tm4tj

Dons looking to cement second place The best of the rest battle it out at Pittodrie on Wednesday night as the race to finalise Euro places hots up before the top-six kicks in. Inverness travel to Aberdeen eight points behind the Dons as both sides stutter their way towards the top-six games clear of fourth placed Dundee United. A home win would surely cement Aberdeens position in second place and defeat for Inverness would put the cat amongst the pigeons for the third Euro slot. Neither side were able to steal a march at the weekend with Aberdeen being held by our bogey boys Partick Thistle and Dundee coming North to take a point off us in a dour affair. It was 0-0 at Pittodrie with Derek McInnes relieved that Partick had not taken all three points given the opportunities they had. Inverness had to settle for a point with Dundee and Graeme Shinnie earned that point showing great tenacity to drive home the ball. The draw was the right result however, after David Clarkson had opened the scoring barely two minutes earlier, but it was clear to see Dundee's game plan was to keep us out with less emphasis on using their own ability to create something. It worked and 1-1 was the result. The sides have met twice already this season and Aberdeen have won both games. The first game in September saw Inverness level twice before Jonny Hayes scored what proved to be the winner in an even contest. The other scorers were Rooney and Logan for the Dons with Meekings and Watkins countering for Inverness. The return fixture in the Highlands was another tight tussle and Peter Pawlett scored the only goal. Despite being under the cosh for the rest of the game, Aberdeen held on for all three points. Inverness should have taken something from this game and had the better opportunities, but they paid the price for their inability to stick the ball in the net. Inverness have struggled to create recently since the departure of Billy Mckay. Marley the stop gap striker although scoring initially, has not filled that void. It's not his fault, but he is not the natural finisher we would have liked. He is a better provider and it's possible that big Edward Ofere will get a start at Pittodrie as he looked more threatening when he came off the bench against the Dark Blues. Nick Ross and Aaron Doran also showed up well and could start again. That would be tough on the likes of Danny Williams who has been one of our more consistent performers in recent weeks. Aberdeen are the new buyers in the Premier division snapping up players to bolster their squad when almost every other club are just breeding grounds. Adding Kenny Maclean and Andrew Driver to their squad will not do them any harm, and with the likes of Hayes, Rooney and soon to be Shinnie at Pittodrie then they are assembling a useful squad which looks like maintaining their high profile over the next couple of years. The Scottish weather takes it's toll on the pitches at this time of the season and going from soft surfaces to hard and bobbly ones in the space of a few weeks is not conducive to fluent passing moves, something we were able to implement earlier in the season. It is however the same for everybody, but it's a great leveller and we are being caught up in the kick and rush style more suited to council parks and pub leagues. John Hughes has a full squad to tinker with. Richie 'forever injured` Foran being the exception. I think he was born injured to be honest. It's possible that they are replacing him bit by bit and like the six million dollar man, maybe we can rebuild. We have the technology. Aye, if only he could run at 60mph........... Derek McInnes has a long term ansentee as well in the shape of Russell Anderson. Coincidentally, both are the current captains of their respective clubs. But apart from that he too has no other doubts, not even a suspension to interfere with his team selection. An audio interview with Yogi can be listened to on the official Inverness Caledonian Thistle facebook page right here https://www.facebook.com/ICTFC?fref=ts tm4tj prediction is predictable this week and I can see both sides stuttering to a no scoring draw at best. The last few weeks have brought out the worst of the season and points have gone abegging. There is plenty at stake, I hope someone tells the players because some of them look as though their season has ended already. Here's hoping we can end this winless sequence, but it looks like it could be another long night.

A visit from the dark side 　 　 Inverness play host to Dundee on Saturday after a timely International break which was badly needed. We have been running on empty and the break has given us the opportunity to recharge the batteries and get some zest back into our play. Last time out we succumbed once more to Partick Thistle after a late goal from Steven Lawless earned Partick all three points, with Inverness barely troubling their opponents. That's the third defeat of the season to the Firhill side who seem to have sussed us out big time. The dark blues last game was an encouraging draw with second placed Aberdeen which leaves them on the verge of a top-six place. Steven McGinn levelled after Adam Rooney had given the Dons an early advantage. Dundee's last visit to the Caledonian Stadium was an early season game played out on a midweek. Neither side managed a goal in that game, but we were victorious in the City of Discovery at the start of December. Inverness came from behind to win 2-1 after Greg Stewart had given Dundee a first half lead. Goals from Billy Mckay and Ryan Christie took the points North, but there was little between the sides. Willie Collum is the man in the middle for this game and that in itself should provide plenty of talking points. There's little between the sides in terms of scoring goals, but the Inverness defence has been stronger than Dundee's and that is the difference between 3rd in the league and 7th. Unfortunately we have run out of ideas of late and other teams are pushing on. Our policy of little change in pre-season has paid dividends though with our early season form getting us off to a flier, it's getting more difficult to maintain that poise as the teams below us gather round for the kill. Who's in and who's out? Inverness should have no main worries. Dean Brill has been back in the squad and could be ready to start. Richie Foran remains absent. Dundee have Gary Irvine, glorious Gary Harkins and Luka Tankulic out, but Greg Stewart and Jim McAlister will be in the squad. tm4tj prediction:- We don't do anything easy and our form of late has taken a nose dive. No wins in four for us while Dundee have won two of their last four. I'm not brimming with confidence over our lack of adventure and with goals at a premium for us then we will do well to take anything from the game. Maybe a share of the spoils would be about right given our mediocrity at the moment.

Can Inverness eclipse Partick We had a solar eclipse this week, but can third place Inverness cast a shadow over Partick, a club we have struggled to get the better of in recent games, although we did eventually send them out of the cup, but not before a nervy last twenty minutes. Inverness had last weekend off as our intended victims staged another battle with Celtic. These battles are taking it's toll as players are being sent off as if red cards are going out of fashion. That's good news for both clubs rivals as their squads are being punished for lack of discipline on the field, well, unless you are Scott Brown or Nadir Ciftci. Whilst we were idle, Jekyll & Hyde club Partick Thistle ran out convincing victors over St Johnstone by 3-0. First half goals from Kris Doolan and Conrad Balatoni had Partick cruising and they completed the scoring in the second period with a long range shot from Stuart Brannigan that sealed the points. We need only remind ourselves of the earlier league clashes this season where Partick trounced Inverness twice, scoring seven goals in the process and conceding only one. Their in your face style and high pressing game accompanied by poor defensive decisions saw us fall apart all too easily, but the cup win showed we can do it if we apply ourselves properly, and that coupled with some injury and suspension worries for Partick should give us some optimism for todays game. Inverness have given debut's to both recent signings and both will add new dimensions to our forward play. Ofere's height an obvious advantage and as shown in his cameo against Raith, Tarmo Kink has quick feet and once he reaches full fitness will be an exciting player to watch. Both the newbies will feature in the squad and Garry Warren returns after his suspension, the one where Ciftci taunted him into retaliation and Gary walked. But he will be back which is tough on Danny Devine who has not done much wrong and scored the winning goal against Raith in the cup. Dean Brill has been out of action for over a month since wretching his knee at Kilmarnock and is nearing fitness, but with Esson a reliable replacement, there's no need to rush Deano back.. Richie Foran, well, surprise surprise is still out and one wonders if we will ever see him back. Alan Archibald has a major doubt over Lyle Taylor who picked up a knock in training. Kallum Higgenbotham is suspended and Dan Seabourne, Sean Welsh and Christie Elliot are all reported to be out. tm4tj Prediction:- The Jekyll & Hyde nature of Partick's season has seen them become the unpredictables. They have had some wonderful result, we should know better than most, but have also suffered some abject and unexplained performances and that's why they sit just above the relegation group in ninth place, but slightly adrift of the safety zone. On paper we look good for three points, but the game is not played on paper and we need to concentrate for the full ninety minutes if we want to keep our Euro hopes going strong into the last quarter of the season. It's usually around now that the word Euro brings on a decline in our play, almost as if someone has applied the brakes. With United faltering, we can only throw this advantage away all by ourselves. I am, however in optimistic mode considering Partick's woes and will be looking for a narrow win. A point won't be too shabby, but all three would be nice.

They'll be dancing in the streets of ........... 　 　 Another of those lifelong quotes could be trotted out this weekend as Inverness face the banana skin that is Raith Rovers in the Quarter Final of the Scottish Cup. But which streets will they be dancing in after this cup tie. It's not that long ago that headlines like SupercaleygoballisticCelticareatrocious were all the rage, February 8th 2000 in fact, a date etched on all Caley Thistle fans minds. However, back in the day, Raith Rovers carved their own little niche in Scottish Football. The infamous dancing in the streets quote is often known as a Colemanballs, but was actually quoted by the then editor of Match of the Day, Samuel James Leitch who implied that Raith was a town in Scotland where Rovers plied their trade after they had won another match. Another gaff from the BBC, no surprise there. Or did Scottish born Samuel have a twinkle in his eye when he said those immortal words. Raith play at Starks Park Kirkaldy and can boast a larger capacity stadium than Inverness, 8473 all seated. They have played in the Uefa Cup, courtesy of winning the Scottish League Cup when they beat Celtic on penalties in 1994. Their Uefa journey ended the following season when Bayern Munich won 4-1 on aggregate, but they achieved a creditable defeat in Germany, going down 2-1 having taken the lead against the German giants. Danny Lennon had scored the Raith goal in that game at the Olympiastadion in Munich in front of 27,000 fans, but goals from Jurgen Klinsmann and Marcus Babbel saved the German clubs blushes. Great effort though by the Kirkaldy club. In the previous round, none other than our very own Barry Wilson had scored one of the goals that saw them beat Akranes 3-1. Danny Lennon got a brace in that game as well. In 1951 Raith reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup only to lose 3-2 to Celtic. That game was played at Hampden in front of 84,640 fans. Aye, nostalgia, it's not what it used to be. Back to the future almost and the last time Rovers were here it took an injury time overhead kick by Richie Foran to give Inverness the win by 4-3 in a bit of an epic encounter. Raith had taken an early lead through Iain Williamson, but goals from Richie Foran, Adam Rooney and Eric Odhiambo put Inverness in easy street. However, a blast from the past, as Gregory Tade did his prospects no harm and scored Raith's second before Jamie Mole equalised. It took until the 94th minute before Foran's dramatic winner brought about scenes of joy. We would go on and win the title that season and Raith finished 7th. In the previous round Inverness knocked out our bogey side Partick Thistle at Firhill. Marley Watkins and Greg Tansey had Inverness all but into the next round, but Partick rallied and a Lyle Taylor strike made it a nervy last quarter for Inverness, but we held on to progress to the draw for the quarter finals. Raith got to darts world champion Gary Anderson's draw by beating the Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox. Ryan Conroy had curled in a beauty of a free kick but Haris Vuckic levelled. However, Raith have gone from Tade to Nade and Christian scored a scrambled effort to put Raith into the hat. Gary Anderson did the rest and the first names out of the hat were Inverness and Raith Rovers. So that's us right up to date now, and Saturday will see the clubs slug it out for a semi-final slot. Inverness have signed Tarmo Kink to add to Edward Ofere's signature. Ofere scored on his debut last week in the loss at Motherwell and Kink was added to the squad this week. He has previously played for amongst others, Spartak Moscow and Middlesborough. The Estonian forward has signed until the end of the season. Latest team news Inverness have some squad problems after last weeks battle at Tannadice. Garry Warren is suspended and Dean Brill has not played for a month now. Foran is forever injured but Aaron Doran and James Vincent are ready for action. Marley Watkins is free to play in the cup game and Edward Ofere and Tarmo Kink could find themselves on the park. Raith Rovers striker Calum Elliot is out after surgery, but Christian Nade is back after suspension. Loan Ranger Barrie McKay is back in contention for a start. Former Inverness super sub Liam Fox will be in the Rovers squad. Another familiar face will be that of ex-County midfielder Martin Scott who will be looking to get one over his olde rivals. tm4tj prediction For what it's worth is that Inverness will get into the semi's, but as the Rangers found out, this Raith side are no pushovers and we can expect another stern test as Raith look to get to the semi-finals. Christian Nade is built from the same mold as Josh Magennis and he shoved us around like rag dolls. Never mind, Willie Collum is here to save us, or should that be God save us all. Inverness through after a last minute overhead kick from David Raven Edward and Tarmo chatted after signing on the dotted line........ With the original game being called off due to inclement weather, this tie will now be played this Tuesday night. That means that we now know our fate should we get past Raith Rovers. The draw could have been kinder, but the winners have been paired with either Celtic or Dundee United who scrapped out a 1-1 draw in a game that saw Celtic finish the game with ten men, whilst United ended up with nine. The other semi is more clear cut and it is an all Championship tie with Hibernian playing Falkirk.

Bottoms Up A not unexpected reverse at Motherwell, a side buoyed by the return of prodigal son Scott McDonald and Stephen Pearson, saw Well win their first game in nine. Inverness were down to the bare bones and fielded new signing Edward Ofere, but it was Motherwell that took the game to Inverness who turned in a shocker of a first half. Louis Laing headed the opener only for Ofere to score on his debut after 76 mins. With Inverness looking the most likely to go on and win the game, substitute Lionel Ainsworth scored with the aid of a deflection off Ross Draper after a corner and secured the points for struggling Motherwell. We hit the woodwork three times during the game but luck went with the Steelmen. Inverness have disappointed in the last few games where it was feasible that we could have all but seen off Dundee United, whilst Motherwell will be happy to get their relegation battle off and running.