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Our first league game after the break is at home to a resurgent Partick team scoring for fun. If we can continue our winning streak, even by our now customary 1-0 victory, we really can consider ourselves genuine title contenders and look forward to the rest of the season with enormous confidence. It would help if the Glasgow Jags were welcomed to the Highlands by 3,000 plus noisy home fans.

Whatever criticism can be levelled, you cant fault the commitment and work rate of any of the squad and, at this level, as we are continuing to demonstrate, that can make all of the difference.

Not much between the sides but I think that was a deserved win for ICT. Whilst still not firing on all cylinders and not creating too many chances we were very well drilled at the back and worked exceptionally hard to close Killie down when they had the ball in more threatening areas. And when they did managed to wriggle free and get a cross in Devine and Broadfoot were almost always there to clear the danger. Allardice took a while to get going but he grew into the game and seemed to perform a lot better when he was working with Welsh after Dodds made some changes in the second half. Gardyne took his goal really well, nice wee burst of pace to get away from Naismith (?) in the box before rifling an effort into the roof of the net. Duku was a bit of the boil today I felt, he struggled to win any high balls up to him, but Sutherland was pretty decent. He put in a hell of a shift trying to close down the Killie CBs in the second half and had a decent opportunity to kill the game off when he tried to chip the keeper but got it all wrong. MotM for me though was MacGregor who started the game playing alongside Allardice and was perfectly fine but when he was pushed further up the pitch when Duku went off for Welsh he seemed to revel in this more advanced position and he showed some wonderful touches to drag the ball away from Killie players including one outrageous challenge / Cruyff turn he did on Burke (I think). He seemed to be at the heart of everything we tried to put together in the second half and although we didn't often get a chance at the end of any attacking move they almost all went through MacGregor. Hopefully the tape of the game can be destroyed so no opposing scouts see what he can do. Killie seemed to be reliant on long balls forward for Robinson to chase (when he was on the pitch) or for Burke to try and create something. He did come in for some harsh treatment during the game but I felt he also went down a bit too easily at times and I think the referee started to give him fewer decisions as a result. Polworth faded badly as the game went on and I don't even know if he had a touch for long periods of the second half. Killie just seemed a wee bit unsure of how to break us down. We definitely seem improved at the back now which is good. Ridgers did have a couple of decent saves to make in the first half but I can't recall him being too troubled in the second. Decent wee crowd down the road to support us and were in good voice throughout. Players definitely seemed to appreciate it after a few "mellow" home matches.

Who can you take to the game? I think its now a great time to reintroduceçpeople to the club.

Almost rubbing my eyes in disbelief looking at a table showing us 11 points and 10 goals ahead of big spending Dunfermline. I wonder if Toderov is now regetting rejecting our contract offer.

Yup. I just think sometimes we don't appreciate how good the players are these individuals are competing against. Would love to see the km ran by duku and Shane. I suspect we are using our subs much better in terms of aerobic impact than over previous seasons. I never felt comfortable in the last 15mins last season. I think we will really see this benefit later in the season. Is our fitness coach our best signing? We will know in january.

Just to add my tuppence worth: Ridgers probably had more to do yesterday than he did in all three previous league matches combined. I do wish he could keep his goal kicks and clearances on the pitch. Just aim up the middle, Mark Walsh didn't have a good day, but in previous matches he and Carson have been very effective attacking down the right. Sutherland - well, I said earlier I'd like to see McKay and Duku on together. I still can't make up my mind about Duku. He runs his socks off and puts himself about - I think it's great how he challenges the opposition when they are in possession deep inside their own half. But he covers so much ground that sometimes he isn't where you'd want him. And, as Johndo says, he's not a physical player. I wonder how he'll do on heavy winter pitches.

Read again Moog. I think that I echoed your views.

I found the game fascinating. Was intrigued by some of the harsher opinions on Deas . He was playing against one of the leagues top players in Burke. He was beaten a couple of times early on but his determination and support from gardyne kept us safe. I was very impressed. Similarly with allardices busy day containing one of the leagues stars in Polworth. Neither of these players were on top all game. But they were on top at the end containing two of the leagues largest threats.

Excellent result. What a win and delighted that Gardyne has got off the mark for us. Happy days indeed 🙂

When was the last time that we led a league after 4 matches. That was as good a vocal support at Killie as I have certainly witnessed. RIG sums the action up well but I have been busting to do a Smileymometer. Killie really did not look like scoring and we did look dangerous on the break. The only two negatives were that our final pass was abysmal and we could have racked up 4 or 5 otherwise. And I think that we could have employed swapping Gardyne and |Walsh on a regular basis (or was Gardyne played there becos of Burke ?)Gawd do we look solid defensively. A structured back four and three or four making a second line in front and everybody pressing. Killie tried to play football at the back but let themselves down with hoof tactics when they ran out of ideas. It was also a good idea to tag team Burke (WWE style) early doors. And what a bunch of whingers the Killie fans are. It was as if they were expecting a non contact sporting event. RIDGERS * * * Did not really have that much to do but you can sense that his confidence is high and the players in front of him know that he will be there as a practical and reliable sweeper. Commanding is the word. CARSON * * * Still not convinced that he is a wing back. Gives 100% and gets stuck in but needs to learn the role. BROADFOOT * * * * Uses his head and experience to good use. The Killie hoof played to his strengths, DEVINE * * * * Pleasantly surprised as I was unsure about his return but he and Broadfoot complimented each other. DEAS * * * Had the task of shackling Burke. That did not come to fruition in the first 10-15 minutes but Gardyne gave him the support he needed thereafter WALSH * * * Played his role but wasted on the right. Killie evidently sussed that he is very left footed. ALLARDICE * * * Did not notice him at the start but he grew into the game and filled in a few gaps later on and added to the defensive structure playing in the hole in front of B & D. McGREGOR * * * * * Thought that he was SUPERB, especially in the second half when he played further up. Some of his touches were SUBLIME. MOTM by a country mile GARDYNE * * * * Very impressed. Took goal well. Spent most of the match covering the danger of Burke. Ran his socks off and he an McGregor evidently are on the same wavelength. SUTHERLAND * * * * What he lacks in finesse he makes up for in effort and running, May well soon be a choice between him or Duku to partner Mckay. DUKU * * First time that I have watched him so I presume that he had a bad day at the office. I felt that he did not deal with the physicality. To be able to bring Welsh, Doran and Mckay off the bench - well enuff said

Felt we really deserved that today not enough credit given to the hard work stopping Killie playing their game. Our midfield and defence were solid and worked well to make any advance by Killie snuffed out. Great scrappy win and full credit to the boys... Brilliant

It is so easy to get caught up in the comings and goings (and coming back again) of the corona virus situation, so well done to all the team for keeping the joy in our lives in these unsettled times. Great win. Thanks boys.