SPL Freshers looking to end lean spell against Inverness.

 East End Park is the venue this weekend as a pointless Caley Jags head to the Kingdom of Fife to take on last seasons First Division Champions, Dunfermline Athletic.

The Pars were idle last weekend as their game with Celtic was re-arranged due to the SPL bending over backwards to accommodate Celtic who had more important stuff to do.  It seems that the Dublin Super Cup has priority over SPL fixtures.  This meant that the Pars had to twiddle their collective thumbs as the rest of the SPL had to get on with the early start, although Inverness could not take advantage of this and remained rooted to the foot of the league without a point and without a goal.  It was not for the want of trying though as we scrambled around the Hibees box without managing to beat the keeper or the referee. 

Whilst Inverness suffered a very late blow with O'Connor's goal from a scuffed shot, the general concensus of opinion is that the new look squad played fairly well and it may just be a matter of time before we reap the rewards from the incoming players.  There was definitely a lack of fluidity and cohesion, but the nucleus is there for the making of a talented squad with the additions of the Austrian and Welsh contingent to add to Aldred and Tansey who have started steadily for the Jags.  Oh for a striker to capitalise on the numerous balls being flung into the opposition box.

I'll leave the rest for our very own Proctor to tell you as he get's off the mark with his first preview of the season.................

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 Team News Striker Billy MacKay and defensive midfielder Lee Cox are looking doubtful with ankle and groin injuries respectively. Josh Meekings will also be out having not recovered from an injury sustained in pre-season. Gregory Tade has been ruled fit for the game having picked up a knock last week against Hibernian. New signing Chris Hogg could feature in the squad while Aaron Doran may start his first full match since signing from Blackburn Rovers.

Dunfermline could be without Kevin Rutkiewicz if his thigh injury does not improve in the next 24 hours. Steven Bell and Nicky Finn will definitely miss Dunfermline’s second home game of the season.

History This fixture has produced much drama in recent history. In 2009 Inverness CT’s first game after being relegated to the First Division took place at East End Park. Lee Cox scored a dramatic last minute winner on his debut. Caley Thistle would go on to win the league.

Dunfermline were relegated on a rainy day in Inverness in season 2006/2007 when a Rory McAllister free kick spilled out of on loan keeper Dorus De Vries’ hands into his own net. De Vries would break down in tears at the end of the game.

The two sides met in the 2004 Scottish Cup semi-final. Dunfermline won the replayed tie 3-2 at Pittodrie. The sides drew 1-1 in the first game at Hampden Park. Former ICT manager Craig Brewster was named man of the match that night having netted the Par’s second goal. Dunfermline would lose in the final to Martin O’Neil’s Celtic.

Key Players Pat Clarke (Dunfermline) – Clarke has been told he can find another club. He may have a point to prove if brought on. As Caley Thistle fans found out last season against Celtic, playing for your career can make you do incredible things.

Andy Barrowman (Dunfermline) – The former Inverness player didn’t have the best of times at Caledonian Stadium. Barrowman will be keen to score against his old club.

Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) – Tansey has looked lethal at set pieces in his short time at Inverness. He has the potential to cause the Dunfermline defence problems. Tansey dramatically struck the post with a free kick a fortnight ago against Motherwell. Will his next shot be as unlucky or will it be ICT’s first goal of the season?

Gregory Tade (Inverness CT) – The French giant spent last year at Dunfermline’s local rivals Raith Rovers where he caused the Pars much grief. Tade is known for his work ethic and ability to run for an entire game. Will Saturday be his first SPL goal?

Current Form shows that neither club has opened their goals for account in the SPL this season.  In the Pars' opening fixture they found the going tough against a lively St Mirren.  They had keeper Paul Gallacher to thank for keeping the scoreline blank, while Inverness were being thumped 3-0 at Motherwell.  Inverness remained goalless after last weeks game against Hibs, as Dunfermline had the day off.  Dunfermline however, did score a couple of goals against Annan Athletic in the Scottish Communities League Cup as they ran out 1-2 winners with goals from a couple of Andy players, Barrowman and Kirk.

Summary These two sides have been touted for relegation by several pundits. Both teams will be keen to prove the Scottish football media wrong.

The SPL new boys have a squad full of journeyman who are used to the SPL dogfight. While the visitors have a squad with ten new signings. Most of whom are young, hungry and keen to impress. Who will triumph? Youth or experience?

Terry Butcher has remained upbeat despite the disappointing start to the campaign, and rightly so as his reshaped squad appear to be very close to hitting it off and has indicated that someone will be on the end of a hammering one day soon.  The one downside has been the lack of a predatory striker to sieze on the half chances that the wing play has created and with Billy Mackay still injured the onus will be on Gregory Tade to open his account as an Inverness player.  Let's hope he can make a start tomorrow against his former Fife derby opponents.

Difficult one to predict this, with Dunfermline out to impress in the SPL and Inverness still to kickstart their season.  With that in mind, we might have to settle for a share of the spoils although if Butcher is right in his assessment of his new squad, then we could take all three points back to the Highlands.