Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? 

It has been a long slow start to the season for Inverness with only one win in nine SPL starts. 

It's well documented how injuries and squad changes have seen us struggle to keep in touch at the tail end of the league, but we need to put all that behind us as we look forward to a less harrowing run of games, and hopefully some players starting to come off the lengthy injury list.

Paisley's finest are in town on Saturday, but don't be fooled by this wolf in sheeps clothing.  This is not the Saints of olde.  A resurgent Saint Mirren have made steady progress this season as Danny Lennon's side sit comfortably in the top half of the league with 12 points and a goal difference of zero.  Compare that to our own stats of 5 points and a minus 10 goal difference and it's obvious to note that this is not going to be an easy ride.  We came a cropper on many an occasion when Saints were not at their best, so this game is exceptionally tough given the comparative form of both sides.

The Buddies have taken great strides this season with some shrewd additions to the squad, notably Steven Thompson, Gary Teale and Nigel Hasselbaink, with Paul McGowan growing in confidence with every game.  Into the last eight of the League Cup at the expense of the other Saints and a crushing 3-0 win over Kilmarnock sees St Mirren come into this game on a high.  While Saints were doing this, we sat out the League Cup round after our defeat at Ayr and defeats by Dundee United and Celtic have left us staring up the table; not a position we really want to find ourselves in.

 Let's concentrate on our own issues for a moment.  Yes, that injury list is still a problem, but one or two are nearing the end of the recovery road.  David Proctor could be fit after taking a nasty head knock against Celtic.  Gavin Morrison and Josh Meekings are almost ready and more importantly Lee Cox is close to a return and he is urgently required in an area where we have been a bit lightweight recently.  With Russell Duncan being released at the end of last season, we have struggled in the engine room and with injuries to key players adding to the problem, players like Cox coming back will be seen as a bonus by Butcher.  The other midfield concern has undoubtedly been the shoulder twins, our creative wide boys of Hayes and Doran, both out at the same time with similar injuries.  This led Butcher into the loan market to sign David Davis and Aidan Chippendale to bolster our seriously weakened squad.  These things all take time to come to fruition, so the sooner we get these key players back the better we will be for it.  Young Nick Ross has had more pressure heaped on him earlier than he would have liked and fringe players find themselves being brought forward into the action.  None of this has helped the fluidity of the team and results have suffered as a consequence.  Gregory Tade looks like his endeavour is winning over the fans and if he can add regular goals to his industry then we will soon be asking Adam who?  Richie Foran has been struggling of late, possibly carrying an injury which appears to be subdueing the fiery Irishman, but there is no doubting his commitment.  Billy McKay is one guy who could help out in attack, providing he is fit enough for a full shift.  The one shining light throughout all this turmoil has been the return of Graeme Shinnie.  Sidelined last season by an illness, he has taken the left back berth over from the injured Kenny Gillet and has not looked back.  He has shown us that there is light at the end of the tunnel, although it might take a wee bit longer to get through it.

 We played reasonably well at Celtic, although the result was no surprise, but the pleasing thing for the fans was the desire to take on the Glasgow giants, and we matched them bar losing two quickfire strikes in the first half.  This was in stark contrast to the troops who trudged off the park at Tannadice after surrendering rather meekly to an average Dundee United. 

 The Paisley side will have an unchanged squad for this game, which means long term casualty Darren McGregor is still out.  Aaron Mooy and Hugh Murray are almost there, but this game will be too soon for them.

One to remember

It may be too much to hope for, but cast your mind back to the time St Mirren were crowned first division champions and arrived in Inverness to party, and show us why they were the champions.  5th May 2000 it was and the home side clapped them onto the park;  the stage was set for the champs to show off their wares.  By five o'clock they were on the end of a hammering as Inverness thumped them 5-0.  The Caley Jags were three up before half time as goals from Davide Xausa, Mark McCulloch and Barry Wilson had them on easy street.  Martin Bavidge and McCulloch again completed the rout and the Saints champagne party went a bit flat.  That was in 2000, and Inverness had finished sixth after a poor start to the season.  Sounds familiar.

The league table has a disturbing look about it as news that Aberdeen are inflicting a heavy defeat on the Pars in the Friday evening game filters through.  It's 3-0 at half time which if it stays like that will mean Inverness are in danger of becoming detached at the bottom, so this put's more pressure on the home side to take all three points. Midweek win for Hibs also moved them further away from our points total.  Not even a win against the Saints will move us up a position as we are now four points behind the nearest teams.  The only good to come out of this is the fact that Dunfermline are starting to struggle and may soon find themselves in the relegation tussle.

tm4tj Prediction:-  This game now has a more crucial look about it given results this week.  Inverness are on the slide, and St Mirren are on the up.  No more are the Saints our whipping boys, at one time we owned them, but the times they are a changing.  However, glimpses of light were on display at Parkhead, and if we can get fully fit players on the park then maybe, just maybe we can start our season tomorrow.  Narrow win for Inverness to lift the gloom is my bet, but it will be tight.

And, just in case you forget, Scotland v England at the world cup in the morning, so set your alarm for 08:30 and that should warm you up nicely for the footie in the afternoon...............Mon the Jocks.

Oh dear, Aberdeen 4-0 Dunfermline was the full time result. 

Onwards and upwards folks. 

Mon the Caley Jags