tm4tj

Barca style to continue Inverness get the chance to exact some revenge over Aberdeen after their League Cup final defeat at Parkhead some five weeks ago, and Yogi will persevere with his Barcelona dream in his quest for total football and world domination. It's the first of five final games to be played in the top-six as the I's are dotted and the T's crossed to end the season and with it the formalities of who plays in Europe next season. Aberdeen are in pole position for the first European spot although Motherwell lurk only three points behind them. Dundee United have a couple of options as have St Johnstone as they battle it out in the Scottish Cup final, with United also trying to close the gap on Motherwell for third place. That leaves Inverness with only one option. Keep winning our last five games and see if we can usurp any of the teams above us. A long shot, being eight points behind Well, but if you don't have hope, then you have nothing left to play for. In all honesty, there is not a lot to choose between any of the top six clubs, with seventh placed Hibernian the nearest a massive 14 points behind the Perth club. Celtic, of course are in a league of their own having retained the title. Surprise surprise. Inverness won the final Highland derby of the season beating Ross County 2-1 in Dingwall, Yogi's second win there this season. Aaron Doran firing home a superb opening goal and Billy McKay scoring a typical McKay strikers goal after Kiss had breathed some life into the Dingwall outfit. Despite a dismal refereeing performance by Calum Murray, Inverness were worthy winners and that set us up nicely for the final five games. Aberdeen ended a run of three League draws when they easily disposed of Butcher's hapless Hibees with a 2-0 win at Easter Road, showing the gulf between the two mini divisions within the Premiership. They did however miss out on a second cup final when St Johnstone knocked them out of the Scottish Cup after coming from behind last weekend to put the Dons fans back in their boxes for now. It would appear that the sheep are not on fire any more. What can we expect from Yogi's team in this one? Will he be looking ahead to next season, or will he see an opportunity to narrow the gap on those above us? After all, United are only two points above us and they play out a full dress rehearsal for their Cup final against St Johnstone at Perth. Let's face it, all of these last five games are going to be tough and with fifteen points up for grabs by all the teams then the show is not over yet. With that in mind, I expect our strongest line up to start against the Dons and that will see Ryan Christie start on the bench, but this is a lad going places and next season will be massive for him. Inverness captain Richie Foran is out after minor surgery on his damaged knee and Graeme Shinnie is suspended. Aaron Doran started against County and has had another week to regain full fitness and will be OK for this one. Ross Draper returns after suspension and the big midfielder should go straight back into the starting X1. Carl Tremarco will fill Shinnie's boots but he needs to calm down a bit as he is fast becoming a liability with some rash challenges. That should see Christie, Polworth, Williams, Ross and Devine all making for a strong bench with Watkins and Vincent getting the nod, although Vincent will be looking over his shoulder at some of these fearless youngsters. Aberdeen will definitely be without Jonny Hayes, injured in that League Cup final encounter. Ryan Jack is out through suspension. Peter Pawlett is a doubt and many Dons fans feel the ageing legs of Barry Robson and Willo Flood need a rest after their recent hectic schedule. Here's what the managers have to say............ tm4tj prediction:- There is little to choose between the two sides and as Stewart Milne said after the final, it took 120 minutes and fu**ing penalties to find a winner. There won't be extra time on Friday night, but I'm not ruling out penalties, especially with Tremarco around. This has all the makings of another tough encounter as two of the meanest defences try to keep the score down. Adam Rooney, Niall McGinn, Aaron Doran and Billy McKay will be doing their utmost to break the deadlock and with both sides still looking to secure European football then there is enough at stake to make this an interesting game. I'm not sure we will see a repeat of the 4-3 fixture earlier this season, but maybe another terse game with a solitary goal being enough to win the points. Failing that, a draw seems like the next best option and maybe that's where my money will be. Scoring draw.

Just Like Barca The last Highland derby of the season is played tonight as local rivals and bottom six club Ross County host top six Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the Global Energy Stadium with a quarter to eight kick off. It's how Yogi sees the way forward (or backwards) for his charges, unfortunately the only thing we have in common with Barcelona is that they are also a wee Messi side. Maybe a return to the stripes is on the cards. It's one game apiece this season with the away sides having the upper hand so far. County triumphed at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in the first encounter that was played to a finish. Scott Boyd and Alex Cooper scored two quickfire goals in the first half and Inverness left it too late when Aaron Doran scored in the last minute to give County the bragging rights when they first footed the Highland Capital on the first of January. The first game that kicked off never went to completion as the lights went out in Dingwall. That was also a Friday evening. With the score at 0-0, the darkness descended on the, ahem, Global Energy Stadium during the interval and the game was called off after three attempts to shed some light on the subjects failed to rectify the problem. The last derby saw Inverness crush County 3-0 in Dingwall when many thought the County winter sales would be a key factor in the outcome of this game. Inverness were fired up for this one and took the game to County from the start. John Hughes achieved something that Terry Butcher never did at Dingwall whilst in charge of Inverness in a league game. His side were in control and Billy McKay scored, sandwiched between a couple of firsts as David Raven scored the opener, and substitute Marley Watkins put the icing on the cake by clipping home the third. However, that was then, and this is now. Although Inverness comfortably reached the safe haven of the top six, results have been somewhat patchy and many fans are questioning the managers mindset. We appear to have gone backwards, literally, as we strive to keep the ball at all costs and look to be playing without any recognised wingers, instead choosing to clutter up the middle of the park and leave McKay isolated up front. This has not made for pleasant viewing and results of late have seen us crawl towards the end of the season. Only one win in our last nine matches has the fingers wagging and Yogi needs to pull out a result tonight if the doubters are to be staved off in the meantime. These nine games have seen us score only five goals, just over half a goal a game. John Hughes insists that he will persevere with the passing game, akin to Barcelona. Well John, I've got news for you. It's not working too well at the moment and this passing game seems to be passing by the supporters at the moment who are not best pleased that we have slipped from second to fifth during his tenure. The good honest laddies are being trained by Yogi's bibles, I hope he has got it right for his sake. County, for their lowly league position, have scored only one goal less than us. It's the defence that has let them down. They have conceded twenty goals more than us, although our own once watertight back line has been leaking like a sieve recently. County's form over the same period has been similar to ours, but the one thing in their favour tonight will be desire. Who wants it most. They are still trying to steer clear of the dreaded play off place that could see the second bottom club relegated along with Hearts, and that could give them the impetus to make it difficult for Inverness tonight. Inverness Caledonian Thistle captain Richie Foran has undergone a minor knee operation. He would have been unavailable through suspension anyway, but has had his knee cleaned out. Aaron Doran has been missed recently and may be out again, but a late fitness test could see him included. Josh Meekings returns after his red card against St Mirren, which will see Danny Devine make way once more, and he is also nursing an injury. Ross Draper will not play which is a pity as he has been brilliant recently with Foran absent. Derek Adams has Marc Klok returning to training, but Stuart Kettlewell will have a scan on a hip/groin problem and remains out along with striker Darren Maatsen and ex-Inverness keeper Michael Fraser. tm4tj Prediction:- A close encounter with maybe a solitary goal separating the sides either way, and with our dismal run of late, that might favour the Staggies tonight as they have more to play for with our season virtually over.

Punishing Schedule Continues. Blimey! No sooner have we blown the final whistle against St Mirren than we will we kicking off against Motherwell in another SPFL top-six encounter. Good news is that season ticket holders can bring along a friend for nothing and under 12's also get in free. Inverness drew with St Mirren at the weekend in a dour encounter spoiled by a poor pitch and bitterly cold and windy conditions. Billy McKay blew a great chance to score but the pitch played as big a part in that as anything McKay did. On the bright side, Ryan Christie and Liam Polworth started and both youngsters were keen to get involved. With Foran and Doran out again then they can look forward to another start surely as Hughes will be looking to next season after the setbacks of the last few weeks. Motherwell took a surprising punch on the chin on Saturday as Killie struck very late to snatch all three points with a 2-1 win. Former Ross County and Inverness player Iain Vigurs scored for Well but Rory McKenzie levelled before Craig Slater struck after the fifth minute of time added on to stun the Fir Park crowd. Well won the recent midweek game in Lanarkshire with an ultimately comfortable 2-0 score, but it was far from one sided and Inverness on another day could have taken something from this game, but our lack of punch in front of goal saw us draw a blank, something all too common recently. An Inverness win would see them get to within five points of third placed Motherwell and close the gap on United to two points while Motherwell would jump above Aberdeen if they should triumph, so plenty to play for really. Josh Meekings' red card at the weekend will not be appealed and he misses this game after the club decided not to challenge his last man sending off against St Mirren. Captain Richie Foran and Aaron Doran miss out again through injury. Danny Devine will deputise for the missing Josh, a similar role he occupied when Warren missed the League Cup final, and a role he played very well in. Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has hinted at two unnamed possible casualties. Forward James McFadden and midfielder Stuart Carswell remain on the sidelines along with goalkeeper Lee Hollis, defender Simon Ramsden and midfielder Paul Lawson. tm4tj Prediction:- If the last few games are anything to go by, we will find it difficult to get amongst the goals, something Motherwell don't normally have a problem with. The likes of Lionel Ainsworth is a difficult opponent to shackle and John Sutton will be a handful for our makeshift defence although Devine slotted in well in the cup final so he should be able to accompany Gary Warren for this one. I'm sitting on the fence again, 1-1, and it might be chilly once more with a hard playing surface to contend with.