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Ross County -V- Inverness CT

Eurodoor slammed shut


Inverness were beached at the Global Energy Sandpit when Ross County left us seething and checking lastminute.com for new holiday destinations as we failed to get the result required to send us through the EuroDoor.

Inverness failed to cope with the loss of their entire first choice midfield as Draper, Foran and Jones were all absent for such a crucial game leaving Andy Shinnie ploughing a lone furrow on the Dingwall tattie field. A super strike from Andre Hainault sealed our fate with St Johnstone doing the business to steal the Euro slot from under our feet.

It had been a tremendous season for both clubs leading up to this occasion but it was a bridge too far from our point of view. One trip too many to visit our neighbours who took control of the game and deservedly beat an out of sorts Inverness.

County had a late call off with Paul Gallacher replacing the injured Michael Fraser in goal. To be honest, they needn't have bothered as Inverness never troubled the keeper and County mopped up some weak Inverness attacks which ended on the head of Boyd and Co. Owain Tudur-Jones was a surprise absentee for Inverness who started with young Connor Pepper out wide and Daniel Devine and Charlie Taylor trying to fill the void left by Draper and Foran who were serving bans.

6002 fans turned out and great credit to the Inverness fans who were having a ball, win or lose as they stayed behind to cheer their team long after the final whistle had sounded.

Devine almost got Inverness off to the perfect start but his stabbed effort narrowly missed the target. County responded and Sproule should have opened the scoring after being set up by Vigurs but he clipped his shot over the bar with Reguero helpless.

County were getting to grips with the game and Inverness were rarely seen in an attacking sense and Reguero had to look sharp to deny Mihael Kovacevic after he burst through a gaping void in the Inverness rearguard.

Wohlfarth and Kettlewell both flashed shots just wide as County kept the pace up and Butcher was willing his side to get to the break unbreached. However, a goal was coming and after Inverness failed to clear an attack conclusively Hainault pounced on the loose ball to volley beyond Reguero from around ten yards, the goal coming just a minute before the break. Fotheringham still had time for one last attempt before the whistle but it went straight at Reguero.

Half Time 1-0

Inverness lurked with a bit more intent after the break and Doran fired a volley straight down the keepers throat. Billy McKay almost snatched a leveller after re-directing a shot from Raven but it looped agonisingly wide.

It was better from Inverness but we looked as though we could play all day without scoring. Reguero was doing his best to keep the score down with another fine save, diving low to his right but it was County who were now looking for more although Shane Sutherland almost teed up a strike for Shinnie but Gallacher was alert to it and snuffed out the chance and with it Inverness' Euro dream.

Vigurs almost made it two in the last few minutes as he smacked a free kick off the junction of post and bar for what would have been a spectacular goal and the ref finally ended our day as the beach balls rained onto the pitch with the Inverness fans singing loud and proud on what was a massively disappointing result, but a fabulous season. Even Derek Adams clapped his appreciation, not missed by the Inverness end who quickly boo'd him in response, but the mood remained jovial long after the final whistle, but we were hurting.

Full Time 1-0

tm4tj MotM goes to the away fans who were just brilliant despite the reverse, and Andy Shinnie oozed class but lacked support from those around him.
 
 
 
 
 
19th May 2013 Scottish Premier League Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall Ross County 1 - Hainault (43) TEAM: Gallacher, Kovacevic, Ikonomou, Boyd, Hainault, Lawson, Sproule (Cooper 90), Vigurs, Kettlewell, Fotheringham (Scott 80), Wohlfarth (Glen 67) SUBS: McCarthy, Munro, MacPhee, Porritt
Booked: Sproule (27), Boyd (36), Kettlewell (55) Sent Off: none Inverness CT 0 - TEAM: Reguero, Raven, G.Shinnie, Hogg, Meekings, Pepper (Ross 36), Doran, Devine, Taylor (Sutherland 78), A.Shinnie, McKay
SUBS: Esson, Laing, Polworth, Ferguson, Christie Booked: G.Shinnie (27), Meekings (71), Raven (90) Sent Off: none Referee Euan Norris Attendance 6002
By Scotty in Reports 2012-13 ·

Ross County -V- Inverness CT - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Can we get through the EuroDoor


After a quite remarkable season for a number of reasons, the final piece of the EuroJigsaw will be put in place after the last games of the SPL season are played on Sunday. The EuroDoor was left ajar after last weeks disappointment against the Arabs, but we have another opportunity to step through that door with a season defining derby against Ross County on the Sabbath.

It's still a bit complex, but a Caley Jags win will put our minds at rest. Unfortunately we will have to do that at Dingwall, never an easy place to get a win at the best of times, and against our local rivals, who are still seething from the earlier games played this season. St Johnstone are the other team involved in the Euro shootout and they host Motherwell where they require a win to put pressure on us, but that is against second placed Motherwell, it couldn't be tighter.

Plenty of posturing and gamesmanship going on in the press this week in the build up to the games. Derek Adams can hardly bring himself to say our name in public, shame really as he and his side have also had a fantastic season and it is incredible to think that both Highland teams will finish at the business end of the table with sleeping giants from Edinburgh and Aberdeen languishing in the bottom half of the table and The Rangers only able to compete in the third division. Ian Vigurs has been bumping his gums all week looking to put a spanner in the Inverness works. It's a pity that such a talented player resorts to making these kind of statements, but I suppose he gets as good as he gives when the Caley Jags fans affectionately chant his name during these derby games.

Transfer subject Richard Brittain took a nasty twist of the knee last week but has confirmed that the injury is not as serious as first feared which is good news for him with St Johnstone and Ross County still at loggerheads over his signature although he will be out at least until the start of pre-season. On the theme of missing players, St Johnstone defender Fraser Wright has been cited by the SFA for an elbow incident against Celtic and will miss their crunch match against Motherwell. We fare no better with Richie Foran and Ross Draper both suspended; it's all happening this weekend.

Much has been said about the derby's played out this season. Tremendous entertainment and drama has already unfolded before massed crowds and the last second equaliser in the cup sparked scenes of mass hysteria and histerical observations as Derek Adams was full of seethe, seemingly unhappy about his side being pegged back in the time added on to the time added on.

This crucial game will be played out on a field similar to the terrain covered by the Highland Marchers, that intrepid bunch of Internutters who are at it again, walking from the penultimate game to the final destination. This year it's only twelve miles between Inverness and Dingwall, but no, that's not sufficient for these madmen who have hiked over the sea to Skye and back before Sunday's game, just to keep it interesting. Well done to all taking part and you can give them a cheer as they complete the last few miles on the Sabbath from Strathpeffer to Dingwall in time for the early kick off.

With Brittain, Foran and Draper missing, the midfield battle will be an intriguing one and it won't be for the faint hearted on County's congested tattie field of a battleground. Conditions look as though they may be dry as well which will make it a fiery surface with more sand on it than Nairn beach. Wet conditions will turn it into a quagmire. Let's hope that both sides can conquer the obstacles in front of them and produce another cracking Highland Derby. The world of football will be watching nationwide and what better way to bring the season down than a full blooded spectacle with a Euro prize waiting to be won or lost.

Some players will be playing their last games for Inverness and they will be looking to leave on a high. Andy Shinnie is Birmingham bound and leaves us after a fantastic season where he was capped for his country and was short listed for Scotland's player of the year. Antonio Reguero has proven himself as an able deputy for the oft injured Ryan Esson and he has been tempted down to Kilmarnock. Chris Hogg has won his personal injury battle and recently returned from a career threatening injury but will depart after this game and Shane Sutherland and Gavin Morrison will be looking for new clubs. Let's give them a send off to be proud of.

Terry talks to Auldy Boy ahead of the crucial County derby.
 

 
***Latest Team News***

Inverness as stated above will be without influential captain Richie Foran and Ross Draper, both of whom have picked up too many yellow cards and are suspended. Gary Warren, the fans player of the year is out injured but the signed on again Ryan Esson made the bench last week and there are no other major concerns for this one.

Ross County will miss their captain Richard Brittain who twisted his knee against Motherwell. Defender Branislav Micic and goalkeeper Mark Brown remain out and Rocco Quinn is a major doubt.

tm4tj prediction:- They don't come any tougher than this one. Major players missing out through injuries and suspensions and Inverness needing a win to ensure European football. County needing a win to get one over their Highland rivals and to come out of the shadows. Sometimes the tension and expectations can get too great in this type of game and it passes some players by. However I expect both sides to give their all here and it would be no surprise to see both sides having to settle for a point apiece. I'll go even further and suggest that St Johnstone and Motherwell draw as well thus handing the Euro spot to Inverness. There, I said it! Fingers crossed.
:ictscarf:
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2012-13 ·

Inverness CT -V- Dundee Utd - Report

Euro door is still ajar
 
Inverness failed to clinch a European spot, despite St Johnstone going down heavily against Celtic, after their profligacy enabled Dundee United to steal all three points in a game where missed chances cost Inverness dearly. Last weeks hat-trick hero Billy McKay once more missed a penalty and Doran, Ross, McKay and Shinnie all passed up glorious chances to seal the points. Aaron Doran had opened the scoring but Ryan Dow levelled in a rare United foray forward and the sickener came in injury time when Gary MacKay-Steven knocked home the winner to stun Inverness.
The Euro dream is hanging by a thread, a very thin thread at that after Inverness spurned enough chances to win three games. It was set up nicely earlier in the day as Celtic trounced St Johnstone 4-0 to leave Inverness the relatively straightforward task of beating an understrength Dundee United side to clinch their Europa League slot ahead of Perth and Dingwall, but it was not to be, despite Inverness pushing hard for victory on a blustery afternoon.
It all started promisingly for Inverness with Foran and Shinnie directing shots at Cierzniak in the opening few minutes. It was over ten minutes before United came out of their shell and a lovely MacKay-Steven back heel set up Armstrong for a crack at goal but Meekings saved the day with a block in the six-yard box with Reguero beaten, the ball heading close to the far post. Meekings tried his luck with a free kick, no doubt inspired by his shot last weekend which set up the winner, but this time it was wide of the mark.
There followed an untidy period as neither side were able to exert any sustained pressure although Inverness always held the upper hand and Billy McKay should have done better when he tried to tee up Doran but his pass never quite reached the Inverness man and the defence just squeezed the ball round the post for a corner. You got the feeling it was not going to be McKay's day as he fluffed a volley from twelve yards after Foran and Ross had teed him up with headers, but Billy trundled his shot goalwards allowing the keeper to make a diving save to claw the ball away.
McKay and Doran had shots charged down by the overworked United defence and you could sense that something was about to give, and give it did. However McKay's day of woe would be complete as he passed up a chance from the spot after Rankin had felled Doran. He hit this one firmly enough but Cierzniak guessed correctly diving to his left to keep the ball out.
Andy Shinnie then decided to take matters into his own hands and he tried in vain to get the opener, flashing a couple of attempts wide but Inverness took the lead in style when Aaron Doran turned sharply on the edge of the box and whistled a low shot across and beyond the outstretched arms of the keeper, the ball nestling in the bottom corner. Great goal after some neat interplay, Foran, Hogg, McKay and Raven setting up the chance.
Daly had a chance to level matters just before half time but he headed straight at Reguero from 10 yards when a yard either side would have done the trick. That was about the last action of the first half with Inverness getting a foot in the Euro door.
Half Time 1-0
Inverness came out after the break intent on extending their vulnerable lead and Doran tested Cierzniak before Foran fizzed a shot wide, but it was the visitors who made more headway as Ryan Dow pounced on a knockdown from Draper who was under pressure from the irritating Jon Daly to crash the ball past Reguero from seven yards.
More ebb and flow about the game now and Doran fired one high over the bar. Russell tried a spectacular volley from thirty-five yards as the ball sat up nicely for him but Reguero was alert to it.
Undeterred by this set back, Inverness pushed forward at every opportunity and this would eventually be our downfall. Shots were raining in at both ends and Reguero was fortunate as he flapped at a corner which the defence eventually hacked clear.
With ten minutes left Doran missed a glorious opportunity to get the second foot in the Eurodoor but he blasted a cut back high over the North Stand from ten yards when a simple controlled stab would have done the job.
The Eurodoor was slammed shut for now as United broke swiftly in time added on and MacKay-Steven showed Doran how to execute the trick by side footing home a brisk cross to steal all three points and leave Inverness' season hanging by a sliver.
Still time for Andy Shinnie to bring his last home game to a close in style but Cierzniak was equal to it and that was game over in such disappointing style for the home fans who trudged away dreading the thought of next weeks Highland Derby deciding our seasons fate one way or another.
Full Time 1-2
To summarise, we had enough chances to win this game and next weeks game, but for one reason or another we failed to capitalise on our superiority and United battled hard for their win, fair play to them. We were the architects of our own downfall and it sets it up now for a winners take all weekend next week.
tm4tj MotM:- My award goes to Andy Shinnie in his last home game before heading South. He tried his utmost but those around him were incapable of providing the finishing touches to his link play. No doubt we will be the poorer next season without Andy and good luck to him at Birmingham. Meekings also put in another solid shift and Foran worked himself to a standstill, but it was not enough as United won the day.
With Ross County losing 2-0 on Sunday afternoon, only two teams can now qualify, Inverness or St Johnstone, it is much clearer now what we need to do next weekend.
 
11th May 2013 - Scottish Premier League - Tulloch Caledonian Stadium
  Inverness CT: 1     TEAM: Reguero, Raven, G.Shinnie, Meekings, Hogg, Doran, Ross (Sutherland 87), Foran, Draper (Tudur-Jones 80), A.Shinnie, McKay SUBS: Esson, Polworth, Pepper, Devine, Taylor Scorers: Doran (42) Booked: Draper (54) Sent Off: none     Dundee Utd: 2  
TEAM: Cierzniak; McLean, Daly, Souttar, Dow (Millar 64), Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Gauld (Gardyne 68), Mackay-Steven, Russell (Boulding 73) SUBS: Anderson, Ryan, Tornstrand, Johnston Scorers: Dow (50), MacKay-Steven (90) Booked: Rankin (34), Cierzniak (35)  Sent Off: none   Referee: Crawford Allan Attendance: 3728  
By Scotty in Reports 2012-13 ·

Inverness CT -V- Dundee United - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Pleasure or Pressure?



Dundee United are the visitors on Saturday as the season heads towards a climax where games still have a bearing on the final rewards of an enthralling campaign.

Only two games left and Inverness are still in the hunt for that coveted third place in the SPL which will be rewarded with European football, something alien for Inverness, but much sought after at the end of a tremendous season. Richie Foran has hinted that it's not pressure that they are enduring, but pleasure and playing with a smile on your face helps. Aye right!

With St Johnstone kicking off earlier at 12:15, the Caley Jags task might become clearer by kick off time at 15:00. Should Celtic defeat St Johnstone an Inverness win will guarantee European football before the final games next week. However, it's all ifs and buts and Butcher will take it one game at a time. It could of course still go pear shaped, such is the complexity of the situation.

Games against Dundee United have seen plenty of goals this season, apart from the last one which drew a blank. Twelve goals between them with Inverness scoring eight. The first game in the Highlands saw Inverness run out comfortable 4-0 winners, Richie Foran scoring a brace with Andy Shinnie and Phillip Roberts completing the rout. The reverse game at Tannadice was a cracker. United racing into a three goal lead inside eight minutes before Inverness incredibly went ahead only for United to earn a point with a last gasp Daly penalty. Billy McKay scored a hat-trick that day and Gary Warren scored the other.

Recent form shows that United have lost three consecutive games since their Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic at Hampden Park. We have fared little better, losing two of our three post-split matches, but last weeks thrilling victory over Motherwell fairly put a smile on the fans faces. If Richie is feeling no pressure, he should try sitting in the North Stand, heart stopping stuff.



***Latest Team News***

Inverness will have Richie Foran available before his ban kicks in next week against Ross County, and David Raven returns from suspension to bolster the squad in what will be another crucial game in the race for Europe. Chris Hogg made a fantastic return last week and it will be interesting to see if Butcher goes with his experience or the youthful Danny Devine in defence. Warren, Esson and King are still out.

Dundee United will be without the suspended Barry Douglas after they failed to overturn the red card decision and injuries will rule out Keith Watson, Sean Dillon and Gavin Gunning.



tm4tj prediction:- It's getting too tense to call. I couldn't go through many more ninety minutes like that last week and I will just shut my eyes and hope for the best. United will have players playing to impress new boss Jackie McNamara and on their day they are a stern test for the best of them, let's hope we are just as fired up as we were for our last game and another blistering start will set our over active minds at rest. Any kind of win would be lovely and I'll be chuffed with a 2-1 victory and three points in the bag. :ictscarf:
By tm4tj in Previews 2012-13 ·

CTO Player of the Month - April

Teaser Paragraph:
The race for the coveted CaleyThistleOnline Player of the Year title is still wide open as we enter the final few weeks of the campaign.  Incredibly, at the end of April, no fewer than NINE different players were still in with a chance of lifting the trophy.
 
With only three matches this month, there weren't too many points on offer - and nearly all of them were snaffled up by Josh Meekings, who continued his excellent campaign by earning his second player of the month award, earning the most votes in the matches at home to St Johnstone and at Celtic Park, and coming second to Toni Reguero in the return game in Perth.  The Spanish keeper came in 16 votes behind Josh in second place, with Ross Draper in third.
 
None of the top four players in the standings picked up a single point from any of the games, so Andy Shinnie remains just in front of Billy McKay at the top of the list with only three matches left.
 
Overall quantity of votes cast for each player in April: (Used to decide Player of the Month) Player 05/04 21/04 27/04 TOTAL Josh Meekings 37 9 11 57 Antonio Reguero 20 21 41 Ross Draper 15 3 9 27 Graeme Shinnie 11 3 5 19 Owain Tudur-Jones 10 5 1 16 Richie Foran 5 2 6 13 Danny Devine 5 6 11 Aaron Doran 8 2 10 David Raven 6 1 7 Charlie Taylor 7 7 Billy McKay 2 1 3 Nick Ross 1 1 2 Gary Warren 2 2 Andrew Shinnie 1 1  
Player of the Year Points ~ Current Standings : 2012/13 (Player of Month also highlighted in monthly column) Player AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY TOTAL Andrew Shinnie 11   10  5  6 6  3 1     42 Billy McKay 1   8 8   16 1   5     39 Aaron Doran 3 1 6 9    1 16       36 Richie Foran   21      10     3     34 Owain Tudur-Jones 3   3  2  12 5  6   3   34 Ross Draper 11 6 3   1    4  4 3   32 Gary Warren 5 3 1 4  7     6 5     31 Josh Meekings   1 1     13  1   13   30 David Raven       9 10   5  5     29 Antonio Ruguero     1 8 3        8   20 Graeme Shinnie 3   3     1  1 8     16 Ryan Esson 8 3          1       12 Danny Devine              8       8 Charlie Taylor 5 5 Andre Blackman   5                 5 Conor Pepper   3                 3 Philip Roberts   3                 3 Nick Ross             3       3
By hislopsoffsideagain in News 2012-13 ·

Inverness CT -V- Motherwell - Report

The Real McKay
 
A Billy McKay hat-trick earned Inverness a vital three points in a pulsating encounter in the Highland Capital. He even had the luxury of missing a penalty before securing the points with his third poachers goal of the game. Birmingham bound Andy Shinnie rifled one home in the first half as Inverness blitzed the Steelmen before they staged an amazing comeback to keep the fans on the edge of their seats. James McFadden scored a double and top scorer Michael Higdon converted a penalty as the roller coaster went into overdrive, but it was the hosts who showed their mettle and snatched all three points.
It was a less than pleasant early summers day as the teams took to the park, but it was a momentous day for Chris Hogg as he returned to first team action at the heart of the defence with David Raven and Gary Warren absent. Owain Tudur-Jones found himself on the bench with Nick Ross included in the starting eleven. Motherwell unsurprisingly were unchanged from the side that humped Celtic the previous week.
The game got off to a blistering start and it was the visitors that created the first attacks around the hosts goal, twice in the first couple of minutes. However, Inverness responded by opening the scoring as chief poacher Billy McKay nicked in ahead of the defence at the near post to convert a Meekings cross after a free kick had been charged down by the Motherwell wall.
Just the start Inverness needed and they took the game by the scruff of the neck, attacking Motherwell at pace and creating plenty of optimism amongst the crowd.
Well were being pressed at every opportunity by the hungry Inverness attack and this led to Foran almost scoring a second goal. Randolph played his defence into trouble with a loose pass and Foran latched onto an even looser pass from Hately. He drove into the box exchanging a one-two with Andy Shinnie and almost scored a spectacular goal from a tight angle as he smacked the post with Randolp beaten.
It wouldn't be long before Inverness would extend their lead and McKay turned provider this time as he held up, juggled with the ball then layed off for Andy Shinnie to show why Birmingham want the young Scot as his quick feet took the shot early and the ball whistled low past Randolph for a superb second goal.
The third goal was coming as Inverness went looking for more. A long ball forward by Motherwell aimed at Higdon was dealt with by Meekings and Foran sent Andy Shinnie scampering down the right side with a perfectly weighted through ball. He returned the compliment to McKay who once again got across the defender at the near post to direct the ball into the net for another supeb goal.
Was this really the same team that played so negatively at Perth last week and had the fans doubting their belief. Twenty seven minutes gone and 3-0 to Inverness. Dreamland!
But Motherwell are not second in the league for no reason, and James McFadden threw them a lifeline when he drove a low twenty yarder beyond Reguero to give the Steelmen some hope before the break.
Half Time 3-1
Stuart McCall obviously had a wee word in their ear at the interval and Well came out of the blocks flying and within four minutes Higdon had the ball in the net from the spot. Hogg was adjudged to have clipped Ojaama who had got in behind him, the big striker calmly slotting home the penalty, his seventh goal against Inverness this season.
Enter Henrik Ojamaa, the flying Estonian would play a big part in the next few moments. He found himself in Willie Collum's book for diving, right on the edge of the box after Chris Hogg went near him and shortly after this he almost scored as Motherwell had Inverness on the back foot now and it took a fine block by Reguero to deny him as he raced in on goal.
Inverness should have restored their two goal cushion as Nick Ross was knocked over in the box in a rare break forward. Unfortunately Billy McKay made the job easy for Randolph as his spot kick was weak and predictable, the big keeper diving low to his right to turn the ball away one handed. Two penalties so far and I'm not convinced about either of them.
Inverness struggled to clear a concerted Motherwell attck and Ojamaa fed McFadden who drilled home from eight yards. 3-3 in an incredible game where Motherwell should have been out of site by half-time, but were now looking the most likely to go on and win the game.
Ojamaa then sprinted clear on the right but Nicky Law could not keep his shot down as he curled one a foot over the bar. Henrik's next involvement would be his last. A rash challenge in midfield on Andy Shinnie drew a second yellow from Collum, and off went Henrik.
This turned the game once more and Inverness smelled blood. The outstanding Josh Meekings took the bull by the horns and thundered a 25 yarder towards goal which Randolph did well to parry, diving to his right, but who else, Billy McKay was onto it in a flash to poach his third goal of the game.
Inverness saw out the rest of the game without any more problems, but it was not one for the faint hearted and the three points were much needed with the news that St Johnstone had defeated Dundee United to remain one point adrift of us.
Full Time 4-3
Well well, who would have thunk it! What a game with both sides giving it laldy, a tremendous advert for the SPL and a far cry from some of the dreich stuff we have been subject to lately. Hats off to Chris Hogg in his first team comeback in such a crucial game, just like he had never been away. Loads of heroes today. Billy McKay is the obvious one, but Andy Shinnie was involved in everything. Graeme Shinnie had his finest game in a long time, subduing the speedy Chris Humphrey and Josh Meekings just gets better and better every time I see him play, outstanding. It would be unfair to single out anyone after that performance, but I'll play it safe and go for Billy McKay. He not only scored a hat-trick, he missed a penalty, set up a goal and ran his little cotton socks off..........bless him!
 
4th May 2013 Scottish Premier League Tulloch Caledonian Stadium Inverness C.T. 4 - McKay (3, 27, 84), A.Shinnie (25) TEAM: Reguero, G.Shinnie, Hogg, McKay, Draper, Foran, A.Shinnie (Tudur-Jones 89), Ross, Meekings, Doran, Devine SUBS: Mathieson, Sutherland, Polworth, Pepper, Taylor
Booked: Foran (5), Draper (57) Sent Off: none Motherwell 3 - McFadden (36, 64), Higdon (pen.49) TEAM: Randolph, Hammell, Law, Hutchinson, Hateley, Humphrey (Kerr 81), Ojamaa, Higdon, Lasley, Ramsden (McHugh 85), McFadden
SUBS: Hollis, Higginbotham, Carswell, Francis-Angol, Cummins Booked: Hutchinson (7), Hammell (41), Ojamaa (50), Law (57) Sent Off: Ojamaa (73) Referee Willie Collum Attendance 3857
By Scotty in Reports 2012-13 ·

Inverness CT -V- Motherwell - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
It's in our own hands
 
 
No points from our post split games have seen St Johnstone and Ross County close the gap on ourselves and the possibility of European football is now hanging by a thread, a very thin thread at that.

Motherwell visit Inverness this weekend and they have been our Nemesis this season with three crushing wins so far, averaging four goals per game. The Steelmen have cemented their position in European football with a convincing win last week over champions Celtic and will finish the season in second place, and deservedly so.

We have found it difficult to cope with Motherwell's pace this season and the finishing power of Michael Higdon accompanied by the direct approach of Henrik Ojamaa has given us a torrid time in all three matches. Higdon has scored six times himself and on their last trip to Inverness we suffered our heaviest defeat of the season, a 5-1 trouncing with goals coming from all over the park from Motherwell.

Inverness have been licking their wounds since the split, going down heavily to Celtic and losing to St Johnstone last weekend with David Raven going for an early bath in the 12th minute, a decision that Terry Butcher did not think was worth contesting having reviewed the footage, although many fans believed that a yellow card may have been nearer the truth. It did us no favours however as St Johnstone went on the win by virtue of a solitary second half goal to pull the Perth side to within one point of third placed Inverness.

All is not lost though in the sprint for Europe with Inverness leading the race but struggling to stay ahead as Perth and Dingwall gather momentum. Both clubs still have to play Celtic, but Neil Lennon has already indicated that he will not be fielding his strongest available line up with the League title already wrapped up and the Scottish Cup Final still to come, opting to rest some of his stars which is a tad unfair on some clubs, especially us as we were first to play them after the split in a game which meant something. Ach well, that's life. It might of course do us a favour and rather than rely on results elsewhere, we can do this ourselves by going out and winning games instead of holding out for draws. Difficult one this Saturday and not many fans can see anything other than a convincing win for Motherwell given their performances against us already this season.

Inverness have started the team building for next season already and have all but signed left sided flyer Danny Williams from Kendal Town. Still waiting for for Aaron Doran and Owain Tudur-Jones to put pen to paper.



***Latest Team News***

Inverness will be without the red carded David Raven, banned for one game, which leaves us thin on the ground for experienced central defenders with Gary Warren and Simon King also out through injury. Chris Hogg was sent off in an u20 game during the week where the youngsters defeated their Dundee United counterparts 2-1, our goals coming from Kyle Whyte and Shane Sutherland, who must be knocking on the door for a first team game given his scoring exploits for the youths. Ryan Esson is still injured and Antonio Reguero will continue in goal. Jaggies squad:- Reguero, Taylor, Meekings, Devine, Draper, Tudur-Jones, Doran, Foran, A Shinnie, McKay, Ross, Sutherland, Polworth, Roberts, Hogg, Gibbons, Laing, Pepper, Mathieson.

Motherwell are expected to field an unchanged side from the one that trounced champions Celtic last weekend and Dundee United before that and their squad looks like this, Randolph, Hateley, Hammell, Hutchinson, Ramsden, Law, Lasley, McFadden, Humphrey, Higdon, Ojamaa, Francis-Angol, Kerr, Cummins, Carswell, Higginbotham, McHugh, Hollis.

tm4tj prediction:- It's difficult to see past a convincing win for stuart McCall's men given the results of the previous meetings this season, but something in the back of my mind tells me that we can get something from this game. It might only be a point, but that could prove crucial come the end of the season. James McFadden has been added to the Motherwell squads that ran riot over us earlier this year although that can be countered by the fact that Jamie Murphy has departed; one less tormentor to worry about.
 
:ictscarf:
By tm4tj in Previews 2012-13 ·

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