RiG

Smashing result. Can't wait to pump Dundee Untied 24 - 1 now.

Totally bummed out that I am missing this. Cracking scoreline so far and fingers crossed it gets even better second half.

Not raging I'm missing this game at all, no sir.

Game on!

I hope not he was absolutely rotten for Falkirk against us earlier this season. I know that's just one game but he's prone to brain farts and making crucial mistakes. We'd be as well re-signing Devine.

Pitch inspection tomorrow apparently:

Quite possibly a virus. He might have been checked over after the Livi game and showed signs of concussion then. I'm sure the (local) papers will have some info on it early next week.

He had a head knock against Livi so I wonder if it is related to that? Maybe something to do with concussion?

I agree with you. He makes mistakes and they can be some realy frustrating errors but the amount of hate he gets from the stands is absolutely ridiculous.

Another frustrating performance from ICT today. The same issues that have been evident on so many occasions this season were yet again on show today. A clear lack of clinical edge, poor play in the final third, lack of width, slow in closing down the opposition and defensive errors leading to a goal. We really do know how to make it hard for ourselves. St. Mirren were quickly out of the traps and whilst we were able to knock the ball around a bit at the back their forward line worked so hard to close us down we often ended up battering the ball in the vague direction of Austin / Oakley or seeing our shorter passes being pounced on by the Buddies players harassing our every move. A slack ball out of defence by Warren was seized up on by Saints and a couple of quick passes later Reilly burst into the box, delaying his shot leading to Tremarco going flying past him with his attempt at a heroic last ditch tackle, before rifling the ball into the roof of the net. Saints continued to look a threat for most of the first half and they easily cut open our defence with some clever balls in between full back and centre back which left us woefully exposed at times. Our attempts on goal were largely restricted to long range efforts which didn't really trouble Samson. Doran (I think) had a decent chance when he sent a half volley wide of goal. Disappointing to be behind at half time but Saint Mirren thoroughly merited it and they were unlucky not to be further ahead when Stelios cut in from the right flank and sent a cross / shot in which bounced off the bar with Ridgers looking beaten. Second half was a real improvement from us. When we got the ball down on the floor and passed it around utilising the wide areas (especially when Mulraney came on and Chalmers pushed further out on the left) we started to create some excellent chances. Unfortunately, as seen so often this season, we wasted every single one of them thanks to some limp finishing, some good saves and a bit of luck for the Buddies. Oakley missed perhaps the best chance of the game for us when he somehow failed to turn in a neat cut back from Trafford (again I think) who had raced along the goal line and picked him out just outside the six yard box. His tame effort went straight to Samson. Oakley also wasted a good header towards the end of the game. Bell saw his fierce shot blocked by Samson at close range, Doran curled a shot wide of the post from just outside the area, Mckay headed straight at Samson from a corner and Polworth saw his effort scrambled off the line by Samson. Saints also had some opportunities to extend their lead in the second half but were often snuffed out by some desperate last ditch defending from the likes of Warren and we looked to get a break from Collum when Ridgers failed to collect a crossed ball dropping it at the feet of a Buddies player who tapped it into the net but somehow we were given a free kick for a "foul" on Ridgers. A very lucky break for us there. Definitely disappointing to come away empty handed given the chances that we passed up but if you don't take these chances and continue to waste them then we can't complain much. Polworth had a good game for us today although he was at times wasteful with the ball when attacking he covered so much of the pitch both defending and supporting the attack he gets massive respect for his effort. Doran also had a decent game as well despite being subbed. He swanned past opposition players like they weren't there at times. I think he'd be really useful as a number ten playing behind the striker (as many others have said before). Warren had some heroic blocks but was also culpable for some pretty dodgy passes out of defence which put us under pressure. Most players did fine but nothing amazing. Man of the day Raven spent a fair chunk of the game being roasted by Morgan and was lucky not to be booked on a few occasions after hauling him down. Despite this he also chipped in with some great challenges and blocks at the back and was an excellent support down the right flank when we were attacking. With Falkirk on Tuesday we need to seriously sharpen up on our finishing. Missing four or five guilt edged chances a game simply cannot go on.

Didn't look like it was over at the game TBF. What was more bizarre was Samson punching the ball out of play in the resultant melee and Collum giving a goal kick.

Yeah but attitude problem and all that.

Robertson is definitely right in that there have been some shocking officiating displays in games involving us especially in recent weeks but it's time we start taking some responsibility for our actions. All of the recent red cards have been justified and we should look at ourselves before lashing out and blaming the referees. All the other sides are having to put up with their shite as well.

Amid what seemed like a glut of away games against County where we pumped them on their own patch never forget this stunning strike from Raven which nearly made Brittain explode the red faced mess

Never forget....

Thought that as well but the ICT account is still tweeting about ticket offers (or something) and nothing about a pitch inspection so I'll take that as good news!

Some assist by Baird for the second goal.

Our season in a nutshell.

Completely agree with this, excellent post.

It's absolutely nothing to do with this fictitious last man "rule". Unfortunately it was a clear red card, one of the few times the referee actually showed a degree of authority and got the decision right.

Morton were all over us at the start of the game. Defensively we were a mess and Raven summed up our total lack of cohesiveness at the back when he misjudged the bounce of the ball and let it go past him and letting a Morton player in. Raven hauled him down and was deservedly sent off. After that Morton continued to dominate while we resorted to thumping long balls to Baird who was now up front himself after Bell was removed for Seedorf. Second half was a bit better as we stemmed the Morton tide (or they eased off) but again we struggled to really create any chances of note to get us back into the game. Polworth was really poor. I've defended him a lot on here but he was so wasteful with the ball and his set pieces are simply abysmal. Ridgers made some good saves and Donaldson was again pretty decent but Seedorf was a big surprise when he came on. He spotted in really well at right back after Raven went off showing excellent timing when challenging for the ball and offering decent support down the flank when he got forward. I'd say he was probably our MotM. Special mention for the referee who was utter pish. Not as bad as McKendrick but cutting it close. He lost control of the game by the end and was dishing out cards with zero consistency.

That game summed us up perfectly. Mostly fine at the back (Donaldson was like a young Franco Baresi at the back as per usual these days) but precious little going forward with almost no link between midfield and forwards. Polworth, Bell and Baird seemed to be on completely different wavelengths to each other and seldom seemed to find each other with their passes leading to numerous attacks breaking down as we reached the edge of the Dumbarton box. Mulraney had a good spell in the first half where he fizzed in a couple of decent looking crosses but I forgot he was even on the pitch in the second half he was so quiet. Hopefully we can get someone in the January transfer window that can provide a creative spark and another who can score goals. A lot of guff still kicking about the squad just now who are just a waste of a wage.

Our away crowds aren't much to sing about and our home attendances are swindling fast. There's a lot more to be concerned with than however many County fans are going to their games. Just over 2,000 turned up yesterday (allegedly). Where have all of our fans gone?

Uncle Roy will bail them out in January by spending another small fortune.

Highlight was Coll Donaldson doing a Cruyff turn whilst being pressured towards his own corner flag and gliding away from his opponent. Other than that....