AJS

Friday Footie After the mystique and subterfuge of #cornergate last weekend, we can settle down for the relative calm of a Highland Derby at The Global Energy Stadium. That's Victoria park, Dingwall for those that are struggling to keep up. The first local derby of the season is here and neither side can claim to be in the best of form. County have two wins in their last four games and Inverness fare slightly worse, with one out of four. After our blistering start to the campaign, we seem to have stalled somewhat and let's hope that last weekends absurd officiating will be the end of our poor run. We were soundly beaten at Perth, and lost out fair and square at Pittodrie in a tight encounter, but the outcome of the Partick game was out of our own hands and has left a nasty taste in the mouth. Nine points and seven places separate the two sides in the SPFL table. Inverness have won twice as many games as County with six wins. This is evident in the respective goals for and against totals with County shipping the most goals in the league to date, whilst Inverness are second top scorers with sixteen goals from their opening ten fixtures. However, Inverness have lost the services of box-to-box midfielder James Vincent through injury and that has coincided with our recent mini slump. County have also lost a formidable player in the shape of former ICT stalwart Grant Munro who has decided it's time to look to the future and leave the pressures of top flight football behind. Good luck to Grantie, a great performer for both clubs over the years and he leaves both sets of fans with some great memories. And to whet your appetite for this game, someone has created the worst ever advert for a football match anywhere in the world, but don't let that put you off. Stagnation! AJS has been busy penning this preview for the first derby of the season, read on.................... Derby Day, Round One It was a little over a year ago on a wet, cold, Friday night (much like tomorrow is predicted to be) that ICT and Ross County battled out the first ever Highland Derby in the top flight of Scottish Football. That match saw the home side come out on top in a 3-1 win. It was a match that was action packed. Cracking goals, dodgy decisions and the Derby sub plot of Iain Vigurs forgetting which fans to celebrate in front of. It was also inches away from producing the most appropriate and well executed own goals ever seen in football. It ultimately set the tone of what was to follow as last season served up five more derbies throughout that served up so many memories that will live long amongst the ICT support. The topsy turvy 3-3 draw at The Global Energy Arena in the Scottish cup was arguably the most hotly contested game both sides have ever produced. Richie Foran snatched a replay (with the help of Phil Roberts' bawsaq) after Richard Brittain thought he had grabbed the winner with a lofty free kick. Just 2 moments from a game that produced so much and probably saw half my life away through sheer anxiousness. As said the Caley Jags made the most of their remaining seconds in the game and took the Staggies back to TCS where Billy McKay ran the show, netting a double in a 2-1 win. A 0-0 draw followed in the league at Victoria Park before another 2-1 win for ICT at home. One remaining derby game followed and it was also decided by the powers to be as the game to end the season. ICT needed a win in order to clinch the remaining Europa League spot while Derek Adams and his men were out to get one over on their rivals at the 6th time of asking. In what was a cagey affair County finally got their way. Grinding out a 1-0 win with a stunning strike from Andre Hainault (who was a right back strangely enough.) Both teams huffed and puffed but ultimately the first goal proved to be the winner. County had finished 5th with ICT 1 place above in 4th. Despite missing out on Europe I think its safe to say that many saw last season as a major sign of progress. The post match party in the away end certainly emphasised that thought as many chanted, danced, jumped, bounced and staggered their way around the stand before being invited to leave by the authorities around an hour later. Ross County had a debut season in the Premier League to be immensely proud of too having made the Top six and finished in a well respected 5th spot. They also had an impressive unbeaten record against Celtic at home which included a 3-2 win against the Champions, overturning a 2-0 deficit. A result we are no strangers to ourselves. However on the back of such a fine season it was inevitable that interest in the clubs better players would grow and the temptation to head down south would prove too good to refuse. As the season ended the club was quickly cherry picked with key players such as Iain Vigurs, Paul Lawson both departed for Motherwell while Andre Hainault and Evangelos Ikonomou also left the club for pastures new. Richard Brittain had also agreed to leave the club and join St Johnstone earlier in the season but changed his decision in a transfer dispute that was the first of its kind with both clubs claiming ownership. The reasons behind his decision to stay were well documented and in the end the right action was probably taken with him remaining at County. It raised questions however about both the Bosman rule and necessary steps to take in regards to press releases regarding player situations. There is no question that keeping quiet for so long did not help Brittain's case, if anything it put him under more scrutiny. Whatever your opinion of the story its probably something people can learn from. With several departures Ross County went through a major rebuild over the summer. New faces included former Kilmarnock loanee Ben Gordon who arrived from Chelsea, much travelled centre half Brian McLean from Dundee United, who was actually given his SPL debut by Terry Butcher in 2005 with Motherwell, and ex St Mirren midfielder Graham Carey who is well known for his long range strikes. A small Dutch contingent has also developed in Dingwall as four Dutch players were trialled and subsequently signed over the summer. Melvin de Leeuw has probably established himself the most out of the quartet. De Leeuw himself has chipped in with a few goals while Maatsen exploded onto the scene with a screamer at Parkhead on the opening day. Both players will need close attention in tomorrow nights encounter. Both teams have stumbled slightly in terms of form. Ross County probably more so. They were well respected for their strong defensive unit last season, but particularly at home they have struggled to keep it closed at the back. I'm sure most of us saw the drubbing they were handed by United in front of the Sky cameras. However they have also notched up some important wins at home against the likes of Aberdeen and St Mirren that has seen them push up the table from the relegation zone, Derek Adams will be looking for a response from the loss at Kilmarnock though. Terry and the boys will be looking at this game as the ideal way to bounce back from defeat to Partick at the weekend. In a game overshadowed by controversy Partick became the first team to take points away from TCS this season. It was not a game that ICT played poorly in. Chances were created and goals were even scored but the result was not to be. It only adds to the thrill of the chase tomorrow night however. As well as local pride both teams will be eager to get back to their best and produce the type of form that has seen them receive such high acclaim previously. There is no questioning the quality that either team possesses, my only hope is that they are given the opportunities and freedom to show that and produce what I'm sure many hope will be another classic Derby. Also just to quickly mention, to any neutrals or BT subscribers on here. If you have seen BT's horrific advertising of the game please don't be put off. Talking stags don't actually exist in Ross-Shire (I think) and it really is a football game that you will be watching tomorrow night. AJS Prediction :- Both teams need the points for different reasons but need them nonetheless. The last two trips to Dingwall have been rather cagey affairs but I think in light of recent form and what's at stake both teams will make a go of it. Its been a long time since we last won in Dingwall too but Derbies are usually renowned for throwing stats out the window. I don't want to jinx it by calling a win however so I will go with a well earned 2-2 draw.

Clash of the Thistles Club football is back on the agenda as Caley Thistle welcome Partick Thistle to TCS this weekend in what will be the first ever meeting between the two sides in the top flight. Both teams recorded disappointing results going into the International break and will be looking to bounce back in front of the TV cameras this Sunday lunchtime. Many of us here will be looking for a major reaction to the hiding dished out at McDiarmid Park. While our record there doesn't make good reading anyway it was a damning display and will be a big test of the boys mental strength that will hopefully be helped by the backing of a home crowd. Partick meanwhile will be looking to add some goals to their game. Despite sitting in a healthy 8th place in the table they haven't won since the end of August and have only managed three goals in their last five games. While their recent form hasn't been so impressive there is no question that the 1st Division Champs have shown that they are a capable side since their return to Premier League football. Most this far North will remember their 3-1 victory away to County earlier in the campaign, a scoreline that could have been so much more were it not for a valiant display from Mark Brown. Some other hard fought points against teams from above and a win at St Mirren Park have seen them build a decent foundation for the rest of the season and with another ambitious young manger plying his trade in Alan Archibald the future looks promising for the SPFL's newest side. In terms of players to watch for in the opposition ranks, Archibald has put his resources to good use and has some good shuffling options. Kallum Higginbotham and Stephen Lawless will provide a threat down the flanks while Kris Doolan has chipped in with some important goals since the season kicked off. The likes of Ross Forbes and Sean Welsh are also players with great potential who have struggled so far to make an impression in the top flight with their previous clubs, and come into this season with a major point to prove. Like ourselves they also have the luxury of having two quality keepers vying for the number 1 jersey. Scott Fox brings a great shot stopping reputation from the lower leagues while Paul Gallacher is no stranger to the top flight and has put in some impressive performances when called upon so far. Options are something that Terry Butcher will need to call upon this week with the news that James Vincent will be out of action until the new year with a fractured tibia. Its a bitter blow for the man from Glossop who hadn't just put in some impressive displays but had also endeared himself to the supporters with his high work rate and his box to box approach to the game. No question that he will be missed at both ends of the pitch. His absence gives Big Terry a selection dilemma however with Ben Greenhalgh, Danny Williams, Marley Watkins and young Liam Polworth all in contention for that remaining place in the side. Greenhalgh himself was impressive in the 3-0 win at home to Hibs. His pace and trickery was clear to see and he also had a hand in Richie Foran's goal in the same game. Liam Polworth was given a chance to impress in the away game to St Johnstone with his first full start, but in many ways was thrown at the deep end given the way things went. He is rated highly by Terry though and it would be no surprise to see him back in the starting eleven. Personally I would go with Greenhalgh. He left a real impression in the Hibs game and with it being at home we should be looking to win this with the free flowing football we have shown at home so far this season. Greenhalgh matches that style. Historically this is a closely fought encounter between both sides. It has been three years since they last met, during the season that Caley Thistle proved that bouncebackability was achievable. Partick were actually the last team to beat ICT before they went on the unbeaten streak of 21 games. A run that led to 1st Division glory. The defeat saw Partick come out on top with a 2-1 score. The game itself was barely visible due to frozen fog but it wasn't enough to distract Steve Lovell (a constant thorn in ICT's side) from scoring a late winner. Not many would have predicted what followed that night but I doubt anyone would have traded it for anything else. Partick did fall foul during our unbeaten streak with Caley Thistle recording 2-1 and 1-0 wins at home and away. Both games in which a keeper called Jonny Tuffey put in some impressive displays for Partick before earning himself a move to the top flight with some Highland team. I'm predicting that this weekend won't be too different from recent encounters. Partick will probably look to soak up the pressure but there is no question they have players that can hurt us if they get the chance and with live coverage being provided for the game, players from both sides will no doubt have that added incentive to impress. Both teams also come into this fixture with points to prove. Partick, that they can score and ICT showing that the hiding received in Perth has not traumatised the boys. In all honesty though I'm just happy to be heading back to TCS for a game. National breaks are always a bit of a bore unless your heading to Hampden and you often find yourself anxious for club football to return asap. Well here it be so grab an early lunch (with pint), look pretty for the cameras and head to TCS this Sunday. AJS's prediction - As said I think it will be closely fought but with the home advantage I'm hoping to see us come away with the points. For me I see a good early start followed by a game of dogged defending. I'm going to go for a 2-0 home win, but the Harry Wraggs usually make life difficult for us and they have already shown that they can play a bit, à la County game.