Caley Mad In Berks

Half time not a moment too soon. We need to regain our composure. Well worth our lead even though 'Tic have had most of the possession.

Ya beauty. Get in there

Whoopie. What a cracker too.

Well, here we are just a few hours away. I don't think I've ever been so upbeat before an Old Filth match. I'm gutted that I wasn't able to use my Airmiles to get a last minute flight to Glasgow, so, like many others I'll be relying on radio, unless, by some miracle, I find a TV stream on the computer. Providing we don't freeze on the big stage, I really believe we can get a result at Parkhead for the second year running. I don't think there is a club in Scotland playing better football right now. So good luck to all the players and management, and of course to all our fans who are able to get there. I wish I was with you all.

H/T 0-1 F/T 0-2 ICT Vincent 'Tic Samaras Time 17

Great to see us getting good press. His point about Shinnie is well made. I must admit that I was not a great fan of his when he first broke into the side. At that time I thought Gillet was much the better full back. However he has come on leaps and bounds in the past season, helped I'm sure by the fact that Warren and Meekings give him great cover when he makes his runs forward.

Yes, but I doubt if she bets on them losing!!!!

Never really liked him. Glad we're in a position now where he is not missed from a footballing point of view. If he is shady, I hope he gets his just deserts in the fullness of time.

Another great display and another clean sheet. I have to pinch myself everytime I look at the league table (which is rather often). Carry on the good work at Parkhead next week lads.

That was only my second trip to 'new' Wembley. Previous visit was for an EFL2 play-off final where the crowd was only c40k With double that crowd last night I was really impressed with the crowd management arrangements, both from the Wembley staff, and especially the railway staff at the local Wembley Stadium rail station. Getting in and out was absolutely no problem. We were actually on a train, on the way home, within 15 mins of game finishing. As to the game itself, Scotland did better than many expected, took their goals well, and, had they been more organised at defending from set pieces, an upset was not out of the question. Just briefly, a couple of times, memories of 1967 came back to me!. Rooney did himself no favours 'in the shop window', and I thought it was ironic that his replacement, Lambert, scored with virtually his first touch of the ball. Tartan army did themselves proud all through the game, and in our section, where we were vastly outnumbered by home supporters, there was some great banter between us, all good natured, and the stewards kept a low profile, not bothering about folks standing up for long periods.

H/T 2-0 F/T 3-1 ICT Foran 'Well McFadden Time 14

Is Esson injured, or dropped? If injured, presumably not too badly as he is fit enough to be on the bench. I don't think Brill has been really tested yet, but you can't argue with 3 clean sheets in a row (including Charlton). However, unless his loan period is extended, Brill is only with us until January so presumably Esson will have to regain his place before then so that he is match fit for the second half of the season. I can't help feeling that, even last season, Esson was a bit hard done by to lose his no. 1 spot, so I can't imagine how his confidence is this year for it to be happening again.

I'll take that. Stats show that we were well on top. Another goal would have been nice to ease the pressure in the last 10 minutes. But, no matter, still top of the league. How good does that feel ???

h/T 1-1 F/T 1-3 ICT Warren D Utd Goodwillie 1st goal 36min

Not just your gang. Growing up in Inverness in the 40s and 50s, that's what we called them too. Maybe its a local Inverness name for them. Certainly if I used it down here in Englandshire folks would think I was mad.

I'd be surprised if Terry was interested given Rangers shambolic state, but, then again, I suppose money talks!

A great start. Having seen them last week at Charlton, I was confident that if they played like that, they would have no trouble with Midden. I'm beginning to think Terry reads this forum. Several of us on here expressed the view that we were unimpressed with McKay as a penalty taker (despite him scoring a few last season). Lo and behold, first game of the season and we have a new man taking them. So well done Terry for doing something about it. I hope Vincent is the right man for the job. Looking forward to seeing the highlights. Well done again lads, I'm really looking forward to this season.

H/T 1-0 F/T 2-0 ICT Draper ST M Thompson ist goal 11mins

I like the look of Renegades XI, but with Williams instead of Watkins (who, with relatively little matches under his belt, will not be risked by Tel imo). Also, I'd have had Polworth (who had a decent game at Charlton) on the bench instead of Greenhalgh in any case, but assuming Watkins doesn't play, then Greenhalgh will get a sub spot.

Just got back to rainy Berkshire after a great day out with two of my ICT 'converts'. (Reading supporters really). We found the Charlton supporters in all the pubs we tried (Pickwick, Rose of Denmark and Antigallican)really friendly and welcoming. As to the game itself, first off a huge round of applause to our small but loud support who sang and encouraged the team from before the game started until after it finished. Charlton were a decent Championship side last season and today we matched them in every facet of the game. Great to see us playing on the ground, possession football. Hardly a sign of the old hoof ball. By my reckoning we had 4 chances to their one in the first half. The second half was closer, separated only by our fantastic goal. Charlton came at us hard for the last 10 minutes, after we scored, but apart from this spell never really looked threatening. Great to see our back 4 covering each other so well if anyone got in trouble. I'm hugely encouraged by this result, surely our best pre season result of the past few weeks, and will do no end of good to the confidence of the team. Roll on the 'real thing' next Saturday.

Andrew Shinnie scored again for Birmingham, versus Swindon, a few days ago in a 3-0 win.

Decent fight back by the sound of things.

Has anyone decided which pub ICT fans are meeting in pre match? The choice seems to be between the Antigallican (where some are staying overnight I believe), or the Rose of Denmark. Or maybe both ??? Four of us from Reading area will get there 12ish. Perhaps see some of you around.

Absolutely chuffed for him. Richly deserved. Another 'monkey' off his back and I am sure he will go on now to be a multiple slam, and Wimbledon, winner. Great that he can now give a giant 'up yours' to his, still many, detractors, including, I'm sad to say, some fellow Scots. I'm already on my third celebratory dram!!

Yes, well done Caleydawson for all the regular updates. It sounds as if our lads have got their scoring boots on nice and early. Lets hope it continues when we face sterner opposition.