Ayr Pressure

 

With our Premiership aspirations hanging by a thread, we entertain Ayr United on Saturday with our winless run having been extended to eight games after the 3-3 draw with Partick Thistle, albeit an improved performance, but the end result all too familiar recently. The game is scheduled for 3:00pm on Saturday, weather permitting, with storms due in midweek. Dudley seems to have bypassed Inverness, but Eunice is coming, so fingers crossed it misses us as well, however, snow is forecast so beware. Storm Ayr are coming North fresh from retaining the bragging rights after their excellent derby win over Killie; no pressure then.

MATCH/TICKET/STREAMING INFO

Venue - Head2Head

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	21	10	10	1	35	20	+15
Away	22	10	5	7	42	28	+14
Neutral	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	43	20	15	8	77	48	+29

Last 10 Competitive Meetings

2 - 2 (A)

1 - 0 (H)

2 - 2 (H)

2 - 0 (A)

1 - 1 (H)

0 - 1 (A)

2 - 0 (H)

2 - 0 (A)

1 - 1 (H)

3 - 1 (A)

Loaded heavily in our favour, the stats don't lie, or do they? Only one defeat to Ayr at home on all competitions would seem to make Inverness odds on favourites to win this one. Unfortunately, we, the fans, know better. Our recent form has been poor and we are winless in eight.

The previous encounters this season show a 1-0 win towards the end of August during our opening gambit of the season.

CTO summary: Walsh nicks it: A slightly damp morning opening out into a muggy but calm afternoon in the Highlands made for near perfect conditions for this game. However, the football did not match the weather in a dour first half and it was goalless at the interval. Ayr rattled the top of the stand at the start of the second half as the game came to life. Tom Walsh looked to have opened the scoring when he bundled an inviting cross from Manny Duku behind the keeper after 54 minutes with Sean McGinty in close proximity trying to clear the ball. Joe Chalmers put a shot across the face of the Inverness goal that went narrowly wide. Walsh missed a glorious chance to double the lead moments later but pulled his shot across the face of the goal as well. Robbie Deas also missed an opportunity for a second goal, firing the ball over the bar from a great position inside the box. The game was more open but Inverness held on for their third 1-0 win of the season and top the league jointly with Killie.

In the return fixture at Somerset Park we threw away an early advantage to draw 2-2, the slump was well and trully on. 

Another opportunity missed! At a windy Somerset Park, Inverness took the lead early on when Sean Welsh met a Tom Walsh cross at the back post unchallenged to head into the net. The lead only lasted a couple of minutes as Joe Chalmers scored after a corner with a couple of defenders being grappled to the ground as Chalmers slotted home. Gardyne was causing all sorts of problems and his next angled cross into the box was missed by Mckay but it bounced through and into the goal to give the visitors the advantage at the break. Reading levelled with a low shot eight minutes into the second half, Ridgers not covering his near post sufficiently. No more scoring partly due to Aidan McAdams in the home goal and another great opportunity to get back on top went abegging with Partick winning 1-0 at Rugby Park.

Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Dunfermline v Partick Thistle postponed 1. Arbroath 24 12 9 3 38 18 45 2. Kilmarnock 25 13 4 8 31 19 43 3. Inverness CT 25 10 9 6 33 23 39 4. Raith Rovers 25 9 11 5 34 27 38 5. Partick Thistle 22 10 7 5 37 22 37 6. Morton 24 6 9 9 29 34 27 7. Hamilton Ac. 25 6 9 10 27 40 27 8. Ayr United 25 6 8 11 23 38 26 9. Dunfermline 25 4 11 10 24 40 23 10. Q.O.S. 24 4 7 13 25 40 19

FRIDAY 18th FEBRUARY

Dunfermline P v P Partick Thistle

SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY

Hamilton v Morton   

Caley Jags v Ayr United

    Kilmarnock v Raith Rovers

Queen Sth v Arbroath

Last time out

Inverness came from behind three times to secure a point against an impressive Partick Thistle. Brian Graham was a thorn in our side again, claiming a hat-trick although the first one appeared to come off the shins of Wallace Duffy. We hit back through Billy Mckay, Shane Sutherland and a last gasp header from the enterprising Kirk.

Ayr United won the Ayrshire derby as they came from behind to beat Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park to stun title favourites Killie. Fraser Murray had opened the scoring early in the first half but Ayr levelled soon after through Sean McGinty and he scored the winner with ten minutes left to stun their hosts.

Latest Team News

Billy Dodds will definitely be without Scott Allardice and Danny Devine. Somehow, Roddy MacGregor has disappeared from earth, possibly been abducted by a Chinese tennis player. If anyone spots him, can they call MacGregors Bar to let us know that he's safe and well. Thanks in advance. Aaron Doran has missed the last month but is back in training and Tom Walsh has thrown his hat into the injured squad over the last couple of weeks. Thankfully we are covered up front with Sam Pearson looking good last week, but for some unknown reason we never looked at bringing in defensive cover from the start of the season, we'll soon be going with one at the back.

New Ayr manager Lee Bullen will be looking for more of the same attitude displayed in the derby win over Killie. Here's his starting XI from the Killie game played in front of 7,560 fans. Adeloye and Rowe came on as second half subs, with Ayr playing a 4-4-1-1 formation.

1McAdams

2Houston4Muirhead5McGinty3Reading

22McKenzie6Murdoch8McInroy14Maxwell

18Dempsey

19Ashford

There's been a lot of changes at Somerset Park since we last played Ayr. Our own Eric has been busy checking out their latest coming and goings. So, basically, a new look Ayr United will be here looking to improve their poor record at Inverness.

Departures

Cameron Salkeld - forward -has left the club due to long term injury

Nick McAllister - back - on loan to Clyde FC until end of season

Michael Miller - midfield - on loan to Stenhousemuir FC until end of season

Joe Chalmers - midfield - Transferred to Dunfermline FC.

Jonathon Afolabi - forward - was on loan from Celtic recalled and now at Airdrieonians Fc

Steven Bradley - forward - was on loan from Hibs recalled and now at Dundalk FC

 

Arrivals

Blaine Rowe - right back - on loan from Coventry FC U23 until end of season.

Kerr McInroy - defensive midfield - on loan from Celtic FC until end of season

Ben Dempsey - attacking midfield - on loan from Charlton FC U23 until end of season

Ryan Gondoh - left wing - the Ghanaian has signed from Wealdstone FC until May 2023

Paul Smith - centre forward - has returned after loan spell at Cumnock Juniors FC ( that should have toughened him up a bit )

Sam Ashworth - centre forward - signed from Crawley Town FC until May 2023

Fraser Brydon - centre forward - has been promoted to first team from Ayr U18s

 

Manager

Lee Bullen has had several spells as Caretaker manager of Sheffield Wednesday FC and was recently manager or their U23 side

Age: 50 Years 
Appointed: Jan 7, 2022
Contract expires: May 31, 2024

 

 

 

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A lot of 4 letter words spring to mind but the one that sticks is, dire!!

This team has absolutely no desire to win

Time for a change of full coaching team.

I swear to god, if that clown is still manager by Monday then I won't be happy, it's so evident that he has to GO RIGHT THIS MINUTE, though I'd like to hear what **** he comes out with in the interview! 

 

So predictable after his stupidity of basically saying we would win, totally underestimating Ayr. 

Whilst the manager has a lot to answer for and shows no sign of being able to arrest our decline, quite a few of the players are just not showing the basic qualities required of a professional footballer.

Edited February 19, 20223 yr by Yngwie

Dodds must go. He doesn't have a clue what he is doing, the players aren't playing for him and the supporters are against him. The sooner he goes and takes Barry Wilson with him the better. The lack of fight, commitment, desire and quality today was an absolute disgrace. We don't have any kind of gameplan. Dodds is so far out of his depth it's unreal. 

Just dire.

I'd give Ross Tokely a go - can't be any worse than Dodds!

 

Bit harsh on Barry Wilson SteveA but I actually agree but that's based on the fact that a new manager will want his own coaching team in place. 

 

I'd keep Scott Kellacher and Ryan Esson though. 

2 minutes ago, CaleyTennis said:

Bit harsh on Barry Wilson SteveA but I actually agree but that's based on the fact that a new manager will want his own coaching team in place. 

 

I'd keep Scott Kellacher and Ryan Esson though. 

I don't think it's harsh at all. We've kept these same guys in place far to many times when we've changed managers. From what I've seen of Wilson on the touchline he offers nothing. He stands with his hands in his pockets doing not an awful lot all game. Watching him today it seems his job is to shout over to the subs to come and get ready to come on. 

I looked at our stats at half time, 67% possession and no shots, that about sums us up. I can't remember a time where I have been more despondent about watching ict, no desire, no tactics, no skill and a manager with no idea. Teams must be rubbing their hands knowing that they are coming to inverness to get three points. Teams have sussed us out now, and if it wasn't for the points we picked up in the early part of the season, we would be in the relegation zone now, and heading down. A new direction has to be paramount for the remainder of the season, as my prediction of ict ending up 5th is on the cards. What a woeful performance. 

Maybe it is time for Ross Tokely.I cannot see us getting any better.I thought today was the day,I came with optimism and positivity then I thought the team would be in a similar mindset,but no!The best we look like getting this season is 5th(if we are lucky).Unfortunately we are heading in the wrong direction.

51 minutes ago, Yngwie said:

Whilst the manager has a lot to answer for and shows no sign of being able to arrest our decline, quite a few of the players are just not showing the basic qualities required of a professional footballer.

There is so obviously something not right behind scenes? 

Ross Tokely in as a defensive coach

3 minutes ago, Douglas Mackenzie said:

Maybe it is time for Ross Tokely.I cannot see us getting any better.I thought today was the day,I came with optimism and positivity then I thought the team would be in a similar mindset,but no!The best we look like getting this season is 5th(if we are lucky).Unfortunately we are heading in the wrong direction.

At least Rossco seems to get what is required by his chat on commentary? Unlike the bench we have!! 

Only positive from today, was Dodds never tried to take off Mcalear and replace him with Esson in the midfield.  Utter shambles,from a desperate management team who have clearly run out of ideas.

 

It was carnage among Scottish football managers thus week. Billy has to really demonstrate clearly why he shouldn't be next.

Another Hamilton shoes off protest incoming Friday night.

11 minutes ago, forresjags said:

Only positive from today

You can't blame Cammy MacKay for the goals, and I thought he had a decent game today. Score would have been at least 4 if it wasn't for his saves. 

I never worry when I hear that he's in the team.  And I still think his ball distribution is better than Ridgers' - he very often rolls it out to ensure we retain possession, rather than launch a 50-50 ball down the park.  It's not his fault that the 10 in front of him don't know what to do with it....

Agree Cammy was man of the match and most certainly made sure it wasn't 4-1.If the rest of the team had his desire on the pitch we would be okay.

7 minutes ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

You can't blame Cammy MacKay for the goals, and I thought he had a decent game today. Score would have been at least 4 if it wasn't for his saves. 

I never worry when I hear that he's in the team.  And I still think his ball distribution is better than Ridgers' - he very often rolls it out to ensure we retain possession, rather than launch a 50-50 ball down the park.  It's not his fault that the 10 in front of him don't know what to do with it....

Not much rolling it out today.

Or did I miss something?

Hoof!!

9 minutes ago, Satan said:

Not much rolling it out today.

Or did I miss something?

Hoof!!

You did.  I was watching for it and he was doing it quite a lot.  Even his kicks were usually aimed and well-placed.

Started hoofing it more, unsurprisingly, when we were 0-2 down, and needed to step up several gears.

25 minutes ago, snorbens_caleyman said:

You can't blame Cammy MacKay for the goals, and I thought he had a decent game today. Score would have been at least 4 if it wasn't for his saves. 

I never worry when I hear that he's in the team.  And I still think his ball distribution is better than Ridgers' - he very often rolls it out to ensure we retain possession, rather than launch a 50-50 ball down the park.  It's not his fault that the 10 in front of him don't know what to do with it....

No idea where you thought I was having a go at the goalkeeper. Maybe go back and re read what was said.

2 hours ago, WYNESS101 said:

More poor defending 

and  ( a few) woeful attempts at/ towards goal.

I see we won 10-1 on corners today.

It wouldn’t surprise me if this season’s stats show that an ICT corner is more likely to lead to a goal for the opposition than for us, we certainly don’t seem to do much with them. Our first one today went out for a goal kick and didn’t even make it as far as the front post.

I think the bottom line is that none of us know when a goal is going to come for ICT because really we never look like scoring.If we cannot score and we cannot defend then why are we surprised we have not won a game for so long.It is now rare to feel excited at a Caley home game.Indeed I'm not sure anymore what that feels like.