DoofersDad

HT. 0-1 FT. 1-2 ICT. MacGregor Opp. Chalmers

We've played worse than that and won. I thought we had some decent build up play and put them under a lot of pressure, but too often we hadn't got the close control or inventiveness to create clear cut chances. Then when we did shoot, the shooting was woeful. Maybe lacking a bit of confidence and match sharpness, but we don't have anybody who looks as though they could score goals on a regular basis and that's a worry.

HT 1-0 FT 2-1 ICT. Sutherland Opp. Awokoya-Mebude

That's a great gesture from the Hearts Supporters and a terrific response from the club. I hope this gets a lot of publicity and is widely supported by fans of both clubs.

There's flooding in the Dundee area at the moment due to persistent heavy rain. Don't think the postponement indicates specific drainage issues. Bad luck for us though.

Aye, and there'll be some of them opting for short sleeved shirts as well.

HT. 0-0 FT. 1-2 ICT. Allardice Opp Craigen Yellow. Welsh

It's amazing just how often teams don't press home the numerical advantage. There's 2 aspects here. Firstly, the side reduced to 10 men know they have to up their effort and give 100% if they are going to get anything out of the game. Secondly, the team with the man advantage tend to ease up a little. It may be subconsciously, but it's there. What is needed is a conscious effort not to ease off and perhaps to make even more effort. It is important to constantly close down the opponents and not let them find space. Doing that allows the extra man to tell. This is exactly the reason so many big teams get the scares of their lives in cup competitions. The little teams give everything they've got but the big teams think they just need to turn up. It sounds as Robbo gave the appropriate message at half time but that it was not taken on board. Hopefully the players will now have a better understanding of what is expected of them in these situations. The thing is though, that the team have shown type of determination needed before and been praised for it. Hopefully we'll see better in the weeks to come. We'll need to, or we'll find ourselves in the wrong play-offs.

HT. 0-0 FT. 1-1 ICT. Storey Morton. Nesbit 1st Yellow. Welsh

HT. 1-0 FT. 2-1 ICT. Sutherland Opp. Buchanan

Well done Jim Gannon! At least he was refusing to talk to them because the broadcaster had not honoured their contract, rather than because they had broadcast uncomfortable truths. It would be nice to think the broadcasters would refuse to cover the games of clubs who refuse to honour their contractual obligations, but obviously they are not going to let principles get in the way of their profit. As Kingsmills says, it really is up to the Scottish football authorities to act to ensure all clubs meet their contractual obligations. Their view appears to be that as the big two bring in by far the greatest revenue to Scottish football, it is in the interests of all clubs not to antagonise them by taking any action against them. John Swinney, who tends to choose his words carefully, described Lennon's outburst as "absolutely appalling". It must be clear to all that Celtic and their manager are bringing Scottish Football into disrepute here. But yet again, the football authorities fail to do the right thing and just sit back and do nothing. Nobody does more to undermine the good name of Scottish football than the very organisations which exist to promote and uphold it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55708298 You can read a report on Lennon's rant here. He's totally out of order. Not only does he seem to not understand the seriousness of the situation, but he also seems to be directly contradicting his Chairman. Football has been given a chance to continue and this has required all clubs to strictly adhere to the protocols. Many clubs have gone to great lengths to keep their staff and the wider public safe, but it is folk like Lennon who's failure to properly understand what's involved is going to lead to a further shut down of football in Scotland.

Jason Leitch has been asked about this and the explanation he gives is that assessments of risk consider the total exposure and not whether one aspect of one sport is greater than that in another. It is then about avoiding additional aspects of risk which are not essential to the game as these would add to the total exposure to risk. We also need to understand the significance of the new variant being around 50% more infectious. The maths of this are really quite scary. If the previously dominant variant had an R number of 1, that means that on average, each person catching Covid would infect 1 other person. So if 2,000 people in Scotland tested positive today, you would expect around 2,000 to test positive in 5 days times after the incubation period. After another 5 days another 2,000 would be infected and so on. But with the new variant being 50% more infectious the R number rises to 1.5 and and instead of another 2,000 cases 5 days later, we would have 3,000. Then after another 5 days we would have those 3,000 people infecting another 4,500. If we didn't adopt rigorous measure to reduce infections, then after a month we would have nearly 23,000 cases a day! That is why restrictions have been significantly tightened recently. I'm actually quite surprised that the Scottish government is allowing the continuation of football at all just now. What it does mean is that beyond the unavoidable contact during a game, everything possible to avoid unnecessary additional exposure needs to be done.

With today being the day of Ian Broadfoot's funeral, it is perhaps a day for a bit of reflection. Thinking of Ian today, I picked up my copy of 'Milestones and Memories" and looked back on some of the great days and wonderful people associated with the club. I also had Robbo in mind and I don't think I had really registered before that it is now over 18 years since he first came to the club as Manager. To be here now as Manager so long after first coming here is a testament to what he means to the club and how much of a fit he is for the club. Robbo may not have been here when the club enjoyed its greatest success, but he was integral to building the foundations of that success. Robbo's first spell with us may have been short, but it was full of success and great memories. In 2003 we beat a strong Celtic side in the Scottish Cup and made it to Hampden for the first time. Then in 2004 it was a 2nd consecutive Hampden Semi-final to go with the 1st Division title and the Challenge cup. We started life in the Premier League under Robbo's leadership, but with those achievements under his belt it was no surprise that he was tempted away. Now Robbo is back, albeit in rather different and difficult circumstances, and he has overseen a solid rebuilding of the team. But then Coronavirus struck. These are difficult times for all of us; much more difficult for some than others and Robbo has shown his courage and character in speaking as he has. Memories of the good times help to sustain us through the bad times and with the directors, staff, players and supporters coming together to support each other through this difficult period, the good times will return. You've done wonders at this club, Robbo. Always know you have both our support and gratitude.

I seem to remember the offer being more specifically related to Elgin and perhaps other teams in their League Cup group because the teams from lower divisions were required to have players tested if they were playing a premier division side. I can't see us using County's machine unless we pay a proper commercial rent. Regular testing is an expensive business.

The First Minister said today that any actions against Celtic were a matter for the football authorities. It is appropriate that the football authorities should take action here, but why is it solely down to them? In general, people are exempt from staying at home if they are unable to work from home and the exemptions specifically stipulate that training for professional sport is included in that. But the new law also states that travel should be as close to home as possible. Surely nobody believes that the trip to Dubai was essential and therefore they should be facing prosecution.

Watched the 2nd half and extra time. Bonnyrigg played very well and might even have snatched an equaliser with the last kick of the game. There are decent players at the lower levels and they are increasingly well organised. And, of course, the players will always give their all when there is a chance of being part of a cup upset. I am sure it will be drilled into the players that they will need to be on their game.

HT. 0-1 FT 0-4 ICT. Sutherland Opp MacAskill Corners 11 Fouls 26

I'm really shocked and saddened at this tragic news. On behalf of colleagues on the Supporters Trust Board, I can say it was both a pleasure and a privilege to work with Ian in helping to get his wonderful book to print. Ian had put so much time and effort into the book and I know he was hugely grateful to everyone who kindly contributed to the fundraising campaign. He was also very touched by the numerous messages he had received from folk congratulating him on the finished product. "Milestones and Memories" is a worthy memorial to a man who has made such an important contribution to the Club throughout its history. Our heartfelt condolences go to Ian's family.

HT. 1-0 FT. 2-2 ICT. Storey Opp. E Murray Yellow. Brad McKay

I tend to share your views on Yogi. His success here was based on the squad he inherited at a time when a number of the bigger clubs were struggling from having hit the self destruct button. When it came to replacing players that had been part of the success, he was found wanting despite having a bigger budget at his disposal. Having said that, I think the situation at County may well play to Yogi's strengths. Whatever his faults may be, he is a very good coach. He brought a technical discipline into our defence and the team kept shape well under him. At times it was excruciatingly boring to watch, but it did mean we were hard to beat. County need more discipline in defence, but they also need to score more. They have some decent players up top and Yogi's style of play, which tends to draw the opposition in, may well help them find a bit more space. A further plus for Hughes is that his inadequacies in the transfer market will be less of a problem OTB than here. He will have the funds to keep better players there. Sadly, he will also have the funds to capitalise on his neighbour's greater talent in recruitment and be able to offer better terms when our better players are looking to advance their careers. I don't know whether he will be able to make the changes necessary to be able to save County this year, but I would imagine that as long as Uncle Roy keeps faith with him, they will be a significantly better team next season than they are just now. They will also be significantly more boring to watch.

Even stronger indications it is Yogi. https://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news-items/john-hughes-appointed-manager

It's not just the sacking so close to Christmas, but he was sacked before he even had a chance to speak to the press about the game. For somebody who has given many years to the club, that seems a simply shocking way to treat him. He deserves great credit for the dignified way he spoke to the media yesterday. Interestingly, nearly a day after his dismissal and there is still no statement on the club website other than a rather strange brief bit on Facebook and Twitter which says "Ross County FC can confirm that Stuart Kettlewell has been relieved of his duties as Manager. Stuart was an ideal appointment for the club given his history and association with the club and we will support Stuart in the coming weeks." Not even the usual thanks for what he has done for the club. There's maybe a bit more to this than meets the eye.

A very well deserved honour. Many congratulations, Ian!

HT. 0-0 FT. 0-2 ICT. Storey Alloa. Buchanan