The once famous versus the famous for once

Inverness are heading East to face the once famous Aberdeen football club in a game where both clubs are coming off the back of excellent away wins last weekend. Aberdeen trounced Partick Thistle and Inverness ground out a result at Kilmarnock to set the scene for this weekends showdown at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen have deployed a new tactic pre-kick off which looks suspiciously like the Celtic huddle although some of their players are trying to justify it's existence by renaming it the "Aberdeen Bosey". Aye well, I don't think the fans like it whatever they call it, best left alone methinks. Maybe that's why they call him Clangers.  

Derek McInnes has been quick to quell any thoughts about his resurgent team heading for second best in the SPFL but with Jonny Hayes and Gregg Wylde hitting form then it would be foolish to dismiss the threat that this Aberdeen side pose and they should provide our sternest examination yet, with our undefeated start to the season under threat. Any team with a player named Zola has to be taken seriously, even if it's not the real thing, but he did score his first goal for the club last week and extra training has sharpened him up mentally and physically.

AJS has taken time off preparing for another gig with The Caspians and has this preview ahead of tomorrow's game. Enjoy.

The alternative Derby 

Some might say Aberdeen was the nearest ICT had to a derby in the top flight before the introduction of Ross County. Now its just like any other away day but with the excuse of having a slightly longer lie in bed before hitting the road for another away day. Terry and the boys head down the A96 for what should be yet another tight and well fought affair against the Dons who are under new management with appointment of Derek McInnes over the summer. I must admit it was slightly surprising to hear he was returning North of the border to take over from Craig Brown. It seemed he was dealt a rather raw deal down at Bristol City who were already going into a rapid decline.

Though not in fear of relegation an 8th place finish was far from satisfactory and the appointment of an ambitious young manager such as McInnes gives them a platform to build on. Typically the exit door at Pittodrie was well used over the summer market with 9 players departing including the likes of Stephen Hughes, Rob Milsom, and Rory Fallon all of whom promised so much yet flattered to deceive latterly. McInnes has recruited well however. Players such as Barry Robson and Willo Flood provide a wealth of experience and quality. Nicky Weaver is no stranger to Scotland as he had a brief but impressive stint at Dundee United in 2009 and anyone who follows The Football League would have seen Calvin Zola's impressive display for Burton Albion in last seasons League 2 play offs. The club also fended of interest over the border in top scorer Niall McGinn, a real statement of intent. 

One thing McInnes would like to correct during his tenure is Aberdeen's recent history against ICT. The tables have turned in form between the two sides. The Dons failed to win during all 3 encounters between the sides last season. They scrambled a late point at the beginning of last season in a frantic 1-1 draw that saw both sides go down to 10 men for separate but debatable incidents. A thrilling 3-2 encounter saw ICT come out on top at Pittodrie, a bullet header in typical fashion from Gary Warren either side of 2 strikes from Wee Billy sent ICT home happy that night, they were made to work as Josh Magennis hit a well taken double for The Dons to keep the score close. The Caley jags then ran riot with a resounding 3-0 win at home with Billy getting yet another double and Andrew Shinnie also getting on the scoreline.

I must admit I felt the International break would kill our momentum with a lengthy journey down to Rugby Park last week. It wasn't pretty but the 3 points came back home on the bus via the chippy. Despite the lack of fluency on show it was reassuring to know that we don't have to play good football to win, and that can only make us stronger going into games knowing that grinding out results isn't a necessity but it is an option. Aberdeen have had an indifferent start to the season but last weeks result at Partick will have given them plenty of confidence as well so this will have both sides going into the game with plenty optimism. 

I'm trying to stay realistic here despite our lofty position. I really thought we had peaked last season but so far we are getting result after result and Terry and Mo seem to be putting everything into keeping the boys focused, and with another 3 points and more leverage over everyone above us (yes, literally everyone) up for grabs I'm hoping for more of what I've seen all season so far. McInnes will be looking to get Aberdeen back in contention, if not for Europe then at least a Top Six place so his side will not be pushovers in the slightest. I'm predicting that the game will be as scrappy at times as last weeks match at Kilmarnock but I'm just hoping that our form and togetherness will just about see us over the finish line. We also have boys like Curtis Allen and Marley Watkins ready for action now so with competition for places as high as its been in a long time that will also be extra incentive to keep everyone on their toes.

AJS's Prediction :- As I said I get a feeling it wont be pretty tomorrow but I think we will just about edge it. I'm going for a 2-1 win and for Wild Bill to get another double.