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I see little point in going abroad. I can't see how training and playing under baking heat is good preparation for coming back here where (last couple of weeks aside) the weather is totally different. Ok, so maybe it allows a bit of "bonding", but we never seem to have had any trouble in that regard. I think it's probably become more of a kudos type deal...and a means to getting clubs to pay for players summer holidays! Our pre-season so far has seen the team pitted against increasingly physical opposition, but that's probably as much to do with luck of the draw and who was available when as it is anything else. It's all about getting the players game time to blow out any cobwebs from the summer; getting a look at new players in a competitive match setup and experimenting with positioning and maybe a few things from the training ground. Whilst "glamour" ties are great for the fans and maybe even a chance to make a few quid from pre-season, they're not going to achieve much else. The Charlton game is, I imagine, a chance to piece all the bits together and get a look at what you might think would be the starting squad for the league against an opponent which is more on a par with that level of competition.

Was it a gun you had in your pocket or were you just excited to be at the valley?!

Hibs without Griffiths may be in trouble this season.

I wouldn't say Shinnie was a wing back at all. More a modern day full back along the lines of Ashley Cole.

About 31 players then? Full roster eh? Hope the fans turn up to support the team.

HSWHW--I was thinking the same thing. Aand then another thought entered mah heid...."Who would have thunk it?"

I thought Watkins was Shinnies back up? Anyway, at least we're picking up more players! Our squad is big for our budget were on so it's quite good, plus Tremarco is a quality player IMO.

Congratulation to the Perth Saints. The away win puts them in with a great chance of progressing to the next round. Can't shake of the feeling that it could have been us.

Then it should be time to say "Welcome to ICTFC lad!"

I thought that both the centre half partnerships that were used looked ok. Christie and Polworth both kept going and will no doubt feature at some point in the new season. Christies goal was well executed showing good control and awareness to end off a good move. Also thought that Ali Sutherland showed some nice touches and movement when he came on. The most pleasing is that there appears to be a bit of depth in the youth element of the squad and my only concern is that a few of them need to bulk up a bit more to be able to compete in the SPL but I am sure that will come. For Clach I thought Martin Laing had a good game. He covered a lot of ground and was always trying to create things. Overall Clach looked a fairly decent side who tried to play passing football until they just ran out of steam in the last 15 minutes or so. It's been quite a while since I have been inside GSP and it is a tidy little ground now (always was a decent pitch though). Here's hoping they have a decent season in 2013/14 and continue to grow as it is good for Inverness football to have a strong Highland League side.

Wow, lots of confidence on this thread. I've voted 'not sure' because I think the there's too little difference in quality between most SPL squads for us to be confident of almost anything. Last season there was almost nothing between 2nd place and 11th place for the whole season, and I don't see that changing greatly this year. I worry a little about the fans being too confident - we've never been the most realistic support (something I think stems from our quick rise through the leagues under Pele) and that definitely transmits onto the pitch. If we struggle against St. Mirren in the first game, will the fans start getting impatient because we are expected to beat a team that we finished 8 places above last season? We may have done that but we also took only 2 points from 3 games against them and they looked a decent side on each occasion. They may be well be better than us this year, I have no idea. The New Firm might be different propositions under new management with lots of new faces - again, no idea. So I'm not confident or concerned, just clueless.

What a pessimistic lot! Give the new keeper a chance. Moaning 'cos he came from a Conference side. Warren from Newport County was a bit of an unknown and look at the results! Kidderminster and Cheltenham with the greatest respect are not in the upper echelon of English football but the complaining isn't the same about signings from there. Welcome one and all. Wear the colours - support the team! I'm sure the new boys will be just fine.