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Had a brilliant weekend up in Inverness with my wife, who is a confirmed Caley supporter now. Best game I have seen at the TCS, Dundee might not have been brilliant, but you have to beat whats in front of you and Caley's game shaped what Dundee could do. Have to say the defence is looking pretty sound, Tremarco has come on so much in a couple of years, almost Shinnie-like in solidity and influence going forward. Brad Mckay looks a decent full back and had two brilliant assists, can you ask for much more? David Raven is going to have to accept some bit-parts this season (unless there are injuries) but still a pretty useful guy to have around. The front three (or four including Fisher as sub) all impressed me, given they came for bugger all. Wasn't sure what to expect from Doumbouya, but he's definitely an upgrade on the centre forwards we've had in the last season and a half (as is Fisher), quite mobile, decent touch, does a fair bit of work and wins some good headers, but he doesn't use his size to his advantage enough and thus misses out on headers for long balls out of defence, also a bit clumsy in challenges ...but as we say at the Palace, if he was the finished product he wouldn't be playing for us. Overall though Draper had a good game, especially in the first half when he was further forward, yes he can give the ball away, but I think that what happens when you in the thick of it alot. So all in all the early season doom and gloom, doesn't currently look justified, given what we had sitting on the bench as well (and no Raven?), but it's a long season of course. Yet another trip where the weather was pretty good, so another bonus, and we took the train up from Edinburgh to enjoy the trip through the Highlands (which you can do if the advance 1st class ticket is only a tenner!) and also went past Raith Rovers ground in Kirkcaldy which for some reason excited me! (Nice beaches nearby I think which could top off a trip for an away match sometime in the future). Had to laugh at the over officious security at Inverness Airport who made us change our zipped plastic liquids bags for something they approved of, and then gave mine back unsealed, with the statement 'yeah, well, we know the bag will seal' ...seriously? As usual our Easyjet flight back to London was delayed, which is just a bit irritating

Mckay with another impressive performance yesterday to get it right up me again. Long may it continue!

...and who could forget

I've accidentally pasted this and can't seem to get rid of it unless I post it. This bears no resemblance to any person involved in the SPFL. Regarding their tactics on Saturday.

We didn't play too badly against an Aberdeen side with Miles Storey and Craig Storie included. Almost had an equaliser in the first half but their keeper made a point blank save. Second half Aberdeen were on top for the first fifteen and Storey scored on the turn in the box. He looked really powerful and caused problems with his bursting runs. We had a thunderous shot tipped onto bar and over as we came more into it and another couple of half chances we failed to convert. I was impressed with our standard considering the poor results we have had, but for an inexperienced side we acquitted ourselves well although Aberdeen always looked to be the stronger side, and so it proved.

Don, why don't we announce the away support like they do at Partick, Aberdeen etc? It would certainly shut up some people on P&B who like nothing more than a good crowdw**k.

Bannerman surreptitiously calls for a ICT and Tinkerville merger. Presumably the vote will be rigged at the Munlochy Community Centre. I would say that one reason that it never looks like a game is on in Inverness is the placement of the ground for the away support. Many Supporters buses stop en route to Sneck (Aviemore) and then motor directly to the ground. Car drivers are probably of the same ilk. The traditional Rail support are the only ones seen down town. Lets face it though - after the glory season we significantly disappointed last season. It is early doors and the only way to attract more attenders is by winning and entertaining at the same time. For us that is a massive task, But as I attempted to emphasise in the opening post we really do look to have the potential with the current squad. Teams are taking points off each other and put together a wee winning streak and you get attention and you get the "cant be bothered" stay away fans coming back. I was looking for 13-14. Well that is three in the bag and the signs are that we could realistically gain that cache of points if not more. And I may as well bite on the pre-merger stuff. In the days of the 70's there were mini-crowds when entertaining the likes of Rothes, Lossiemouth etc. but there were crowds well in excess of the TCS average for many games. Those were the days when Caley and Thistle were the "wee teams" of the predominant Old Firm support. On many match days they turned out to watch their local team. It is not all about a small number of diehards. If your parents and your close family have an original affiliation to a "big" team from that area you will undoubtedly be influenced and the merger will be derided and mocked.

Two scorers today (25 Sep) - Johnny Hayes for Aberdeen in a 2-1 home win against the Rangers and - Dani Sanchez (yet again) in a 2-1 home defeat for FC Jazz v JJK in Finland

Easy win for Inverness yesterday. Dundee were really poor and after going two down largely resorted to aimless punts up the park. Aside from a good start to the second half where they had us pinned back most of the game was a stroll and we seldom looked in any real danger for the majority of the match. Draper should have put us one up when he good play down the right between Mulraney and Mckay found him lurking just outside the six yard area but he shot straight at Bain who turned it over. The opening goal came down the same side when Mckay sent a cross in and it was met by the head of Doumbouya who flicked his header beyond the diving Bain. A well deserved lead for ICT and a second came when King broke into the box and was bundled over by Etxabeguren. Looked like the incident took place just inside the very corner of the box so a penalty was the right call. Tansey easily beat Bain to put Inverness firmly in control. Whilst we still looked comfortable for the majority of the first half there was a couple of times where we were slack when defending. Mulraney and Polworth both had their pockets picked which led to decent chances for Dundee. Polworth got an earful from Warren as sophia mentions for his blunder. Dundee as trialled a rather odd corner routine which saw about 5 of their players line up beyond the back post on the goal line and then charge to the penalty spot when as the corner was taken. The ball sailed over all of them. Start of the second half saw Dundee really hem ICT in as they tried to get a goal back but for their pressure they didn't really create anything of note and Inverness killed the game off when Draper tussled with McGowan and the ball fell to Brad "Feed the Wolf" Mckay and he charged forward towards the Dundee goal and played in Polworth who finished low past Bain. Polworth almost set up a fourth goal for ICT when he seized on a loose backpass, rounded Bain and teed up Mulraney who shot straight at Bain who had gotten back to his goal. Warren, Draper and Mckay all then head efforts cleared off the line in quick succession as Dundee failed to clear a corner. Low got one back for Dundee from a free kick but it was scarcely deserved given how poor they had been. Great performances from the likes of Mckay, Warren and Polworth yesterday. Polworth started alongside Tansey with Vigurs dropping out and he later swapped with Draper to play behind the striker for most of the second half and he was buzzing all over the park. Very impressive game. Mckay was solid again at right back and I felt he linked well with Mulraney who tormented the Dundee left back for most of the game. Two assists as well for the hungry wolf. Not bad at all and delighted at how wrong Ihave been about the guy so far. Long may it continue!

Well said. I specifically logged on to sing Brad's praises. Wonderful cross for the first goal. Great composure and selfless play laying on Polworth for the third. A quality footballer who happens to be a defender. Great signing. Raven always holds a special place for a certain semi-final goal but Brad Mckay offers a good deal more in an attacking sense.

Comfortable win, but sat back a bit after second goal. I felt at half time we needed a third, and it was a good counter attacking goal. Fon Williams had a couple of saves, but on the whole the defence was ok. First sighting of Mckay and felt he did well. Just a pity Dundee scored to defy a clean sheet. Mulraney's pace evident, and King lively at times too. After second, Draper dropped deeper alongside Tansey with Polly playing further up supporting Doumbouya. The ref seemed to have an issue with Doumbouya's physicality but he took his goal well, as did Polly. Want to see the penalty on tv, as it might have been soft, or I possibly missed part of it. All three subs were lively, and Doran cannot be far from a starting place. I liked the look of Cole in his brief cameo appearance. All in all, a satisfying afternoon and up to 8th. Hopefully a win next week takes us further away from the foot of the table, but after the last two games I have been to (St Johnstone and today), I am a lot more positive about how things are shaping up.

Well, both are good lads. One needs more experience and the other more games. They will need to work hard on bedding in and we wish both of them well. The lad from England may have some adjusting to do to the pace of the game and understanding the brogues but seems like a good chance for him to do really well. As for Brad there is no point in looking back, just work hard fit in and let it flow and remember real talent will out.