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Well, despite the stab-in-the-back ending (and it did feel like a mugging, as opposed to being outplayed - not least thanks to their unprovoked aggressive attitude, like sulky teenagers aware that they are being outclassed), that was a terrific game to be at, great support, atmosphere; the kind of game you couldn’t really take your eyes off for a second. Robbo was right - that was daylight robbery. Weirdly, in spite of the disbelief we felt walking away, there was also a certain amount of pride in the way we played. We played them off the park for long periods, with the kind of passing and moving we have had in the best periods of our history. If you remember where we were this time last year, and how we were at the beginning of this season, when I saw them last, there is a huge improvement. The most pleasing thing for me is how we played as a team - instead of that disjointed scattergun approach we seemed to have, this felt like a coherent unit who knew their positions and had a plan, getting the ball down the channels and behind their defence generated a lot of chances. Walsh in particular looks like an essential part of this team now. Of course it is a massive letdown to come away with nothing, but there was ample evidence that Robbo is moulding the team into a good football side who have nothing to fear from the distinctly unimpressive league leaders. We all know about the scoring problem, but with at least one more fresh face in this week, and Oakley to come back, if we can build on that performance we will come good. A strong second half to the season and we can challenge those above us. The next two games will be very interesting. I hope we can carry through the positives from that performance. The players deserve a bit of credit for it.

Rather than goals per start, how about goals per shot, or per shot on target. The fact is we are creating enough to win most games comfortably - having two misfiring strikers rather than one ( whilst surrendering midfield numbers) won't help the cause in most cases. This isn't a particularly new issue, we haven't been converting chances for two or three years now. We've tried different combinations and in desperation thrown forwards on in games but it has seldom done much good. Quality, not quantity.

Not true we need two on the park at same time White has scored seven in seven starts should be starting all the time with one other and should be tried playing with Oakley as we haven’t started any game out of twenty five with this pairing. What would be the harm in giving it a go What we need is a player who can put a decent cross int the box that gets past the first defender as far too often this doesn’t happen but look what happened when it did from Walsh corner White met it so well and scored an excellent goal which most on here seem to forget that it was a cracking finish. Wish the fans would get behind the guy and give him the vocal support he deserves or are we going to moan if he moves and does it elsewhere. Confidence is everything for Strikers and chopping and changing does nothing for confidence , it’s starting games that count and the bigman whilst did have some poor touches on Saturday but all in all led the line well and scored an excellent goal Also I think it was him who had the diving header that was shown in County highlights, it was an incredible save by the keeper. Some other posters have said said that it would be good for midfielders to get on the goals too but it just seems to be that its White who gets the majority blame for a perceived lack of goals. Some joker even said he only gets taps ins , that’s what a good number 9 does , as he is where the ball should be placed for the tap ins.Listened to Pat Bonner on radio the other day and he said strikers need good balls into box . It really is time to take the White hating glasses off and give the lad support like we do Coll Donaldson as the support to Coll is fantastic but don’t we all think that if we supported White like that it may help as surely as a supporter that is what we should go to games to do rather than be critics.

Let them have him guy can't cross the road let alone the ball tho tbf Ieast he existed beginning to think Robbos been on the wind up Beiths not actually real!

Give them Beith back while we're at it. As Trump would put it:

Now the dust has settled I will add my thoughts. Lots of people in the mallard used the thrase we were robbed but we shot ourselves in the foot like we have done with many of the draws of we accumulated so far. Our lack of cutting edge has cost us points and Saturday was no different. In all three derbies Caley have played some great football but lack of goals has seen us pick up 2pts instead of 9 that we deserved. First game was tightest but we should have been clear in the first hour and then our home game we missed a hatful. Saturday we dominated throughout, county had chances but we had the better ones before we murdered them second half. Had that been a boxing fight then county would have thrown in the towel. But we failed to take any of our glorious chances including a wonderful chance for tom Walsh, who was exceptional without having that killer pass or strike to back it up. We had a better team in 09/10 when we came back from 12 Pts behind Dundee and we are 13 Pts behind county but realistically we are in the battle to stay in the play offs and chance our luck in that. Mixed emotions so proud of the performance but gutted by the result but we stick together and whatever will be will be in 2019 - Happy New Year to everyone!!!!!!

Agreed - that was a cracking goal from White. What I also noticed was just after that County had their only sustained spell of pressure, for about 10 minutes. We needed all hands on deck, and White was back on the edge of our box, harrying and tackling, helping out the defence with no little success (and not conceding free kicks). Hopefully that is the kind of work ethic Robbo is instilling, that kind of commitment, work rate and together attitude will be invaluable.

If that had gone in White would be our hero rather than the villian many have cast him as!!

We could play with 3 or 4 strikers, what difference would it make if they can't hit the target? We create more than enough chances. We need one striker who can score.

Sitting in the house posting ridiculously bitter and angry comments as we were unfortunate to lose a game we had done enough to win against a side with double our player budget. We were all disappointed to lose the derby but some people need some sense of perspective.

Whilst I quite liked Storey when he was with us, he has scored only 2 goals for Partick all year, not exactly the form of a player who could really have made a difference for us.

We dominate the middle because we play 5 midfielders. We have possession without penetration. Our sole outlet is White against 2 central defenders. No-one there to get knock downs or to make a late run to draw markers off White. I'd take the chance of giving up some possession and see if Austin can take that deeper role. He's got the skill but can he be badgered into giving his all? Not convinced but, without buying, no-one else can do it.

Yesterday's game proved we need to bin White and Austin who's out of contract anyway get rid of Beith whos never gonna play and get a half decent striker in even on loan without a goal scorer we'll struggle to stay in the top 4 another season or 2 in the championship gonna be the death of the club!

...in games obviously. Best not to start him in the festive derby game, or even bring him on chasing the game if we're a couple down. Don't think he's the type to hold back in a 50/50 which could easily end up with him out for longer.

Not quite sure what you mean BDU. But my thoughts are running along the lines that the Vancouver Whitecaps new management might have difficulty in finding good players at the drop of a hat and might wish for players with at least NASL experience since a new Manager has his or her hands full right from the word go. Also I would expect that they would be quite prepared to buy out any residual contract affecting ICT' so that our Inverness team will not suffer. Having seen the films of roaring fans in their thousands I doubt that that club is running on monetary fumes! Have I answered your rather deprecatory and cynical thoughts now? Frankly I really don't give a hoot for the Vancouver team but thought an opportunity might be there for both OFW and Caley Thistle to benefit. Now, you have a merry Christmas tomorrow, BDU, and also New Year when it arrives. And the same to all loyal ICT fans and friends.

Just read online that we are fighting it out with County to bring Mulraney back on loan from Hearts

For what it's worth, I am not your 'bud'.

Is tomorrow April 1st or January 1st ? Hope this rumour has no foundation Mulraney did yee haw when here and is a dirty,violent thug on the pitch and would certainly not want to be back here County are welcome to him i cant wait to see him & Gardyne in same team ?

I'd have Mulraney in our side ahead of Doran at the moment.