We aren't exactly in amazing form going into this.  What do you think the starting line up should be?

 

I think we have a few problems with the '3' in our 4-2-3-1.  You need a great ball player like Andy Shinnie in the middle or failing that a dynamic player who can make things happen, make runs, have a shot and we don't really have either.  The game yesterday we seemed to have three wingers in the '3' and it didn't work that well, especially in the second half.  Greenhalgh didn't impress me, he did well when he hit the post but didn't contribute much else.  Doran was good, he is shooting more this season, hopefully trying to replace Shinnie as a regular goalscorer and hsi deliver from set pieces is excellent.  Nick Ross seems to just be Nick Ross - solid 6/10 doesn't do much wrong but doesn't actually influence the game that much or make much happen. 

 

In terms of changing the players in the '3' there are a couple of options.  Liam Polworth could come in and play centrally, which we tried in Perth and wasn't a great success.  We could bring in Marley Watkins who showed some good touches when he came on for a cameo yesterday.  Polworth lacks experience and we saw in the last derby what happened to Conor Pepper but he offers more of a presence physically and can hold the forward line together.  Watkins looks dangerous but is coming back from injury and would still leave us with three wingers.  I'd be inclined to put Watkins in for Greenhalgh but I could see Butcher sticking with the same XI as yesterday.  Maybe Watkins is best from the bench.

 

As for the rest of the side, I think it picks itself, assuming we have no injury worries.  Our back four didn't do as well as we have been used to this season yesterday but the four of them are pretty obviously the best we have.  Draper and Foran will be the key men if we are going to get a result in Dingwall, we succeeded last season against County by dominating midfield and we need both the players in there to play the way they did earlier in the campaign - breaking up play, using the ball well and coming out top in the physical battles.  County have Kettlewell, Brittain and Quinn in a central area meaning that this is probably their strongest area on the pitch, despite losing Lawson and Vigurs in close season.  I wouldn't think about dropping Brill, the mistake for the goal is just one of those things that happens, he's been solid and consistent for the rest of this season.  Also, McKay is the only choice up front.

 

Looking forward to going to Dingwall, confirmed that I've got a ticket today.  I was there for the 3-3 cup game, a great atmosphere from our fans during the game on the train home.  Anyone thinking of taking any flares etc (the nautical fireworks not the cutting edge of Dingwall fashion) might want to think twice as I imagine the police will be cracking down heavily on it after them getting lobbed about last season and the linesman getting hit by a smokebomb in the Spurs-Villa game.  I wonder if we'll be getting filmed by cops from the wendy house again

Devine is nowhere near our worst player. He is just extremely unlucky in the fact he has warren and meekings ahead of him. He would start for most SPFL sides

I really rate Devine. Definitely needs to be played as a centre half though.

 

 

devine?? possibly our worst player!

 

 

He had a poor game against St J, but has delivered in games last season, if he was as bad as you think then the club wouldnt have kept him for this year. There are others who IMO have performed worse this season and still get touted for starting positions.

 

Personally I want to see the best team start for the tactics we need to win, an experienced team who can go to Dingwall - last away game we were out muscled and over run in the midfield - teams know if they kill our 3 of Doran, Ross & A.N other then Billy gets no service - we need to control the midfield and get Foran using his physicaility to support Billy and hold up the ball.

 

personally I think he is not that good but he has had a few good (especially the game against Dundee utd last season)  games and probably if he had more game time he would be a better player.

I'd like to see Polworth and Christie start. Local boys, and all that.

 

Great to have local lads in the team but only if they are better or at least as good as the alternatives. Maybe not quite yet.

I'd like this sort of team. 

 

Brill

 

Raven Warren Meekings Shinnie 

 

Doran Foran Draper Ross 

 

Watkins

 

McKay 

I see the fellow on the ICT Podcast reckons like me, that Dingwall is too narrow for wingers and Toby up-top is the way to go.  He's absolutely right.  Players like Doran and particularly Greenhalgh need space to be effective during open play and with such a narrow field and County attempting every inch of space going, playing two wingers either side simply will not work.  It's not rocket science!

 

It's been reported time and again that County's defence have a hard time against pace and height.  The way to go is with three strikers and pinning them back.  Playing like that, breaking through and dominating them from the start could well and truly see the County floodgates open.

I'm inclined to agree with you, Renegade. Out of interest, what was Toby's scoring / games ratio before he joined us?

http://caleythistleonline.com/page/index.html/_/previews-2013-14/ross-county-v-inverness-ct-r1083

 

AJS has written this weeks preview ahead of tonight's game at Dingwall

I'm inclined to agree with you, Renegade. Out of interest, what was Toby's scoring / games ratio before he joined us?

 

He didn't play that often for Brighton IIRC, but his record in Norway was quite good I think (not sure what the standard) was though (Wikipedia says 16 goals in 35 games for Stord - whoever they are!).

DERBY DAY

 

My Team...

 

Brill

 

G.Shinnie Meekings Warren Raven

 

Doran Foran Draper Ross

 

Toby McKay

Found out what the fox says!

Cant believe I'm gonna miss this game.

 

Bought tickets months ago to see the Feeling in Shepard's Bush, does anyone remember them?

 

I have Sky Go on my iPhone but they don't let you access BT Sports, does anyone know how I can stream a live feed to my phone while watching a thorougly pish gig?

 

Thanking you in advance

Wish you were going to the game Zoid! I will cheer the boys on for ya. 

The feeling....   

Cant believe I'm gonna miss this game.

 

Bought tickets months ago to see the Feeling in Shepard's Bush, does anyone remember them?

 

I have Sky Go on my iPhone but they don't let you access BT Sports, does anyone know how I can stream a live feed to my phone while watching a thorougly pish gig?

 

Thanking you in advance

If you have bt internet at home you can log on through your phone. If not I don't think you can :-(

Zoid, go to apps store and download by sport that is how you watch by sport on iPhone username and password are your BT details

Edited October 25, 201311 yr by jonahict

BT showing it free for everyone from 6pm tonight.

BT showing it free for everyone from 6pm tonight.

 

 

Yass, god send for folks like me who can't be there.

 

 

EDIT: I've just switched over and Danny Baker is playing crazy golf with hairdryers. And people normally pay for this. I DESPAIR.

Edited October 25, 201311 yr by ubern

Looks like only bt1 and bt2 is still chargeable.

yeah that what I am getting and the game is on bt2 rather than bt1

OK, had to add this when mentioning the matchday thread is now up:

 

If anyone has a live stream link they could pm me that would grand!

Bt2 is on and free. Beer ready!

bt sport 2 is free tonight, it was off earlier but on now. I think....

Light's out in dingwall...Prosponed.

 

 

The global warming stadium is a joke...

Edited October 25, 201311 yr by Ayeseetee