Back to Life after Death

 

It was another quiet week in the life and death of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, as we died a few times before Alan Savage once again applied cardiopulmonary resuscitation to breathe new life back into our lifeless soul. Having mentioned administration earlier in the day, his next statement shortly after was much appreciated by the fans. An "Amicable deal has been struck that saves club from administration all stakeholders should be delighted" quote from Sir Savage, or as we now call him around these parts Sir Alan Salvage, a title bestowed on him by one of our more astute forum members. Meanwhile the revelations keep coming, but at least Mr Savage has caught the attention of the fans with his transparency and speed at which he has conducted his "forensic audit", struck "amicable deals" and removed bad eggs. Nothing short of a miracle to be honest as he has strived to correct five years of wrongdoings in five days of scrutiny and integrity. The freedom of the City awaits Sir Salvage.

In the meantime, we still have a team to support and olde adversaries Queen of the South come North on Saturday for a League 1 encounter. Queens are the only other 'full time' squad in the division with genuine aspirations of getting back into the Championship and we last played them at the end of season 21/22. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Match/Ticket/Shop/Bar Info

Connall Ewan loan

Oh No!

Oh Yes!

Challenge Cup 7th September

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Venue

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	21	12	3	6	38	26	+12
Away	20	8	7	5	34	22	+12
Neutral	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	41	20	10	11	72	48	+24

Home advantage is usually a good indicator as to the outcome of these encounters. However, given our plight this will negate that advantage and we will be looking for our defender heavy squad to keep us interested.

Last 10 Competitive Meetings

1 - 2 (A)

2 - 2 (H)

2 - 1 (A)

2 - 1 (H)

1 - 1 (A)

0 - 1 (H)

3 - 0 (A)

3 - 1 (H)

2 - 0 (A)

2 - 0 (H)

Our first ever game against Queen of the South was a Scottish Cup tie in December 1994:   An indifferent display saw Caley Thistle lose their first Scottish Cup match to a competent Queen of the South side. The second division team were first on the attack and Bell nearly connected with a Jackson cross. In the 10th minute Wilson Robertson was set up by Charlie Christie but he shot over the bar. Both sides had further chances with the home side's best effort being when a Mike Andrew drive was well saved by Purdie. In the second half Purdie again saved well from Noble & Robertson. At the other end McRitchie made a tremendous save from Kennedy and from the kick out found Robertson in space - he ran towards goal but his 25 yard drive thundered off the upright. In 73 and 83 minutes the game was settled when the visitors scored 2 identical goals - direct shots from free kicks on the edge of the area by Bell & Bryce. McAllister scored a consolation goal in the last minute for the home side. 

Starting XI

Mark McRitchie
Dave Brennan
Mark McAllister
Mike Andrew
Mike Noble
Sergei Baltacha
Steven MacDonald
Norman MacMillan (McKenzie 56)
Charlie Christie
Alan Hercher
Wilson Robertson

Subs: Jim Calder, Paul McKenzie, Colin Mitchell.

Queen of the South: Purdie (gk) B. McKeown, D. McKeown, Campbell, Hetherington, McFarlane, Bryce, Bell, McLaren, Kennedy 
Jackson

FULL TIME: 1-2

Scottish Cup - Rd 1: Saturday, December 17th, 1994, 3:00 PM Telford Street Park, Inverness
Attendance: 1,100: Referee: S Dougal

Report by Ian Broadfoot

************************************************************************

Season so far

Inverness: 1-1 v Dumbarton, 0-1 @ Annan Athletic, 1-1 v Montrose, 0-0 @ Kelty Hearts.

QotS: 0-0 @ Alloa, 2-1 v Cove, 2-0 v Annan Athletic, 0-1 @ Montrose.

 

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Those results show the table like this after four games
1.	Kelty Hearts	4	2	2	0	6	1	8
2.	Alloa Athletic	4	2	2	0	5	3	8
3.	Q.O.S.	4	2	1	1	4	2	7
4.	Montrose	4	1	3	0	3	2	6
5.	Annan Athletic	4	2	0	2	4	4	6
6.	Stenhousemuir	4	2	0	2	5	6	6
7.	Dumbarton	4	0	4	0	7	7	4
8.	Inverness CT	4	0	3	1	2	3	3
9.	Arbroath	4	0	2	2	3	7	2
10.	Cove Rangers	4	0	1	3	5	9	1

All 3:00pm Fixtures this weekend 

• Arbroath v Alloa Ath
• Cove Rangers v Montrose Fc  
• Dumbarton v Kelty Hearts
• Inverness CT v Queen South
• Stenhousemuir v Annan Athletic 

 

Latest Team News

Inverness: Four players are out for around the next month. Keeper Jack Newman out for another three to four weeks, as is Luis Longstaff, who is awaiting news on a scan for his thigh injury and Ethan Cairns. The latest set back for the Caley Jags is is that Keith Bray is out for two to three weeks with a hip flexor issue. Hopefully see all these guys around November then. Jack Walker has been loaned out to Nairn County until January 2025. That no doubt came about as a result of the young County prospect, centre back Connall Ewan signing a one year loan from our neighbours. The Caley Jags badly need a proven striker, and with that in mind, they have managed to bring in midfielder Paul Allan who played as a sub at Kelty and defender Connall Ewan from Dingwall.

 

Queens Team v Montrose last weekend

Queen of the South: Queens suffered a surprise defeat at Montrose last week and to add insult to injury, defender Harry Cochrane, who was celebrating his 100th appearance, got his marching orders in the 91st minute moments after Brydon had left the field with a possible hamstring injury leaving just nine on the park at the end for Queens. Despite having favourable stats it was Montrose that took the points when Craig Brown shot into the bottom corner from outside the box in the twenty-first minute. Cammy Gill made a couple of great saves for Montrose to keep their noses ahead. Cochrane will miss this one after his red card. Fraser Brydon might miss out and Lewis O'Donnell took a heavy knock. Note that Kai Kennedy is at Palmerston and he looked a dangerous player when at Inverness a few seasons ago.

 

 

 

Edited just now by tm4tj

2 hours ago, tm4tj said:

At least we are ahead but we are so slow getting forward its not looking like there will be many goals in this with goalmouth action at a premium. Bit of pinball for the goal but it ended up in the net. Big shout for a home penalty after a shove in the box but ignored by the ref.

Anh the ref booked Brooks for diving 

Oh for a bit of pace when we gain possession in midfield. Why must the players stop, turn round and pass the ball backwards or sideways when a quick forward pass would be much more effective

1 minute ago, Alan said:

h for a bit of pace when we gain possession in midfield. Why must the players stop, turn round and pass the ball backwards or sideways when a quick forward pass would be much more effective

Or even a wee run forward themselves with it.

 

A quick look at the league table shows we have scored 3 conceded 3 - and it will surprise absolutely nobody that no team has scored fewer than us and no team has conceded fewer than us either.

Scores on the doors

Pos	Team	Pld	Gd	Pts
1	Kelty Hearts	5	5	9
2	Stenhousemuir	5	3	9
3	Alloa Athletic	5	2	9
4	Queen of the Sth	5	1	7
5	Inverness C T	5	0	6
6	Montrose	5	0	6
7	Annan Athletic	5	-4	6
8	Dumbarton	5	0	5
9	Cove Rangers	5	-3	4
10	Arbroath	5	-4	3

How well was the sports bar attended today?

Any reports on formation today? Sounds like more square passing again. 
 

Second hand info but apparently someone set off one of those large handheld confetti cannon things in the main stand at the end of the game yesterday. Legally they are classed as pyrotechnics but I was told it got a few claps from board members and club officials. No signs of condemnation from anyone.

It was an older fan and I wonder if they'll be hunted down and we'll see similar statements as aimed at younger fans who have used pyro in the past?

To be clear I have no issue with it but if there's going to be rules then they need to be the same for everyone.

My first home game back after renewing earlier this week. 

Wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Seemed to be making genuine efforts at moving the ball forward but we still dither and lose momentum in the final third ending up making too many passes, slowing it down and giving the opponents time to organise.  

Some absolutely shocking and quite frankly bizarre decisions from officials. I don't blame Ferguson for being irate and I don't see how he deserved 2 yellows. Ref trying to make a name for himself I assume. 

Beautiful day to be back, see friends I've missed and got a win. Happy days (aside from not getting Oasis tickets 🤣)

15 hours ago, IBM said:

Anh the ref booked Brooks for diving 

Yes, that one in the second half on Brooks looked like a definite barge off the ball, not a fair shoulder to shoulder and there was no intention to dive as he was heavily clattered to the ground.

1 hour ago, Fraz said:

My first home game back after renewing earlier this week. 

Wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Seemed to be making genuine efforts at moving the ball forward but we still dither and lose momentum in the final third ending up making too many passes, slowing it down and giving the opponents time to organise.  

Some absolutely shocking and quite frankly bizarre decisions from officials. I don't blame Ferguson for being irate and I don't see how he deserved 2 yellows. Ref trying to make a name for himself I assume. 

Beautiful day to be back, see friends I've missed and got a win. Happy days (aside from not getting Oasis tickets 🤣)

Not getting Oasis tickets is surely a blessing. Wouldn't go to the Nip Inn to see that two gimps.

They're not playing at the Nip Inn are they?

Here's the goal if you can see it. Rubbish quality video.

 

55 minutes ago, Duke of Inverness said:

Not getting Oasis tickets is surely a blessing. Wouldn't go to the Nip Inn to see that two gimps.

Good to know, thanks. 

On reflection that was quite brutal. Our players and management were really up for the win but in the second half Duncan the referee really seemed to lose things. The stand side lino - not sure if he was called Ferguson - repeatedly made the wrong decisions on throw ins.  If you have ever done any refereeing or lino duties you do appreciate the complexity and sensitivity of each decision. However, Brooks booking, the two late tackles on Divine second half and the hoof out of QoS's defence late second half that ended up being absolutely nowhere near one of our players before going out was then given as a QoS throw in.  Their goalkeeper stole yards at a free kick near the half way line yet the lino and referee did nothing when he moved back and then spun the ball forward again. Their number 5 repeatedly stole yards at throw ins yet no action was taken against him. So if the referee and lino are honest today, this was not a good performance by them. 

First win over the line but at a cost of some injured players.  With Nolan on board we do now have an additional attacking threat. We are fortunate that next week we have the Trophy match.  

Unsurprisingly, dropping down a league seems to mean the calibre of match officials drops down a level too.

14 hours ago, Northern_jaggie said:

How well was the sports bar attended today?

Any reports on formation today? Sounds like more square passing again. 
 

Persevering with this groundbreaking 4 at the back stuff, I don't know but it might catch on.

Definitely looking to get forward quicker but some of the passing & close close control (both teams) was absolutely woeful at times. If we can improve this basic facets of the game there is hope.

Still questions over what is done on the training ground as we were at times like headless chickens, especially in midfield where at times we had 3 or 4 in close proximity with the ball, other times we seemed to have no one there when we really needed them. We (Dunc) needs to get a settled lineup in the middle, so they can learn their positions better, at times we looked like strangers, lacking positional discipline. Fingers crossed this will improve game by game.

Still lacking up front, but Brooks then young Mackay looked very quick on the left - perhaps try them both with Billy on the bench...he is looking pretty slow now.

Highlights are just as difficult to see... We need to up our game in the video department.

 

I missed the game yesterday so only have the highlights and comments to go by.

Mckay’s finish was a real penalty box striker’s finish. He was very alert to react quickly and poke the ball in.

Now the players don’t have all the off field turmoil playing on their minds, getting a vital win will have built their confidence greatly. It is time to kick on although, yet again, the level of injuries is concerning. 

I see Sol Bamba passed away yesterday aged 39. I can remember him playing against us for Dunfermline a few times in 2006/07, the days when we had Ian Black flying in with wild challenges. I didn’t think Bamba was up to much in those games against us but he went on to have a great career at a much higher level.

22 hours ago, tm4tj said:

 

Nice statement, and the way he put it across from Dunc while talking about losing both full backs, midfield player to injury, red cards, yellow cards etc.

“THIS IS WHY WE GO OOT AND BUY COVER”

you would think he reads some posts on here.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 20241 yr by bishbashbosh
Took out the extra word

Disappointing that the crowd was 200 down on the Montrose game as gate income will be important for the club going forward.  People will be more likely to attend if the are entertained and like what they are seeing.  It was, of course, nice to get the first league win of the season but there wasn't a great deal to get excited about.  I guess we did play with a little more attacking intent than we have been used to recently, but we regularly lost the ball by doing so.  Both Mckay and Brooks showed good movement at times but the ball never seemed to come to them, either the run wasn't spotted by the player on the ball or the ball was misplaced or intercepted.  There's work to be done on the training ground.  

Defensively we looked pretty solid although we were helped by Queen's wayward shooting.  I think they had fewer efforts on target than went out for throw ins.  On the subject of throw ins, Queen's captain, Douglas delivers a superb long throw into the box.  He was, though, ably assisted by the match officials who allowed him to take his throws a lot further up the pitch than the ball went out and to step well over the line on his delivery stride.  Fortunately our defence dealt with these throws superbly and we got a deserved clean sheet.

Is there any word on the injuries sustained yesterday?

36 minutes ago, robbylad said:

Is there any word on the injuries sustained yesterday?

I heard little left sided Duffy has an issue with his collarbone, broken/dislocated. 

Not sure about big right sided Duffy,  seemed to get caught on the foot after he cleared the ball upfield. Might be sore for a bit - ice/heat/elevation should be fine.

A very assured performance from our new goalie Musa Dibaga on Saturday.  Commanded his area well and his distribution seems really good too.  Early days but I was certainly impressed.

 

Edited September 2, 20241 yr by robbo1985

On 9/1/2024 at 8:56 PM, DoofersDad said:

Disappointing that the crowd was 200 down on the Montrose game as gate income will be important for the club going forward.  People will be more likely to attend if the are entertained and like what they are seeing.  It was, of course, nice to get the first league win of the season but there wasn't a great deal to get excited about.  I guess we did play with a little more attacking intent than we have been used to recently, but we regularly lost the ball by doing so.  Both Mckay and Brooks showed good movement at times but the ball never seemed to come to them, either the run wasn't spotted by the player on the ball or the ball was misplaced or intercepted.  There's work to be done on the training ground.  

Defensively we looked pretty solid although we were helped by Queen's wayward shooting.  I think they had fewer efforts on target than went out for throw ins.  On the subject of throw ins, Queen's captain, Douglas delivers a superb long throw into the box.  He was, though, ably assisted by the match officials who allowed him to take his throws a lot further up the pitch than the ball went out and to step well over the line on his delivery stride.  Fortunately our defence dealt with these throws superbly and we got a deserved clean sheet.

I actually think the attendance wasn’t too bad and judging by the rest of the league we are head and shoulders above the rest.