Eagle4Caley

Moving on from the Billy Mckay discussion, what a great result! [Which I predicted!] And gosh arent we lucky that whoever negotiated the Bray transfer ensured he stayed with us for the rest of the season. Having Savage back in the backline helped, and good to see Strachan back in the LB berth. 4 games to go, no more injuries or sendings off please [although Palace won with nine men on Saturday it's not recommended!]. I've predicted a draw at home next weekend...against a side that somehow managed to get thumped by Dumbarton, sounds absolutely predictable then, 2-2 probably with Billy M getting two including a late equaliser! In sort of related news, I see Airdrieonians are having a real go at avoiding automatic relegation in the league above us, which might mean Dunfermline down in our league next season [yes I am assuming we will stay up]...or worse Hamilton

No predictions? Bavidge is a loss, and Billy really needs to come to the party ... as for Luis, who has been good this season, fortunately Bray, Stewart, Brannan, Mackinnon and in particularly Paul Allan, all seem to be able to make things happen. Gilmour being solid helps this

No No, Lets avoid the Play-off and have Elgin promoted...a great away day for me, and another ground ticked off [and we can beat them 4 times!...just checking do we 'hate' them as much as County?]

I wonder how much things rest in how soon Bavidge, Longstaff and MacLeod come back? Savage I think misses 1 game, so we are about to discover who decent Ewans is.

So with 6 games to go, automatic relegation off the agenda, an unlikely promotion play-off place almost certainly unlikely, but ideally a relegation play-off to be avoided…what are people’s predictions for the last six games against these teams [with our records against them this season] Queen of the South [a] WLW Cove Rangers [a] DLL Kelty Hearts [h] DDW Stenhousemuir [a] DWW Arbroath [h] LLL [also L in League Cup!] Montrose [a] DWD Tricky eh? I’m going LWDLWD …will that keep us safe? Surprisingly I’m going for the win against a promoted [?] Arbroath almost entirely on the basis that I’ve booked my flights up to watch the last [scheduled] home match of the season having just arrived back from India [bringing luck and fab weather]

A disappointing result, how much did both the Dumbarton game [a heavy pitch] and the Stennie game, empty the tank? And obviously not having Bavidge may have taken a slight wind out of the sails, although we scored three goals after he went off in midweek. Longstaff a loss, and now Macleod. That said it sounds a fluky win for Annan That faint hope of promotion play-off place perhaps extingushed. But no way Dumbarton will catch us, and if we end up in the wrong play-off hopefully Bavidge and Longstaff will be back Obviously the news today over a lack of buyer hardly helps the mood But the 'fat lady' singing isn't even on the horizon. Obviously one of those weekends, as I was at a freezing Sutton United on Saturday and they lost terrible 0-3 at home

Can we get the match postponed? Not least as it leaves us with only one goalkeeper

What a result! This is my thirteenth season as a proper match going Caley supporter...and its rapidly becoming my favourite season [after the Cup winning year]. Defying the odds, with a rebirth in the club developing after quite a bit of pain, with a real sense of purpose, and the rekindling of the bond between club and its supporters [Dumbarton away was a good demonstration], and playing the sort of football we've been craving for for a while. if we survive [its not really an if] it's a season the players can carry as a badge of honour and a treasured memory.. a 'band of brothers' season Gosh am I getting too emotional? Meanwhile....5th place looks do-able, a good incentive to keep the foot on the pedal.

What a brilliant weekend away that was! Got to Dumbarton from London Gatwick good and early [early enough to have breakfast in MacDonalds!] ...then took in the Scottish Maritime Museum [where a delightful lady told me all the history about the shipyard and Denny boat testing tank], a walk up the coast past the ground to the Castle [where an equally delightful lady took me around the castle and told me a great story about Robert the Bruce's heart!]... Enjoyed a drink in the bar, with a Manchester City supporter ticking off another Scottish football ground Anyway.... Always thought this was going to be a gritty match, the pitch hardly helped, it seemed almost impossible to play a true ball [esp for poor old Nolan!]. Generally we were much the better side, especially in the first half, yet Dumbarton had the more dangerous chances [in the second half], Dibaga and the bar saved us a couple of times, which made the last 10mins decidely nervy especially with Dumbarton winning late corners. But in the end Bavidge came up trumps and I experienced 'limbs' as everyone went bonkers with delight. It was lovely to share the full time celebrations with the team...and what a great turnout from our fans. Well done everybody Playing Brannan at the back to allow Bray to play further forward helped mitigate the absence of Longstaff. I must say we did very well to get Savage last year and Dibaga/Allan this, and Gilmour really is becoming a worthy successor to some quality midfielders we have had in the past...and obviously the signing of Bavidge is the one that saves our season [unless things go strangely awry] To cap off a great weekend both Palace & Sutton United won, I got upgraded at my hotel, and had the entire row to myself on my plane back home....A weekend of football doesn't get much better than that [other than winning the Cup]

Not losing was the important bit, at home too, and coming from behind, has a slightly more positive ring about it. Obviously we want to win every game, maybe as we get closer to safety, the players get a bit more tense, sometime how match starts off dictates the entire game Anyway I am up for Dumbarton next week, not losing there as important! But lets not take anything for granted

12 games [hopefully only 12] to go with a small squad, he can play FB and Midfield, it all helps

In many respects we got off lightly, retaining the strongest available core for the rest of the season. I can't see Bray doing anything other than his best over the next months with his future assured. Obvs at some stage Davidson will also be back....is it me or has the unfortunate Charlie Reilly quietly left th club [he is no longer on the clubs squad page...loan finished?]. 4 challenges over the next 6 months Avoid relegation, possibly get into play-offs, exit administration, have a decent squad for next season...simples

I journeyed up...Euston to Carlisle, Carlisle to Dumfries, Last train back to Carlisle, Overnighter in Carlisle, back in my London office by lunchtime...bloody loved it A bit chilly, but at half time was chatting to a Man Utd/QotS fan in the drinks queue, before discovering they don't take payment card, and he bought my coffee! (which got me through the 2nd half) Thought the team played pretty well last night, Longstaff being out affected the midfield balance in my view. When we equalised to 2-2 I think the team got too excited about trying to win and left themselves a bit open. There were times during the match when our defence seemed to consist of just the two CB's as the FB's were pushing up so much...the tikki-takki stuff seems to be largely out Bavidge is some signing, and Bray looked great at right wing-back. Slightly annoying that Brooks got two against us, but did he get a fair crack when he was our player or does he fit better at QotS Anyway that's another ground ticked off...roll on Dumbarton away in March

No doubt this was a massive result, ...the signing of Bavidge, could be key to saving our season, along with that of Paul Allan. I'm on the train up from Euston lunchtime Tuesday for the re-arranged QotS match, which I am defo looking forward to

Damn it...winning MotM usually puts the kibosh on the next game