Houston, we have a problem!

You could be forgiven for thinking that United fans coined that phrase as their team struggles to launch their season after a spate of indifferent results sees them hovering just above the danger zone.

Weather permitting, the Arab's will be here on Saturday for an SPL fixture that could see Inverness draw level on points with the Taysiders.

Inverness are gradually starting to achieve lift-off after overcoming St Mirren 2-1 in Paisley last weekend, a result that was hard fought for as the players dug deep to secure the points.  Billy McKay was given his first start and maybe the heavy conditions favoured his fleet footed endeavours as the bustling Gregory Tade was consigned to the bench for eighty-five minutes.  The defence, although not achieving that elusive clean sheet, battled bravely as Saints tried to find a way back, but Ross Tokely and Roman Golobart stood firm to deny the Saints, and Jonny Hayes curled home a sublime winner.

United appeared to be inert as they succumbed rather meekly to Neil Lennon's Celtic at Tannadice, a result that put's them in eighth spot in the league, one place above Inverness.  Gary Kenneth sees his future elsewhere and expects to leave at the end of the season.  Changed days for the giant stopper after his boast of last season when he thought United could split the Old Firm.  Dream on big boy.

Weather Report:-  It has been a week when Scotland shivered as the mercury plummeted below freezing and the first noteworthy snowfall of the season left the landscape looking more like the frozen Tundra.  Giant Panda's landed at Edinburgh Zoo, although they possibly went missing from New St Mirren Park last weekend and Misha 'B' was voted off the X Factor; yes it was an extraordinary week indeed.  It's the weather that could have the last word on this game as more than six inches of snow has fallen around the Highland Capital early in the week, and if it turns milder then surface water has been known to make life difficult for award winning groundsman Tommy Cumming.  Thursday morning and the snow is disappearing fast as Hurricane Bawbag whips the North of Scotland, most bridges closed because of the high winds.  Let's see what the next couple of days brings, brrrrrrrrrr.................... at the moment, it's 2-0 to the weather.  Friday morning and it's the calm after the storm as Hurricane Bawbag has blown over, 2-1 now, but 15:00 brings more heavy snow showers to Inverness, flakes the size of the back page of the Oban Times; 3-1 to the weather.  Have faith.

Closer inspection of this fixture shows that out of ten SPL games, United have four wins to Inverness' two, and they have won three of the last four fixtures in Inverness, although Inverness won the last two cup games here.  United are the highest scorers in these games, scoring three goals on two occasions.  The last home victory was in March 2007 when 10 man Inverness scored with the last kick of the ball.  Grant Munro had been sent packing in his 200th game after a cynical foul on former ICT favourite Barry Robson in the 90th minute, but another great, Barry Wilson knocked home the winner at the death..........where are they now?  That result put Inverness above United into 7th place in the SPL and Charlie Christie would eventually guide Inverness to 8th position, 4 points above United.  Take a look at the sides from that game. (only two Inverness players still here)

Inverness:- Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Black, Duncan, Rankin (Paatelainen 73), Bayne, McAllister (McSwegan 64). Subs not used:- Ridgers, McCaffrey, Hart, Morgan, Sutherland.

United:- Stillie, Dillon, McCracken, Wilkie, Kalvenes, Robertson (Samuel 46), Kerr, Gomis, Robson, Daly (Robb 73), Hunt (Goodwillie 81):- Subs Not Used: McLean, Mair, Watson, McCord.

Current form shows that Inverness have won 2, lost 3 and drawn 1 from their last six games.  The defeats were against Celtic, Motherwell and Hearts.  The Well and Celts games saw Inverness controversially finish with ten men countered by that magnificent 6-3 win at Kilmarnock and last weeks 2-1 win at Paisley.  United have won, lost and drawn 2 games apiece.  The highlight for them was a 4-1 away day thrashing of Dunfermline, the lowlight being last weeks dour encounter with Celtic where they failed to muster any opportunities which was the reason Mr Houston was not a happy Arab.

David Davis has endeared himself to the Inverness fans with some exceptional energetic performances of late and the Wolves loanee would be happy to extend his arrangement to the end of the season, as long as his parent club are in agreement.  Terry Butcher would welcome this and if Inverness continue their upward trend he would be content with the squad he has, including the flashy Roman Golobart and the speedy winger Aidan Chippendale.  However, should we revert to type, then he also has an eye on the January transfer merry-go-round just in case.  With Tudur-Jones and Aaron Doran back in training, things are looking a lot brighter for Terry's all stars and with Billy McKay at last getting some game time and little Jonny Hayes nearing full fitness then the future is certainly better than it looked a couple of weeks ago.  It's great what getting off the foot of the table can do for confidence all round.

 tm4tj Prediction:- Another tight game ahead as two teams not exactly setting the heather on fire so far this season do battle for 8th place in the SPL.  However, Inverness seem to be over the worst in terms of player availability and United are struggling to find any consistency and cohesion in their play.  These are the two worst defensive records away from home, but Inverness must surely get that clean sheet they have been looking for since the start of the season, and along with Jonny Hayes and new striker Billy McKay like new signings, I am picking Inverness to shut out United and pile more misery on Houston in a 3-0 to leapfrog the Arabs into eighth in the league.

***Latest Team News***

Inverness are as strong as they have been all season and the difficulty arises for Butcher as he decides who to leave out instead of who is available.  The two long term absentees will not be in the squad, along with Aidan Chippendale, Josh Meekings and David Proctor.  Thomas Piermayr could return to the squad after injury.  Look for a similar team to last weekend starting against United, with the options of Tade or Cox pushing to begin the match, depending on the weather and conditions underfoot.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Dundee United midfielder Danny Swanson has been referred to the specialist sports injury clinic at Lilleshall in a bid to move his recovery on a bit quicker.  His medial ligament injury has kept him sidelined for two months and has not responded as well as had been hoped. Scott Severin will also miss out but United have no fresh injuries to contend with and the same squad that faced Celtic could be given the opportunity to atone themselves.

Other SPL News

Sone Aluko has been handed a two game ban for blatant cheating, however Rangers are backing their new player in this one.  To me, this means that Rangers would appear to condone the actions of Aluko, and his actions are what is wrong with the game.  Cheating like this should be stamped out and a two game ban is a start, but in reality a joke.  Six months out of the game would maybe make them think twice about cheating.  The tribunal upheld the decision and his meagre two game ban sticks.  No room for cheats in this game, and we won't get the chance to boooo him at Ibrox.  Cheery chappie Ally McCoist must feel pretty stupid now having backed Aluko all the way.

Celtic have scooped all the SPL awards for November.  Lennon wins the manager of the month, Hooper player of the month and Forrest young player of the month as Celtic close the gap on Rangers to four points with four wins.

Not such a merry Christmas down Gorgie way as Hearts players have not been fully paid yet again.  Hard up Hearts are struggling to make ends meet and Vlad the Impaler seems to be sucking the lifeblood from the Heart of Midlothian.

Pa Broon has told BBC Scotland that his side are in a false position.  (where have I heard that before).  Aye right, but for the grace of Dunfermline Broony, yer Aberdeen side are the worst in years.

Promotion Watch:-  No it's not a gold plated timepiece to commemorate an occasion, although it would be some occasion if County were to join us in the SPL.  It's about keeping an eye out at the top of the first division, and once more County are making the headlines with a 4-2 win over Raith Rovers.  Dundee have thrust themselves into distant contention with a 6-1 thrashing of Hamilton Accies and Falkirk pipped Morton to remain 9 points behind the Gudgies.  The bubbles no burst yet........................Tomorrow's game for Champions elect Ross County at Ayr has been called off after some damage to the Somerset Park stands.