ict247

Today was the first chance that I've had to see ICT since the end of last season and i'm impressed by the progression being made to adapt to Yogi's philosophy and style. We started off as shown below with Vincent, Christie and Williams often moving into each other positions to give us a fluid formation. This worked a treat as the players looked comfortable moving with each other and Hamilton found it hard to pick up the players as they dragged the defenders out of their positions. The most pleasing aspect of this for me was that when we did lose the ball, we quickly regained our 4-2-3-1 shape which we know is hard to break down. Starting formation Brill Raven Meekings Warren Shinnie Draper Tansey Vincent Christie Williams Mckay Meekings and Warren both seem to have developed a better understanding of what Yogi is trying to do and they were both more than happy to have the ball and pass it across the back four and at the right times, playing it into Tansey and Draper who were always dropping deep to ask for the ball. Raven and Shinnie played noticeably higher up the pitch (which suits them both) almost as wing-backs which pinned the Hamilton wingers back and allowed the centre halves time on the ball. This was particularly noticeable from goal kicks when the below formations was adopted. The ball was very rarely punted long due to Meekings and Warren splitting to the side of the box and allowing Tansey/Draper to drop deep and receive the ball. Occasionally, Christie came deep to pick up the ball with Vincent and Williams dropping inside. This allowed space for Raven and Shinnie to get up the wing. From Goal Kicks Brill Meekings Tansey Warren Raven Shinnie Draper Christie Vincent Mckay Williams One of my worries with Yogi has been the lack of a 'Plan B' however, there was definitely a change of style once the subs (in particular Watkins and Doran) were brought on today. Although possession was still the main focus, the supporting three stuck to their positions, provided width and we saw the end of the inter changing positions. Although this isn't a change of formation I'd certainly class it as a 'Plan B' and it fills me with confidence that we seem to have more than one system. Introduction of Watkins, Doran & Ross Brill Raven Meekings Warren Shinnie Draper Tansey Watkins Ross Doran Mckay Overall, impressive performance today but there is a long way to go and still a lot of work to be done. Hamilton were very poor today and against a stronger team we may need to raise the speed of our forward play. The key to this style of play is patience and realising that when we choose to go back to the keeper, rather than go forward, we are choosing to place a higher emphasis on possession to stop the opposition having the ball. We killed the game today by keeping the ball which worked a treat. Today was great to watch and the players looked delighted at full time and long may it continue. Top 6 and cup final is still very much achievable. Bring on Dundee

Celtic Aberdeen Dundee Utd Motherwell Dundee St Johnstone ICT Partick Thistle Ross County St Mirren Kilmarnock Hamilton

http://sport.stv.tv/football/281472-inverness-move-for-striker-jean-christophe-ayina-will-come-down-to-finances/

May guess: Brill Shinnie Devine Tremarco Williams Draper Tansey Doran Christie Watkins McKay

I would say that Adams was at fault - he was a distance out of his technical area. However, Hamill really deserves a lengthy ban and fine as his actions were out of order especially when pretending to pass the ball back to the County players. I'm not surprised Hamill was involved though having seen his antics during our semi-final with Hearts. The guy really comes across as an idiot and the funny thing is - he's a terrible footballer.

CaleyKidsTogether

No width, too much passing in safe areas and no service to Billy. A change of strategy is needed badly.

Agreed but one thing Yogi can influence is tactics and I suspect that he is firmly behind why the ball was played back to Brill in the first place. Under Butcher, would we have seen the ball from Brill going to Meekings in the first place? I feel that Yogi is forcing a style upon the team that simply does not suit the players that we have. It concerns me greatly and it takes a big man to change his philosophy - will Yogi do so?

No Tansey?

Good post from AJS, I fully agree and whilst Foran's contribution and influence will never be doubted, a role from the sidelines may be of more benefit to the team in the short run and the long run. I've been very impressed with young Christie and he's one I'd like to see put pressure on Vincent for the position in behind Billy. My worry is that Yogi doesn't seem to be too keen on playing two wingers at the same time. I think the strategy is for the full backs to provide the width which means the wingers are tucking inside too much for my liking. Doran in particular has taken to this very much in the last couple of years. I'd love to see us getting back to two out and out wingers providing width and crosses.

This time last week I wrote this: "I'm not necessarily slating Yogi's team selection but what I would heavily criticise is his tactical awareness in terms of playing to our players strengths." This week, I feel exactly the same way and it worries me. We finished the game tonight with no natural wingers on the pitch. We lost a goal from meaningless passing across the defence and we continually play players out of position. I am worried about Yogi's tactical awareness

Subs: Esson, Devine, Ross, Christie, Evans, Williams, Polworth

Team lineup: Brill Raven Meekings Warren Shinnie Tansey Draper Vincent Foran Watkins Mckay

My brother is a very likeable, enthusiastic, fun character who happens to be the same age as Yogi. He can also talk a good game. Not sure that qualifies him as the best candidate for next manager though. I agree and i'm not talking about what does or doesn't qualify him for the job. He wasn't my choice for the job but the matter is that he is here and we have two choices to make: Get on with it and support the team irrespective of the fact that the manager maybe isn't our cup of tea (at the moment, maybe he'll win us over?) Put pressure on him and try and pick holes in his management anytime we have any kind of negative result. The fact is that we operate on one of the lowest, if not the lowest budgets in the SPFL and for two or three years we have perhaps been overachieving but it's important that we take heed and remember where we have come from. We're now an established premiership team, fighting for the top six each year and battling away against 'bigger teams' in the cup. I don't agree with this. The board should have got rid of Brewster before they did. It was all very gentlemanly but not the right thing for the club to stick with Brew - another nice guy that talked a better game than Yogi. I think comparisons between Brewster and Yogi are ridiculously unfair. Yes, it's not gone all that well so far but it's early days - give the man a chance. Not sure I agree with this. Fans will make their mind up on a purely footballing/results basis. The board will take financial matter into account too. I would expect the average fan to get disgruntled before the board do more often than not. I don't think we are at pitch-fork sharpening time yet, though. I agree that the average fan will get disgruntled before the board will (especially in Inverness) but what i do firmly believe is that we have a brilliant chairman who is solely looking after the clubs interest and when we have someone like that in charge, I am happy to accept his appointments until the time comes for change.

Sacking the manager is not the right option at this time. Yogi is a very likeable, enthusiastic, fun character and I can see why the board were keen to give him the job. My main concern as highlighted in the Motherwell thread is his lack of tactical awareness and understanding of our players strengths and weaknesses. We are not and will not become an elegant team with the capabilities of ball retention. We need to get the ball forward quickly and play in the final third - this is not John Hughes' style i'm afraid and this makes me very worried. He'll retain my support until the chairman and board decide they want change. I support our club as a collective group of individuals, not just individuals. #togetherNESS

Having been at the game tonight, i'd like to make a few observations regarding team selection, shape and where I think we're going wrong. Where to start! Starting team and formation: Brill Raven Devine Meekings Shinnie Tansey Doran Draper Foran Vincent Mckay Yogi set up tonight much like the final on Sunday. The aim of the tactics being to let Doran and Vincent come inside and play off McKay whilst dominating the centre of the park with Tansey, Draper and Foran. The two 'wingers' coming inside opens the space down the two wings for Shinnie and Raven to get forward and provide the width. Tansey then sits deep with Meekings and Devine and aims to pick out passes from his own half. In theory a reasonable tactic which focuses on ball retention, high quality passing and clever movement. This means when attacking we effectively had three players at the back - Meekings Devine and Tansey. Tonight (in the first half), we couldn't keep the ball, the passing was poor (especially from Draper and Foran) and we were too static in the final third. A risky tactic to adopt from a team known for pace, work rate and counter-attacking football under Butcher. Both goals came from loosing the ball too far up the pitch, Motherwell playing it down the channels and breaking on us. This for me is a real worry as we didn't even make it difficult for Motherwell to score. Second half team and formation: Brill Raven Devine Meekings Shinnie Draper Foran Tansey Christie Vincent Mckay Second half was much the same but with Draper and Foran sitting deeper to provide a little extra cover for a open defence. Bringing on Christie helped improve our passing and movement but the same problem existed, we played too narrow and we lack the quality to open up defences with clever passing movements. Tansey was useless on the wing and looked lost, Vincent doesn't suit the role and Foran can't pick out a pass. What now then? For me, i'm very worried about Yogi's tactical decisions - the players don't look comfortable. We are not playing to our strengths, Mckay is not getting any service and when he is, it's balls into him with his back to goal and a defender on his back. When was the last time we saw a ball played through for him to run onto? Desired team selection: Brill Raven Warren Meekings Shinnie Draper Foran Watkins Vincent Doran Mckay I'm not necessarily slating Yogi's team selection but what I would heavily criticise is his tactical awareness in terms of playing to our players strengths. Why play Tansey and Vincent wide when it's so clear that neither of them have any pace to take on a man and deliver a cross? Why have our full backs become our main attacking threat? Why are we insisting on playing the ball to the centre backs from goal kicks? We are not technically good enough to play a ball retention/patience style of football. I want us to get back to what we are good at. A solid back four with two sitting in front and making it hard to break down. I want to see Doran and Watkins hugging the touchline offering width and for Vincent to get forward and run beyond Mckay. Lets get men behind the ball when defending, lets get forward in numbers when the opportunity comes to counter. My worry is that Hughes is changing the whole dynamics of the team. His tactics are not necessarily wrong and I hope that they will work but I have strong strong strong reservations i'm afraid to say.

Brill Meekings Warren Devine Raven Shinnie Tansey Draper Doran McKay Foran How would people feel about this?

Brill Raven Meekings Devine Shinnie Draper Foran Watkins Tansey Doran Mckay Esson, Tremarco, Vincent Ross, Williams.

Fully agree with this. A draw between Dundee Utd and St J would be good too

Just a reminder that we have a game to play tonight: Brill Meekings Devine Warren Tremarco Foran Polworth Doran Ross Williams McKay Subs: Esson, Shinnie, Vincent, Greehalgh, Pepper, Christie, Evans

Brill Raven Meekings Warren Shinnie Foran Tansey Watkins Vincent Doran Mckay Esson, Devine, Tremarco, Ross, Williams.

£10 donated from me too

Like others, I also made a last minute decision to go the game and had to endure sitting amongst the Celtic support (luckily there was nothing to cheer about anyway!) Yogi got it wrong yesterday, the players got it wrong yesterday and we were lucky not to concede more. Just a few observations: The tactics yesterday were wrong. Giving it a "right good go" at Celtic Park is just asking for Celtic to over run us. We started the game playing a straight 4-4-2 as follows: Brill Raven Warren Meekings Shinnie Vincent Draper Tansey Ross McKay Foran Neither Vincent or Ross are natural wingers that will run at the fullback and take them on. This lead to both of them tucking inside on numerous occasions which allowed Shinnie and Raven to press forward into the space. This tactic is all well and good when we can keep the ball and feed it out wide but Draper and Tansey (in particular) were too often caught on the ball or tried the impossible pass through the crowded middle of the park to Foran (more on him later!) and McKay. This left us short at the back and with the pace from Forrest, Stokes and Griffiths, Celtic were often through three on two with little protection for Warren and Meekings. I haven't had the chance to see us under Hughes that often but the thing that really struck me yesterday (and on other occasions) was the difference in style between Butcher and Hughes. Butcher was all about getting the ball forward quickly, getting crosses into the box and seeing that happens. Hughes has certainly got the team passing from the back with the fullbacks pushing onto the halfway line for goal kicks looking to receive the ball. I'm not slating Hughes and I am far from an being against Hughes but I would question the ball retention strategy. I understand the logic of it but for years, we have been a team that have been built upon graft, soaking up pressure and hitting on the counter attack quickly. The way the team set up yesterday was to slow play down which allowed Celtic to get back into shape and gave them the chance to steal back possession quickly. In short, i'm yet to be convinced. I would much preferred to see a formation as follows yesterday: Brill Raven Warren Meekings Shinnie Foran Draper Watkins Vincent/Tansey Ross McKay My last observation (I could make many more but won't!) is centred on Richie Foran. Let me get this in straight away, I am a big Foran fan and I fully agree that we play better when he plays, he has bucket loads of passion for the club and will hopefully become manager at some stage. However, yesterday I was very disappointed in him. Hopefully I am being over critical but I thought his work rate was poor, he was looking to make everything about him and he just didn't look very up for it. I personally prefer him playing the deeper lying midfield role now but yesterday I thought he looked really very poor upfront. He wasn't the only player and it's perhaps harsh to single him out but I think as club captain he needs to take a little bit more responsibility for the teams performance and attitude. I full agree with Yogi when he said the result isn't going to define our season and I think as fans, we need to move on from yesterday now and focus on next weeks cup tie. We've had a fantastic season so far and the players deserve all the praise that they'll get. We really can go far this year so lets get behind the team and cheer them on to a cup double.

http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1208-ticket-info-scottish-cup-v-dundee-utd Excellent once more from the club -

So glad that someone else asked!