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What is relevant here is last night's crowds. St Mirren, boosted by their victory OTB in the last match, had their lowest crowd of the season. Partick's previous season's low was 2914 but last night only 2138 turned out to watch them thrash Hamilton. There is no doubt that crowds are reduced on a cold January evening and on that evidence our crowd was clearly 500-1000 better than it would have been had the pay what you want initiative not been in place.

Sorry to get into this DD, but having spoken to Yogi after almost every game of his tenure thus far, he hasn't changed his philosophy one jot. It's simple - if we keep the ball the opposition can't hurt us. It's also pretty effective, we've scored a lot of second half goals as teams tire after being moved around so much. Under TB, we would increasingly put long diagonal balls into the channels for crosses but there were times when it really didn't work. Now, that ball is played into those channels effectively. In terms of change from TB to JH, the transition was quite painful as the style of game was changed radically - hence that "slump" at the end of last season. The first bit of that was to teach players that they were good enough to play this type of game ( and not hang them out to dry for their mistakes) and then get them to do it. They never had that type of approach under TB. Look at Hughes's interviews and see how often he uses terms like "teach" "educate" "learn" What you are seeing now is a group who have outgrown TB's legacy and surpassed it with some ease. This is due to Hughes & Latapy. Please bear in mind that the players you refer to were identified in England's lower leagues by Steve Marsalla for their low price and potential and it's under Hughes that they are realising it and increasing their value. This is no more Butcher's team than anyone else's - it's Caley Thistle's team but it's Hughes that is taking it forward.

Great video and it looks as if it was a good weather night too. Thanks for that. Tremarco seems like a strong and very determined player and coming on with determination. Boy, there is confidence and verve in this team ICT and they look hungry. I love the colours and professional look of the team strip. Now they are looking like an up and coming, top class, well managed outfit. This team seems as if it is developing well and is becoming stronger and stronger by the minute. I am very glad for John Hughes. This type of performance and attitude vindicates his being hired and also his style of football.

I've been a bit naughty and have been looking at what records we could set this season... Here's a quite extraordinary stat. We're only in January and have played 'just' 22 games of the 38 match program - but, with 14 wins, we've already surpassed the number of wins we achieved (13), when we secured our highest ever league position of 4th! Our highest is 16, so another 3 victories in the remaining 16 matches would set a record. Highest ever points total, fewest goals conceded and best goal-difference are other realistic possibilities. But we mustn't get ahead of ourselves, so stop it!

Sorry DoofersDad, but I think you are looking for comparisons to justify your early (and some continued) thoughts on Yogi's managerial acumen. It's far too easy to pick a single match under the old managerial personnel and draw comparisons to one game under the new guy. You have to take a wider view and and there's no way you can say that Butchers philosophy of hoofing balls down the channels is anything like the way we play now. I'm not saying that they way Butcher played was right or wrong, but it wasn't nearly as enjoyable to watch as the football is now...and arguably not as successful. I also think it does the players a huge injustice to suggest they are only just getting back to where they were before in terms of performances. These are guys who have (arguably not for the first time) re-invented the way they've been playing the game and pushed themselves on to another, higher, level. What's more....we are once again a team that is improving week on week, the same team that some thought had plateaued under Butcher.

Time taken for ICT to notch up their last 4 wins: 20 days Time taken for Ross County to notch up their last 4 wins: 260 days

That's an amazing stat! But, sadly, not quite true! In 96/97 on the way to our first promotion, we had 47 points from 22 games. Damn! But having 44 from 22 games in the top-flight is staggering.

I was there for 75 minutes. Nothing much between the teams but we didn't create much tbh. Christie was playing in a very deep position and This wasn't one of poor Polworths better days. A bit of trivia for anyone old enough to remember Wilson Robertson. His son was playing number 3 for Dons.

It was pretty amazing the international interest we had in the "Pay What You Can" initiative and Al Jazeera even sent a reporter to the game to do a short feature on it. Anyone make the video reel? http://www.aljazeera.com/sport/football/2015/01/what-you-can-at-football-stadium-2015121123927397657.html

While I was hoping that Yogi would prove me wrong when I doubted him never in my wildest dreams did I think he would prove me this wrong!!! He stuck by his footballing philosophies and they have come to fruition big time, great passing and movement and we totally played the Saints off the park, the idea that Billy couldn't play in his system has now also be totally dispelled. Full credit to Yogi and his coaching staff along with players who must have worked so hard to get used to this system.

Great result, and a decent crowd for a cold Tuesday night in Jan. I imagine the directors will see the 'pay what you can' experiment as being successful. Well done to them for showing initiative. But the biggest plaudits are to Yogi and the team. A clear 3rd in the SPFL is no more than we deserve. What a great 2015 it has been so far. Roll on Saturday.

I wouldn't touch Ross County players with a barge pole! I think we should stick to the same transfer strategy we've had the last few seasons trying to unearth gems of the lower leagues in England trying to make a name for themselves who could be undoubtedly be better calibre of player than the two listed above county players.

These beasties are almost a match for some of the seagulls we now get around these parts!

I confess, I underestimated John Hughes - but am delighted to admit it! Although we've players to get signed-up, I agree with Kingsmills (from an earlier post) that we should be looking to extend the manager's contract. He's proved his worth. I was a huge Terry Butcher fan but the club will always be bigger than any personality. Here's a table to celebrate both Terry and Yogi's time at the club - and Robbo's, of course! But, Paterson (for me) remains the 'God' for improving our then novice club, year-on-year in the Scottish League. Key: Red = best ever Year = season ending (ie 2004/05 = 2005) Any entry = 'best ever' or equalled 'best ever', at the time New nomenclature used ie (old 3rd Division = League Two)

Yeah, I did wonder about that season Sneckboy when I heard the stat. I wondered if they just meant top flight seasons? It's not good enough - 5 points off the mark. Hughes must go... Man I loved that 96/97 season! Also to this day my favourite ICT top.

It is very illuminating to compare Tuesday's performance with a match which took place 15 months ago at Easter Road. In that game, ICT won 2 - 0 and it could have been 4 or 5. The style of play was both exciting and skillful and drew comments on the match day thread such as this from AJS "We raced into that lead with ease as Hibs ran out of ideas almost straight from kick off, despite a couple of shaky moments at the back from Brill. Doran, Watkins, Ross and Shinnie overpowered their back line with some fine passing and smart runs". Sound familiar? What is also remarkable is the similarity in starting line ups: of the 11 that started at Easter Road only Foran was missing from Tuesday's starting line up. One slight difference is that on Tuesday we moved up to 3rd in the league - on 9 Nov 2013 we moved up to 2nd. It is true that Butcher behaved despicably at the end of his contract and it is also true that Hughes is a likable and engaging character, but that should not cloud our memories to the fact that Hughes inherited a squad of exceptional players who were capable of playing exceptional football. It seems to me that the similarities of the two games mark Tuesday's game as a key point in Hughes' tenure as manager. After the dismal slump at the end of last season, the team is now back on track and back up to playing at the level it was when Hughes arrived. We now have to see if he can sustain this for the rest of the season and beyond. I'm afraid I am not yet ready to join the Hughes love fest quite yet. What he has done has been done with the players he inherited. It has also been achieved by moving away from the philosophy he was espousing this time last year. Then he was commenting that whilst Butcher liked to use width, he wanted his team to pass the ball through the middle. Full backs were stopped from making surging runs down the flanks but fortunately he has now realised that using the width of the park is one of the strengths of the team. In the last 2 home games we have had great goals scored following the ball being played wide into space for Raven and Tremaco to run onto. Not only does this tactic obviously work, it is also exciting to watch. We are therefore back to where we started by virtue of having the luxury of a settled side and by a change of heart in the style of play. One thing that is different is a stronger emphasis on possession and it is this aspect which may be the key to whether Hughes can take the team forward or not. Butcher's philosophy was essentially "you can't score unless the ball is in their half and you won't concede if the ball is in their half". Hughes' philosophy is "you can't score unless you've got the ball and they won't score if you've got the ball". Butcher's philosophy led to a a faster pace and a more gung ho approach. Hughes' philosophy leads to a more measured and patient approach. What we need to see and I think are perhaps beginning to see is a combination of the 2 philosophies - "you'll score more if you've got the ball in their half". As players get more comfortable in possession and that little bit slicker and accurate with their passing they need to be a bit bolder in playing the ball into the gaps and getting the ball forward quicker. I give credit to Hughes for getting us back on track by appreciating what the strengths of the team are and moderating his style accordingly, but I think there are a couple of things he needs to achieve before I become a fully signed up member of the Yogi fan club. Firstly, he needs to up the pace of the possession football. If a focus in training is keeping possession and passing quickly then if the players are developing in this they should be able to play more incisive balls forward. It would be good to see less of the side to side and then back to the keeper stuff that so many people find exasperating. Using the width of the park creates more space for this. Signs are promising that progress is being made in this regard and I am optimistic that Hughes can take this team to a higher level. We should be able to judge him on that at the end of this season. Secondly, he needs to demonstrate that he can bring in new players who are comfortable playing the system. Hughes has been incredibly lucky to inherit such a great squad and to be able to retain them into his 2nd season. Clearly we are going to lose players this summer and new ones will need to be brought in. We won't be able to judge him on that till the end of next season. Having pulled things round from the disappointments of his early months, I am optimistic that Hughes can take this team forward. But lets not get carried away - it's still far too early for the statue.

While we are all naughtily getting ahead of ourselves, with last night's results going our way, a win on Saturday will put us eight points clear of the fifth place team giving us a great chance of at least equaling our highest ever league position which may, in itself, be enough for European qualification this season.

My first game at the stadium for well I don't honestly remember cause 1. I work basically every Saturday and 2. its too expensive so last night's incentive was brilliant. The game was absolutely brilliant dominant performance from start to finish extra crowd as well shame it wasn't more than 2. My other half was more than happy with her first ever caley game so all in all brilliant night out :)

Laid up at the moment so didn't manage to follow this game properly'. Sounds like we are a class act but I've got to get my dig in!. Why is it that when we play a team off the park the Pundits say we played against a poor side, or an off form side, or a weakened side Why don't the B****** see that we, ICT, make teams look that way because we play so much better than them and they can't cope with us. Well done the lads Back to bed now.

Just watched the highlights and we gave them a real belting! Quality football played by quality players led by a quality coach. Beautiful!

Sublime one touch passing for those not there!! Indeed a masterclass of passing. We need to keep our feet on the ground in terms of one game at a time. Hamilton is a very difficult venue. Ross County will really fancy their chances and Partick away in the cup is about the worst draw we could have got.

A masterclass in possession football. Well done lads - tricky to pick a MoM!

Has to be a contender for best performance of the season. Everyone was excellent. Tremarco had a shaky start but grew into one of our best players as the game went on. Shinnie had his best game for a while at right back. Warren and Meekings solid as ever. Saints are one of the most dangerous teams in the league from corners and set pieces but they didn't even get a sniff tonight. I can only recall one occasion where a Saints player won a header from an attacking corner. Tremendous stuff. Our midfield completely bossed the game, a real 'beast mode' showing from big Drapes, his crunching tackle on 'you know who' was especially pleasing. Our attacking play tore the dilapidated Saints back 4 to shreds, we could quite easily have had a cricket score if we'd been a bit more clinical / lucky in the final third.

We'll done Yogi and the lads. A fine start to my day!