miss out however, due to suspension. John Hughes will have plenty to ponder over who to utilise to replace the creativity of the former and the battling qualities of the latter. I would like to see Vincent or Polworth brought into the Draper position – however I fully expect Hughes to move Williams or Shinnie into that role, perhaps in an effort to match the running of Stuart Armstrong. I have longed for a return to the side for local lad Nick Ross who is one of the best passers in the team and Saturday’s game provides an excellent opportunity for him to have an impact. Again though, I anticipate Hughes moving one of our wider players, like Doran, into the Christie role. ***Update on availability is that Ross Draper has not quite passed the bookings threshold, not for the want of trying some might say, but he will be available for selection this weekend.
 
Dundee United are hopeful that Hull City loanee Conor Townsend, John Souttar and Mario Balati will all return to the squad following injury layoffs. Paul Paton and Mark Wilson have both been ruled out whilst the club carries out an internal investigation into their recent off the pitch antics. At least Stuart Armstrong is getting some practice for the law degree that he is currently studying…
 
 
RossP Prediction: For ICT to get anything from this game we are going to have to put on one of our strongest defensive performances of the season. The direct running of Dow, GMS, Armstrong and Ciftci is one of the league’s most prolific attacking forces and will provide a strong test for the likes of Raven and Shinnie, who have struggled with similar attacking style recently against Partick Thistle. This may be the game that Hughes changes our formation to a 4-4-2, to force the Dundee United defence of former ICT trialist Callum Morris and recent signing Jarosław Fojut deeper than they would like to be. I would like to see us pepper Radosław Cierniak’s goal with shots and crosses, as it will be through his poor handling that we will have our greatest opportunity to score. Polworth and Tansey are vital to this tactic with their long range shooting accuracy and I could see Billy Mckay getting back on the goal trail tapping home any scraps in the box. In terms of a result, I can see us being backed into the ropes for much of the game, but should we get the first goal I can see that being a big body blow to Dundee United’s chances of getting back into the game – hence my prediction of a 2-1 win with us conceding from an attack late on in the lane. Game, I mean game.  
By RossP in Previews 2014-15 ·

St Mirren -V- Inverness CT - SPFL

Teaser Paragraph:
Willie's Yellow Fever
 
 
 
Inverness took all three points North despite the best efforts of the incompetent Willie Collum who ruined the game as a spectacle with a treble hat-trick of bookings culminating in the sending off of Ryan Christie. What on earth was Collum thinking about? Was he trying to get into the Guiness book of records as yellow lit up St Mirren Park. 26, 27, 28 - 36, 41, 42 - 44, 47 and 49. No, that's not the lottery numbers, it's the times within a 23 minute period that the clown in charge flashed his cards and stifled the willingness of players from both sides to get too enthusiastic about the game, resulting in a dour stop start affair with a Greg Tansey penalty just before half time sealing the win.

If the SPFL want to encourage fans to go and watch live football, then they need to have a word with these egomaniacs and get them to understand that without spectators, we won't be needing referees. Bring back the men from Luxembourg, our lot could certainly learn something from them.

RossP will have a full report when he returns...................erm, assuming he is returning from somewhere.
 
Honesty is the best policy
This match report will be slightly different to my usual pieces of writing, in that I’ll be reviewing a match that I didn’t actually manage to attend! Having made plans to travel to the game once I’d picked up wedding rings from Glasgow in the morning, the missus and I were gutted to be told that (despite assurances) the rings had not arrived – which then led to us cancelling the car journey down on the morning of the game. I remember once reading about a journalist getting sacked after fabricating a glowing review of a Meatloaf gig that unbeknownst to him was actually cancelled… so rather than going down that route I’ve pieced together my account of the dedicated MFR2 radio coverage I listened to, the match highlights I’ve watched and the reviews from the various message boards which cover the match.

Team lineups
Inverness sprung a surprise by replacing Aaron Doran with Danny Williams on the left wing, a move that has led to fans suggesting a link to Doran’s frustration shown when substituted against Ross County. Hopefully this is not the case as with suspensions and injuries likely arriving very soon we need every player pulling in the same direction. The rest of the team were as predicted, playing in the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.

St Mirren kept a winning team together, with the only change being Drury replacing the injured Wylde in the midfield.

On the pitch
The first half was interrupted with Willie Collum wearing his pencil down from persistent bookings – 7 in total for 45 minutes! Reports from fans range between a shambolic performance from the man in the middle, giving cautions for very little, to some saying that it was our own players naivety and persistent fouling leading to Collum’s firm approach to the match.

In amongst the card issuing, the game was reduced to St Mirren shooting waywardly from distance and a more direct approach from Inverness than usual leading to several chances in the penalty area. First a Billy Mckay goal was chalked off as offside following a cross from Shinnie in 20 minutes. Looking at the replays it seems a very marginal decision where perhaps only his body leaning forward took him into an offside position. Mckay was thwarted again soon after, with his touch altering the direction of a Ryan Christie shot into the keeper’s body. We soon took the lead though after Marc McAusland wanted Gary Warren’s shirt before the full time whistle. An easy decision for the referee to award a penalty, as the top was nearly over his head by the time the ball arrived in the box. Greg Tansey stepped up and powered an unstoppable shot wide to the keeper’s left. One final important piece of action was where Ryan Christie picked up his first booking for persistent fouling, a decision that most fans online have agreed with.

Half Time 0–1
St Mirren were straight on the front foot from kick off, carving out an opportunity for Drury at the corner of the penalty area where he drove the ball into the side netting. Collum was also quick to get involved again with his notebook as he issued his 8th card of the day, this time to St Mirren’s Marwood before then changing the nature of the game by giving Ryan Christie his marching orders. Looking at the challenge several times online I actually agree with Collum’s assessment of the incident, where the cliché of Christie’s ‘youthful exuberance’ led him to make a rash challenge on John McGinn from a near seated position after winning the ball initially from Kenny McLean. Despite going for the ball, the challenge looked dangerous and would have resulted in potential injury for McGinn had his leg been planted.

St Mirren immediately looked to get on the front foot with the ineffective Reilly being replaced by former Hibee Ross Caldwell, followed by Brown coming on for Man City loanee Drury. In response Inverness adopted a 4-4-1 formation with the two banks of four moving extremely well as a unit, restricting St Mirren to long passes to the strikers or shots from distance. Dean Brill saved a deflected drive from McGinn very well and Carl Tremarco managed to block a shot directed at goal by St Mirren right back Jason Naismith. Looking at the replay it appears the home players and fans who claimed for handball may have had a point, with Tremarco appearing to stop the shot with his legs but his arms then definitely stop the ball’s momentum once it was on the ground. One final chance came the Buddies way with an additional time goal mouth scramble, which Inverness cleared by the unusual method of Shinnie battering the ball off David Raven’s face.
 
Full Time 0-1

RossP review: I’m delighted with the 3 points against a team coming into form, at their own ground. These points are especially welcomed when we have games versus Dundee United and Celtic coming up. It’s disappointing to lose Christie and Draper to suspension, but hopefully the likes of Polworth, Ross and Doran bust a gut to compete for their positions whilst they are missing. Glowing praise has been heaped on the organisation shown by the defence after the red card, by home and away fans and rightly so. We should count ourselves lucky to have such a talented backline and it can only be a matter of time before Josh Meekings and Graeme Shinnie move on. Billy Mckay showed some good touches to bring others into play and was unlucky not to get himself back on the scoresheet. His challenger for the lone striker role didn’t impress as we had hoped, with a lack of confidence noted when one on one with the less mobile Jim Goodwin and then a poor unorthodox finish when he should have used his weaker foot to get his debut goal.
 

 
 
     
 
Date: 18/10/2014   Venue: St Mirren Park    Attendance: 3109    Referee: Willie Collum  
 
St Mirren: 0 Lineup: Kello, Naismith, Kelly, McAusland, Goodwin, McGinn, McLean, Drury (Brown 65), Marwood, Reilly (Caldwell 56), Ball Subs:- Ridgers, Caldwell, Tesselaar, Brown, Baird, Williams, Mallan Scorers: - Booked: Naismith, Reilly, McAusland, Marwood Sent Off: None   Inverness CT: 1 Lineup: Brill, Raven, Meekings, Warren, Shinnie, Draper, Tansey, Watkins (Vincent 66), Williams (Tremarco 69), Christie, McKay (Sekajja 78) Subs:- Esson, Devine, Tremarco, Vincent, Doran, Ross, Sekajja Scorers: (Tansey, 43 Penalty)
Booked: Watkins, Draper, Meekings, Christie
Sent Off: Christie (second yellow)
By tm4tj in Reports 2014-15 ·

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