Not a Happy New Year

Inverness were allegedly lining up like this with no main strikers in the starting XI. Would we miss them? They have not exactly been bursting the net of late or showing much willingness to have a go. Billy Mckay was left on the bench with some names from the past reappearing for 2024 in the shape of Doran, MacGregor and Carson with Duffy starting in a team set up to hold what they have. David Wotherspoon was missing ahead of Dundee United bid incoming for our creative player. Airdrie had a strong line-up with Nicolay Todorov starting up front with Gavin Gallagher and Gabriel McGill. As it turned out, same sh!t different day as Airdrie scored twice to ruin our New Year. To add insult to injury, Big Dunc was red carded at the end of the game as his frustration spilled over  I'm no surprised to be honest, two free headers and two goals for Airdrie.

A cagey opening quarter from both sides brought about no goalscoring opportunities. A congested midfield made for stalemate across the park. Highlight of the first half hour was a lovely bit of skill from Max Anderson who chested down an awkward clearance , brought it down on the end of his toe before spinning clear of his tight markers. Lovely jubbly Max! Ten minutes before the interval Ridgers redeemed himself after flapping and missing a corner into the box but he was brave enough to get down and dirty to help block the follow up efforts from McGill, first with his legs then his hands before he grabbed the ball. Ridgers was quick off the blocks six minutes before the break to stop a through ball before the incoming striker could get on the end of it. The hosts were pushing for an opening over the final ten minutes before the interval but it was all square at the break.

Half Time: 0-0

David Carson and Billy Mckay replaced Sean Welsh and Jake Davidson at the interval as our lack of firepower was evident in the first forty-five. Airdrie started the second half like they ended the first, on the front foot, buzzing around outside our box but failing to penetrate. Airdrie went close following a corner when McCabe drilled a low shot goalwards but Ujdur steered it wide for another corner. Ridgers pulled off a tremendous save from Megwa at the expense of a corner and from that corner came the opening goal. Who else but Nikolay Todorov who rose highest to meet the ball and nod down into the net. Plenty of endeavour thereafter but little clue how to break Airdrie down. Writing was on the wall when we conceded a second eight minutes from the end, another unchallenged header in the box. All too easy for Airdrie and simply not good enough from Inverness.

Full Time: 2-0

Bring on the January sales. We are devoid of everything and relegation is a distinct possibility given our lack of quality at the moment. There must be lot's of dead wood to get rid of at the Caledonian Stadium. Why pay for players that add nothing to our squad. I can think of more than a dozen who we need to get shot of. Why on earth did we take Sheridan on to our books? He struggled against a pub team in the last round of the Scottish Cup. FFS, shape up or ship out!

Mantis on CTO:  Tbf I would say this was the worst away performance of the season by a mile, but the writing was on the wall when we saw the lineup. Billy rested for Longstaff, and Shaw, who is hopeless in the air, but had many high punts to deal with, playing alongside him. No Spoony, and starts for Davidson and Duffy who should not be near an ICT shirt. Welsh started but is obviously not ready. Billy and Carson came on at half time and it looked a bit brighter for about 10 minutes. Not something which is said every day but defensively we miss Danny Devine.

We were rubbish again, weren't we>>>

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