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CTO first draft

 Talking bout a revolution

A trip to Dunfermline beckons this Saturday as Dunc's revolution picks up pace. Unbeaten since his arrival, the Caley Jags take on 5th place Dunfermline Athletic in another tough encounter. A win for Inverness would see Dunc's men climb above the Pars but it's big ask. This will be your only Championship fix this weekend, so the opportunity is there for one of these sides to make up some ground on those above them.

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Match/Ticket/Info

Supporters Bus Full

Cowdenbeath Cup Tie

Battery Farm

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Our home and away encounters with the Pars show similar statistics with only five defeats at East End Park. Last season Dunfermline were heading back into the Championship after a season in League 1 where they bounced back up as Champions.

1 - 1 (H)

2 - 0 (H)

1 - 1 (A)

1 - 2 (H)

0 - 0 (A)

1 - 0 (A)

1 - 1 (H)

1 - 3 (A)

2 - 1 (A)

2 - 0 (H)

More points thrown away: Full report (Jan 2022) 1 - 1 Inverness wasted an opportunity to put pressure on the top of the table after squandering a first half lead through Shane Sutherland. Steven Lawless levelled from the spot in the second half with ten minutes remaining after David Carson was adjudged to have blocked a cross with a flailing arm. Another drab performance after a first half full of promise. No surprise really given recent performances, but frustrating nonetheless.

A very disappointing second half from Inverness after a first half that was full of promise. Maybe Danny Devine going off injured just before the interval decided our tactic for the second half, or maybe Dunfermline just realised they could get something from the game. That point lifts them off the foot of the table for now, our point puts us in second position when we really should have been knocking on Arbroaths door at the top. Whatever the reason, the fans are getting somewhat disgruntled as we are without a win in five games now. It does seem like a long time ago that we absolutely thrashed Morton 6-1 on 11th December. Only four points from our last five games, or four points from a possible fifteen. That's not the form of a team going for promotion. Sort it!

Last Time Out

Inverness romped home agsinst Ayr United after scoring three first half goals in a ten minute spell before the break. David Wotherspoon scored twice and Billy Mckay crashed in a penalty in a dominant first half. The second half was an anti-climax with Ayr scoring a penalty of their own through Jamie Murphy. The points were more important than the performance and it pulled Inverness clear of the bottom team Morton.

Last Five Games: W D W D W 

In the first meeting between the clubs this season it ended all square in the Highlands in September. Nathan Shaw's early goal cancelled out ten minutes before the end by a Chris Hamilton header. 

FULL TIME: 1-1  The two new loan payers aquitted themselves well without setting the pulses racing. The defence did appear to be more rigid although we were found wanting at the equaliser. Nathan Shaw was the most likely to cause problems and so it proved. Poor decision by Ridgers to decide to flap at thin air for the goal but made amends to earn our point with a tremendous save later. Pars were much more direct than us and you couldn't grudge them their point. However that point still leaves us floundering at the foot of the table with one point from a possible twelve.

Dunfermline's last game saw them go down narrowly to a late goal from Chris Mochrie as Dundee United continued unbeaten at the top of the table. United lead in the first half through Fotheringham before Owen Moffat levelled the game ten minutes after the interval. Mochrie hit the winner with just five minutes left on the clock.

Last Five Games: L L L W L 

Latest Team News

Half a dozen still missing with Boyes picking up an injury but Dunc is hopeful he will make the squad. So not much change from last week in terms of squad numbers and big Dunc still grappling with the players names 

Dunfermline manager James McPake had keeper Mehmet and striker Michael O'halloran taken off injured last Friday against United. Alex Jakubiak replaced Craig Wighton after the hour and he looked threatening. Joe Chalmers is still at East End Park.

And finally the tables are starting to turn
Talkin' 'bout a revolution
Yes, finally the tables are starting to turn
Talkin' 'bout a revolution, oh, no

First Draft of CTO report

Ayr Do for Dunc

Ayr United are next up for big Dunc as his salvage operation gathers pace after a great away point at Tannadice last week. We're not quite at the Big Dunc's revolution stage, more of an evolution but we are heading in the right direction after a poor start to the season. Ayr come up North on Saturday for a 3:00pm start sitting in fifth place on goal difference with 14 points looking to get back into the top four. We could strike a crucial blow to their aspirations should we come out on top as we are five points behind them with two games in hand. It's a six pointer this early in the season! Big talking point this week in the Highlands is the departure of Sporting Director John Robertson as he leaves to "pursue other opportunities". All the best to Robbo in his new venture and one can't help but imagine that might free up some wages for a player or two.

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Match Ticket Info & Lest we Forget

John Robertson Leaving ICTFC

Cowdenbeath Cup Date Confirmed

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Only eleven defeats overall versus Ayr United but they held the upper hand over the last two encounters both home and away. We have had some tremendous games against the Honest Men over the years with five, six and even seven goal games an occasional feature of these clashes in bygone days.

0 - 1 (A)

1 - 2 (H)

2 - 1 (A)

2 - 2 (H)

1 - 0 (A)

2 - 2 (A)

1 - 2 (H)

2 - 2 (A)

1 - 0 (H)

2 - 2 (H)

Ayr took the points in the first encounter this season at Somerset Park 0 - 1>>>

Pointless:  Notable absentees for Ayr were last seasons Championship top scorer Dipo Akinyemi who has gone to York City and long time servant Michael Moffat who spent eleven years over two spells at Somerset Park scoring 77 goals in 263 appearances. Dodds was without Roddy MacGregor and Lewis Nicolson with knee injuries. Sean Welsh has a groin injury and also missed out again as did Austin Samuels and Max Ram. Adam Brooks returned to the bench and Danny Devine replaced the missing Wallace Duffy. New sensation Keith Bray started with Inverness down to only six on the bench. Injuries starting early this season already it would seem with six missing..

Ayr got off to the perfect start after just eight minutes when Francis Amartey, Dempsey and Sam Ashford combined for Amartey to slot home the opening goal. Mark Ridgers saved on his line from Nick McAllister as Ayr looked to double their lead. Keith Bray was blocked going into the box and from the follow up Albinson saved from David Carson at the expense of a corner. Plenty of half chances for both sides to score in the first half with Devine going close for the visitors but Albinson tipped over. Longstaff also went close on the break but his shot bounced just wide. Billy Dodds fell foul of the referee on the interval and had to watch the remainder of the game from the stands. (See how he likes it!)

HALF TIME: 1-0

Longstaff saw his header saved ten minutes after the interval as Inverness looked to get back into the game. A spate of substitutions on the hour for Ayr and Harry Lodovica replaced Bray for the visitors before a Jake Davidson cross found Nathan Shaw, but his effort came back off the post. With twenty minutes remaining Shaw was blocked in the box as we chased for a leveller. Substitute Aiden McGeady shot wide approaching the final ten minutes and Cammy Harper failed to hit the target at the other end. Aaron Doran fired a free kick wide from a tight angle and McGeady missed again as time was running away from us. Ridgers tipped over from Pendelbury in the 90th minute and as so often, the game slipped away from us to leave us bottom of the table with Arbroath.

FULL TIME: 1-0

Another defeat leaves Inverness pointless at the foot of the table with Arbroath as Ayr got their first win of the campaign thanks to an early goal from Francis Amartey. Not for the want of trying, but Inverness could not find an equaliser and that will pile more misery on under fire boss Billy Dodds. Our injury situation seems never-ending and we could only muster six on the bench.

Dodds watched from the stand in the second half and will now know why we are concerned...

The natives are no happy on CTO with many asking for a total clearout from top to bottom, questioning the length of contract offered to Billy Dodds. The buck stops at the very top and that is a massive concern for all. Top scorer Billy Mckay was a forlorn figure and was not best pleased at being subbed. Something is wrong that's not right. Sort it now before we leave this league at the wrong end of the table.  Thankfully things have changed somewhat.

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Last Time Out

Big Dunc fashioned us into a squad prepared to dig deep at Tannadice and it paid off as we came away with a credible draw against the League Leaders. A wonderful team goal manufactured from inside our own box all the way down the left wing before Harper crossed for Shaw to drill home from fifteen yards. Total football, great goal!  The Arabs levelled five minutes later when Holt thundered in a bullet header to share the spoils. Some outstanding performers on the day with Ridgers making crucial saves, defenders putting their bodies on the line, midfielders helping out at the front and the back whilst remaining creative, and strikers.... erm still missing plenty, but also tracking back to help out.

Last Five Results: L W D W D 

Ayr United are without a win in their last three games and were pegged back by Queens Park last Saturday in a 2-2 draw. Two first half strikes from Anton Dowds had Ayr cruising, but Bannon scored after the break and five minutes into time added on Paton claimed a point for the Spiders in a dramatic finale with his sixth cincher goal of the season.

Last Five Results: W W L D D 

<<< There's your top scorers in the Championship ahead of Friday nights encounter between Dunfermline Athletic and Dundee United. Brian Graham has almost scored as many goals as the Caley Jags have in the Championship (8). That's something that Ferguson needs to address if we are to climb the table into a challenging position (at the top end).

Nathan Shaw is our top scorer this season with three Championship goals to his name. Despite netting his 102nd goal with a penalty in the 3-2 loss to Airdrie in the League Cup group stages, Billy has only netted once in the Championship since then at Arbroath some five games ago. He has three goals in total, two in the League Cup group stages. That's not a great return from your top striker.

Latest Team News

We are still without any of our half dozen longer term injured players. Sean Welsh missed out again last week along with Luis Longstaff. Wallace Duffy returned from the bench to replace an injured David Carson who is a doubt this week. Danny Devine and Morgan Boyes started at Tannadice after being out for a couple of games. According to our stats, Mark Ridgers should make his 250th appearance for his home town team. Another clean sheet would be most welcome.

Ayr did settled down after an inconsistent start and still have Logan Chalmers. We know what he is capable of. Anton Dowds netted twice last week and he is their top scorer with 5 strikes. Former Motherwell player Jamie Murphy and ex-ICT loanee Chalmers have four goals apiece.

Ayr team v Queens Pk: Dowds   

Apparently their bench was full of Ecremont. Well, that's what I thought he said 

Lest We Forget:  With this game being played on Remembrance Day, the club will be offering Free Entry to UK Forces personnel, past and present. One Adult & One Child per application. (home or away support)

FORCES GO FREE 

It's entitled:

One down, one to go...

Robertson Leaving

"His drive to establish the new 10 acre Hub for the ICT Community Trust working with Highland Council, Sport Scotland and the SFA and his input into accessing six figure grants for our Community Trust in particular has gone unseen by almost everyone out with the football club. We wish him well in his future endeavours and he will always be welcome at the Caledonian Stadium.”

At the end of the day he was drawing a wage and we were not seeing the benefits of this. More often than not seen at Dingwall on match days. I doubt many will shed a tear, but let's no forget the good moments he had at the club and it's only since the introduction of the Sporting Director role that he has incurred the wrath of a section of our support. I for one will always be grateful for his efforts as manager and work in the background, however, throwing money away had to come to an end sometime.

All the best Robbo.

I was out walking the dog and found a few noses lying on the ground. I presume there are a few people going around without any noses.

Duelling Banjos

First draft of CTO report

All conquering Arab's await

It's a massive test for Big Dunc's battlers as we head to Tannadice this Saturday for a game against runaway League leaders and promotion favourites Dundee United. I'm sure he will be remembered fondly by the Arab's faithful. Dunc made 88 appearances for United and a £4million pound transfer profit when he joined Rangers before a 'clash' of heads saw him spend some time at her Majesty's pleasure in 1994. 3:00pm is the scheduled kick-off time for this one and it will be a foolish man who will put money on an away win. We are, however, often better without the favourites tag although this one might be a bridge too far as Jim Goodwins unbeaten team are sweeping all aside mercilessly. They won the first fixture at the Caledonian Stadium 1-0 back in September, just after the end of Doddsball when we were managerless. We are more solid at the back now with Ujdur, Devine and Boyes to chose from but still a bit toothless up front although David Wotherspoon showed on his debut what a bit of class will do for you.

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Match/ticket/travel info

Forces go Free

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As expected, United have the edge in these fixtures, especially over the last 10 fixtures.

Last 10 Competitive Meetings:

0 - 1 (H)

1 - 2 (A)

0 - 3 (H)

1 - 4 (A)

0 - 3 (A)

0 - 1 (H)

0 - 2 (H)

2 - 1 (A)

0 - 1 (A)

1 - 1 (H)

The last time we won at Tannadice was in March 2019 in a Scottish Cup Quarter Final tie.

KARMA BIG STYLE: Full report 2 - 1.  Inverness opened the scoring when Joe Chalmers cut onto his left foot and curled the ball into the roof of the net from sixteen yards for a sublime goal. Chalmers almost added a second but he volleyed onto the bar from six yards when the ball found him unmarked. The first half ended at 1-0 with Ridgers a virtual spectator. Substitute Paul McMullan blatantly cheated to earn a penalty and Nicky Clark slotted his second in two games. In a dramatic finish, Nathan Austin had a marginal offside decision go against him as he superbly headed home a Polworth free kick, however, Aaron Doran nodded home after a fantastic knock on from Jordan White to win the tie in the second minute of time added on.  Aaron Doran was MotM, and not just for his goal, his all round game showed he was a menace to United from the start. To be honest you couldn't fault anyone in a total team performance. Jordan White has become a fans favourite after a stuttering start at Inverness and he showed yesterday how important he is to our game plan. Chalmers was incredible as well and Liam Polworth showed his value with some great through balls. Unsung heroes all over the park and none moreso that Charlie Trafford who was immense in the engine room. Hampden here we come!

In the first encounter this season:  0 - 1 Late Strike Ruins the Day:  Another very late goal ruined what had been a reasonably resolute performance by managerless Inverness. However, the end result remains the same and we went down to an avoidable sclaff in time added on when substitute Chris Mochrie poked the ball home after Ridgers had cleared a bouncing effort away from the top corner only for the United players to react quickest to prod the ball into the bottom corner with the aid of a deflection. Meh! It doesn't rain but it pours...

Last Time Out

Inverness recorded their first home win of the Championship Season after Big Dunc led the team to a narrow 1-0 victory over Airdrieonians. The winner came when David Wotherspoon showed quick feet and composure on his debut to stroke home eight minutes before the break. Not a vintage performance but we restricted Airdrie to very little as we kept the visitors out to record a clean sheet and three points in the bag, albeit withstanding a late push from the visitors as they tried to salvage a point.

Last Five: L  L  W  D  W  

Dundee United beat Airdrie at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium on Tuesday night having hammered Arbroath 6-0 last Friday night. Kai Fotheringham scored twice against the Diamonds to put the Arabs on 27 points at the top of the table.

Louis Moult scored a brace against Arbroath as United flexed their muscle. Docherty Fotheringham, Watt and Cudjoe were also on the mark. That's eight goals for Moult, the former Motherwell striker. Kevin Holt has 7 with Kai Fotheringham on 6. Cudjoe has 4 goals attributed to him and thats a pretty potent strike force, four scorers in the top ten Championship goalscorers. Moult was an unused sub against Airdrie.

Last five: W  D  W  W  W  

As it stands on Friday morning >>>

Latest Team News

Inverness will be without the usual long term casualties (MacGregor, Nicolson, Doran, Welsh, Duffy, Samuels). Wotherspoon debuted last week as did Cillian Sheridan who looks like he will need to get up to speed before we see any benefits from him. Luis Longstaff, one of our most promising player of late, was subbed off injured last week and is a doubt. Aye eye, Morgan Boyes might feature......... I'll take that as a yes. Dundee loan player Max Anderson will relish this task and I'm sure he will be a target for the 'Shed' boo boys. Ear plugs at the ready Max! 

Here's Dunc, learning quickly from the ICT managers handbook: Tell them nothing>>>

Jim Goodwin has a wealth of funds and a Premiership squad to play around with>>>

He will, however, be without Ross Docherty for this one though as the midfielder faces a couple of weeks out with a groin strain. 

Here's a date for your diary..... almost

We enter the Scottish Cup with a third round home draw against Cowdenbeath. The game will be played on the weekend of the 25th of November but the date and time have still to be confirmed.

Three fixtures this week ahead of our visit to Tannadice.

We could find ourselves bottom before we face Dundee United.

Will need to check official report to see who were playing as it's important for our stats.

The fabulous execution of his goal was a great introduction for David Wotherspoon but for me the Man of the Match and new version of Bobby Mann was Nikola Ujdur. The Aussie defender is solid, strolled through the game unflustered and can pick a pass. Good graft in midfield but Sheridan and Big Harry need some work done. Shaw picked up a booking at the end when Big Dunc sent him back onto the pitch to get treatment