Leaderboard

We have, so far, probably done what was expected of us and done so quite efficiently. The football establishment, the bookies, the Central Belt commentators and, in all probability, most of us were not surprised that we finished third or fourth. It again almost certainly came as no great surprise that all of the above, on balance, expected us to overcome Ayr. Now we enter into different territory and need to do the unexpected. The bookies have the Arabs as favourites to progress, the football authorities and the vast majority of of pundits do too and certainly hope so. They already have the token Highland club back in the top tier and would much rather have the natural order restored and a."big club" promoted. In truth, while we are hopeful, many of us expect United to progress too. So, let's confound the bookies and disappoint the pundits by doing the unexpected. We have done it before and there is no reason why we can't do it now. Then we can look at adding another chapter to our short but remarkable history by once more confounding and disappointing all but ourselves by becoming the first team ever finishing below second in the Championship to successfully negotiate the play offs.

What is broken and be mended. What hurts can be healed. And no matter how dark it gets, the sun is going to shine again - hopefully on James Keatings in Inversneckie. I just simply admire "sufferers" who put their message across in such a meaningful and understandable way. When you have been there it is frightening but clearer. RESPECT.

Which I guess reinforces the point the original and subsequent posters made. The dead wood self preservation types in charge of Scottish football need to be moved on . Let's hope ICT can make it a first..................

Not our finest performance but as others have said we were clearly playing within ourselves ahead of a potentially very touch schedule so I can see why the players weren't bursting a gut as they might have been if it was a league game. Did get pretty nervous after Ayr scored and throughout most of the game as they created most of the decent (half) chances. Delighted when Donaldson / Polworth combined to seal the tie with that late goal. I think we did handle most of what Ayr threw at us pretty well. McCart again was a stand out for me. He's such a class defender at such a young age. His reading of the game and timing in the challenge is quite simply superb. Get him a contract extension ASAP please.

I understand the play offs in league 2 where highland and lowland league champions meet to decide who plays the bottom team. Only twigged this year that league 1 + 2 play offs match 2nd bottom of upper league v 4th in lower league and 2nd and 3rd then a final. Why does the championship/premier not work the same way? Second bottom in premier earned their place and don't deserve the protection of only playing in the final, in my opinion.

I was brought up in Fort William and my postal address before postcodes came in was Fort William, Invernessshire. When Highland Region was formed, Lochaber District Council came into being, but Lochaber was never a "shire" so Invernessshire it was and is.

Back on track, here's the team from our preview

Dont know much about the lad, but looks like a good signing on the face of it. Credit where it is due and well done to all concerned.

Very pleased with that. It probably does mean that Austin will be off but, in my view Keatings will be a far more effective player whether in the Championship or the Premiership. Let's hope he does sing often but only when we're winning. As a critic of the current board, credit where it's due, I did not expect us to be making signings of this quality. Certainly not when our status for next season is still uncertain.

Agreed. We have a habit of making history.

Repost in sober mode please???

good point

I think its minimum pricing set by spfl Whilst not too bothered at prices personally I do conceed this has caught a lot of folk out. Families thinking they had paid for season for instance. As above a family of mum, dad and 2 kids would be an extra £46 tomorrow night.

Plus £8 per child under 12so a family of three would pay an extra £19. Family friendly club? Why scrap the under 12's free just pricing games out of family budgest. Ludicrous. Especially as the spfl takes a sizeable chunk of the cash to fund the parachute payment for the premier league side.

Delighted with this signing. Has good form in the Championship previously for Hamilton, Hearts and Hibs. Suspect this means Austin will be off. ETA: Love Keatings for being brave enough to speak out about mental health as well: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dundee-united-star-james-keatings-12404502.amp

Does he play football as well as singing ??

You will be hoping for a double as usual and I hope so as well.

If the Gruesome Twosome want to enter colt teams in the Lowland League, they can knock themselves out. It’s the expansion of the league to allow them entry I object to.

Can we cut out the personal stuff and get this back on topic please?

Have to agree with Gregor. The aim for yesterday was to progress to the next round as are the games against Utd. Don't care if we play really badly or are outplayed as long as we progress. Team are trying their hardest to do it for the fans so let's stop the carping and get behind the team

Because we started the game 3-1 up! I made a rare trip north yesterday to see us getting through to the next round of the play-offs. Couldn't care less about the performance, we did what we needed to do and if we got through it without any injuries or suspensions then we've managed it well.

For those criticising the team for looking tired, uninterested or 'in holiday mode', bear in mind that yesterday was the fiftieth competitive game of the season for our small squad now coming at two a week. The remarkable thing is not that they look a bit fatigued but that they are still in the hunt at all and continue to be so. We should be proud of them all.

Great to see our under 18s parade their trophy this afternoon and get the applause of the crowd.

We knew Ayr would come out flying, as they felt hard done to on Tuesday and had nothing to lose. 3-1 is a tough one tactics wise. Do we sit in and play on the break, or try to go for it? That caused some nervousness on the pitch and safety first play, rather than anything bold. Ayr deservedly took the lead, and kept on the front foot in the first half. I thought we weathered the storm, and the second was pretty even. The equaliser settled things, and made it "job done" which was the priority. I only recall one save by Ridgers, so we handled them pretty well. Any word on Walsh or Mckay? Hope both are fit for Tuesday. As others have said, a cup semi, third in the league and now a play off semi is quite an achievement given our budget, so let's give full support on Tuesday. We beat them in the cup, so have nothing to fear! Of the players, Ridgers had no chance with the goal. Mckay and McHattie were targeted by Ayr's wide men, whilst Donaldson and McCart were solid. Trafford continues to grow in importance, although we did not see much from Chalmers. Walsh was struggling with injury, whilst Doran had a few decent moves. Polworth had a decent game, and was so close to giving Doran a one on one with the 'keeper. White was a menace. McDonald did very well, whilst Rooney was solid. Not our best afternoon, but I'd have taken a scrappy 1-1 before kick off, and we are still in contention. Well done guys!!

Question is : can caley beat Utd Answer is : yes Evidence to support : they have already dunnit. Further evidence ; for those who need it. None needed. Do it again. Simple.

Really looked like we were playing within ourselves today, likely with Tuesday in mind? Maybe that was the tactics or are the players just exhausted? Was an anxious spectacle for us fans and might have been very worrying had Ayr got a second goal before we got ours! Still we're through and that's what counts. Impressed by MacDonald when he came on. Would be great to get him back in on loan again next season.

Realised that after I posted but couldn't be bothered changing it ?

Far simpler to have 2nd bottom of SPL play 2nd top of championship over two legs.

It's all to do with doing the most to help the premiership team stay up, very unfair but then that's the SFA for you

Probably as protection for the team in the Premiership.

Absolutely agree. Whilst there have, of course, been some failures, Robbo has proved that he has a much better eye for a player, even on a much much lower budget, than either of his two immediate predecessors.

It’s unfair to let a team who finishes 4th in a league of 10 to be able to win promotion. The playoffs will never suit everyone but they are fun none the less.