With more time being spent conversing about Craig Brewster and the current form (or lack of it) at Caley Thistle it's hard to judge just what the fans are expecting from this weeks forthcoming fixture against Aberdeen.

One thing is for certain, things aren't good right now and something needs to change before it's too late.

Whilst many would prefer ICT to go on a good run, there's a growing number who would happily accept a defeat if it guaranteed a change of manager before Christmas.

Jock MacDonald, OBE

A tough week at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium with the news that Jock Macdonald OBE had passed away, aged 77.

Jock was instrumental in the drive to see Thistle & Caledonian merge to form ICT and went on to be the amalgamated clubs first chairman as they took to the Scottish Leagues.

Jock was previously a great success at Inverness Thistle, where he became chairman in 1977 after a 15 year playing career with his beloved Jags. He was also highly regarded within the hierarchy of Scottish Football, being on the SFA Council since 1972 and subsequently on various other committees including the International Committee. He really was the voice of the North in Scottish Football.

He was a larger than life character, one of the “old school” as Billy Bremner found out when Jock disciplined him the olde way....a swift haymaker stopping Billy in his tracks.

Jock will be sadly missed by all who knew him and fondly remembered by family and friends. Condolences to all concerned.

An appreciation of Jocks life can be viewed on the ICT Official site.

A minutes silence will be held in memory of Jock prior to the game.

INVERNESS CT v ABERDEEN

Tulloch Caledonian Stadium

Saturday 20th December, 3:00pm

THEMANN4THEJOB LOOKS AHEAD TO THIS SATURDAYS MATCH

The crucial person for the home side will be the currently under fire manager, Craig Brewster. He’s been taking a fair battering on the website and is the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons. With only a solitary win at home this season, Inverness have plummeted to second bottom of the league and are already in danger of becoming part of the relegation battle, even this early in the season!!!

Baffling tactical decisions may be the downfall of the once well respected striker and legend at previous clubs. Dunfermline fans have nothing but praise for Mr Brewster the footballer, and Arabs fans likewise, but the praise ceased at Tannadice when he became manager and only the intervention of the Tannadice board saved United from local derbies with first division Dundee.

Our away form has been slightly better, Ibrox apart, but with Kilmarnock being the only casualty in Inverness this season, Tangoman would, on paper, appear to be in for a comfortable weekend whilst Brewster will be looking for his squad to kick start their season.

4-4-2, 4-5-1, whatever, Brew has tried it all this season, but with little success. The team spirit is waning, fans favourite Barry Wilson has been told he is surplus to requirements, Black, Cowie and Fraser are all reading the small print on their contracts and no centre back or striker replacements brought in during the summer when needed.

All of this coupled with Brews lack of tactical acumen has seen us struggle against almost everybody at home and even diehard Caley Thistle fans are wondering if it is worth all the grief anymore as crowds continue to tumble heading in to the New Year. A possible lifeline could be available in the shape of hard cash to bolster the squad, not an easy thing to achieve considering good players are the top of every other teams agenda. The January sales will be the most critical since ICT gained promotion and who’s doing the buying for ICT could prove just as important as who is bought.

On the bright side, Ross Tokely is free from suspension and Phil McGuire made his comeback last weekend, albeit that he appeared to be painfully short of fitness. If Craig Brewster can get the team motivated, then maybe the weekend won’t be so bleak. I’m not convinced a win will see a change in stance from the fans, but a loss will be certain to add numbers to the ever increasing group calling for a re-structure within ICT.

Aberdeen winger Sone Aluko is fast making a nuisance of himself this season. Omatsone, to give him his full Sunday title has been capped for England at u16 to u19 level and dreams of emulating his sister Eniola who is a full England international. He’s been tormenting defenders since his permanent move to the Dons in the summer, resulting in a three year contract for him. Sone was named the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League young player of the month for November, when the nineteen year old scored twice, one against Killie and added another against the Buddies. He has felt stronger this season after a run of games in the SPL but has picked up a hamstring injury which may rule him out of this encounter. I am sure this will not be missed by Ross Tokely who will have the job of shackling the speedy winger should he recover in time.

Darren Mackie is another one who has performed well against ICT on occasion. He is also blessed with reasonable pace, something the Inverness rearguard sadly lacked in Paisley as Andy Dorman showed the struggling Phil McGuire a clean pair of heels.

Mackie is no stranger to the Caley Jags fans as he came here on loan in 2004. Unfortunately he failed to score in his six appearances, despite numerous one on ones. He came back to haunt us though, scoring at Pitoddrie once we reached the SPL, and also showed he is no slouch in the air, nodding home the winner in a Scottish cup game, despite being sandwiched by Brown and Dods. 26 year old Darren has scored fifty goals for Aberdeen in his ten year association with the Dandies.

Top game between these two teams happened last season when Aberdeen edged Inverness 3-4 in a seven goal thriller which saw Inverness finish with only nine men and an injury time winner from Chris McGuire for the Dons. There were also ten yellow cards. The most telling moment of this game was Russell Duncan being sent off during the half time for stupidly kicking the ball into the roof of the main stand. 5655 witnessed that match, I wonder if so many will be encouraged away from the Xmas shopping given the dire home form of ICT. Jaggies fans may take heart from the 0-2 victory in the seasons opening game, our first ever victory against the Dons, but that is sadly a distant memory for all but the staunchest of supporters. It was Andy Barrowman who opened the scoring that day before Roy McBain finished of in style after a breathtaking diagonal run from his own penalty box.

TM4TJ PREDICTION

To use a well known phrase, I had a dream…

...I thought I saw Inverness gain their second home win of the season in a nail biting, but turgid tussle to send the home fans homeward to think again, and Aberdeen fans were bemoaning the frailties of Jimmy Calderwood’s managerial tactics, to reverse the trend at ICT. 1-0 to Inverness, (fingers and legs crossed)