Eagle4Caley

Aha...I missed that I guess he picked that up in the Dumbarton game...oh well someone HAS to step up and command the centre.

What is puzzling me is the absence of Sean Welsh...last seen completing a full game in the Scottish Cup Final, not even mentioned currently...anyone know if he is injured? We seem to be missing a leader in midfield and one in the back four [did people see Robbie Deas being highly commended in his match in the SPL last week at Kilmarnock, he's not been replaced]. No sign of Duffy or Ram [will he ever be fully fit]. And the subs bench looking thin already? In all the games we've lost we have had chances to get something out of them [it seems from reports] but our defence looks frail. Sometimes margins between success and failure are small Two weeks before the Airdrie game...lets hope we use it wisely!

Whilst it was a disappointing result, I won't get to fussed about going out of the cup, given that we seem to have tried to give as many players as possible game time, in what has been almost a pre-season style campaign after a late finish to last season Sure in the end, peoples views are often affected by the result, but given many comments on this match and what I heard about the Dumbarton game, there have been enough elements to be quietly happy about, and with a bit of luck we might have picked up more points, but obviously we seem to have start slowly in the last two games, and mixing up the team for game time has obvs had a disjointing affect. Absolutely no point in people calling for Dodds head after two poor games, given his record here and him just signing a new contract. Likewise Defence obviously needs to sharpen its game, but Devine, Duffy and Delaney have all been strong performers [if not consistent enough]. the Nicholson injury sounds a blow, but other youngsters look promising, and the new boys all look useful I did wonder if Airdrieonians would be this years Queens Park given two strong seasons in the League below..I will find out more at the end of August went I pop up there for the away league fixture.

Happy with that result, not fussed at all about the performance, from comments above it was a bit mixed, but it is after all almost a 'pre-season friendly' given this is just the 3rd competitive game since the players returned. Most importantly we picked up no injuries, this time last year Max Ram lasted just 14minutes before coming off, in a pre-cursor to what became an injury hell for the club. Good to see MacGregor get a decent run out, he could be an important figure this season.

Hold on, let’s remember that the Club gave both players a years extension to their contracts, when the likelihood was they might not get back on the pitch in that season, that is hardly being unfair, given that iCT arent a rich club. Obviously what we don’t know is the extent that either the Club or the players carry some sort of ‘medicare’ insurance cover for injuries and operations that are almost certainly going to be via private healthcare. I would imagine given the lower end of the pay scale that anyone playing in the Championship is on, a player relies heavily on the help the PFA can provide, who as the Player Union seem to provid little support on contracts [maybe non- payment and disputes but not negoiations], so it is good if the pFA have been able to help Walsh I get the comment on the club’s communications skills…. A simple statement in good time addressing the contract situations of both players might have quelled some of the disquiet amongst some fans. It shouldn’t be difficult, and Gardiner has been adept at putting out long statements from time to time Meanwhile, I’m delighted to see the signing of Adam Brook who sounds a promising addition, and without the injury history that is attached to many of our players

Be interesting to see where Kennedy ends up, he did alright for us, and was defo the pick of the bunch for Falkirk when we beat them in the Cup, I liked the way he kept going and didn't hide when things when against them. We are too far North for him to come back, but would love it if he did

I think they would be rather admiring of it, and it would certainly stand out as this years Palace shirt is a 'half and half' design. Mind you I haven't had a Season Ticket for 2years, for various reasons, so haven't been there for a while.

I love that new shirt, wasn't such a fan of last years [although it probably worked quite well for leisure wear], this years looks a proper football shirt

I've been keen to visit this impressive stadium for a couple of years now, and have booked travel for the August game already. Flight up, overnight coach back! I'm ridiculously excited!

Ooh that's good news in my book, a recognised RB on a 2yr deal, with a decent seasons experience at a promotion chasing club, allows Carson to focus on Right Midfield and Duffy challenging Delaney for 1st choice CB alongside Devine [I'm assuming Max Ram will continue as understudy initially], gives options to push Harper into midfield if JD goes LB [and we can still run a backline full of 'D's]. If Macgregor gets back to full fitness, midfield starting to look OK, but would be nice to hold onto Allardice.

Bloody hell, yes it was Andrew playing for Brum!

Yes...I went to Charlton and saw us win 1-0 if I remember...and you and I went to Birmingham City's ground [David Shinnie was in their team] I've also done Ayr, Livingston, Dunfermline, Falkirk, Partick, Celtic Park [League Cup Final], Stenhousemuir [for Queens Park] Hampden [4 times]of course, Kilmarnock got thwarted by Covid, Hearts called off by High Winds...not bad for a South Londoner [IMHO]

I know Dunfermline will have the momentum of a promotion [as had one could Queens Park], but how much stronger will they be 2 years on from relegation. Neither Kilmarnock or Dundee Utd can honestly be said to be anyting other than yo-yo clubs, but yes they all have a little bit more money than us....Ross County would be a threat. Obviously its a blow that we missed out on the play-offs they way we did, but I bet no-one saw Partick's strong showing in the play-offs, so promotion for us that way not a given. But I think it's very unfair to say we failed this season when we had more than a first team out through injury for such long periods...no team in any league could carry that cross and expect to be successful. But we are in the Cup Final, and no one can take that away from us [especially not Queens Park] ...Obvs the odds are stacked against us but win or lose I shall enjoy the day

What a lovely trip up! In the company too of CaleyMad and his son! Probably the difference was we could finish our chances and Falkirk couldn't despite our charitable acts to give them a couple of chances [don't do that against Celtic boys]. Shaw desperately unlucky, and I was impressed by how simple and effective Henderson kept it with great delivery too. Duffy impressed as well, I don't think Kennedy ever beat him? [TBF to Kennedy who was getting boo'd for being an 'ex, he kept going against us for 90mins and always looked a threat...not bad for a 20year old] With me whooping with delight in the stadium at Palace also winning, I had the surreal moment of being recognised by and thus being introduced to Yngwie So onto the final, flight up already booked, but Hotel and Flight-back costs, leading me to book an overnight coach return! Meanwhile I'm up for Part II of the 'most important game of the season'.... against Ayr

Cove Rangers have beaten Dundee this season...so, maybe, possibly

Maybe we wont need the play-offs anyway Yes...I am a bit giddy

Last nights result was one of those that makes this season possibly legendary, I was at another match, with more than one eye on my phone, we went behind, I went 'ahhh!, but still had a sneaky feeling, that on a night the whole season could be defined by, we would get something Last weekend, I looked at the upcoming fixtures and realised that we could still claim AUTOMATIC promotion...highly improbable one might say, although only Cove beating Dundee away actually is. Claiming the 2nd spot is do-able [and highly desirable] And of course we could blow the whole thing I might be certifiable! BUT in a season when we beat a side that had beaten us 4 times already, and where we might get to the Scottish Cup Final despite being knocked out, virtually anything can happen...that decision to book flights/hotel for the last match of the season looking better as every match goes by

It's quite remarkable that no points againts Hamilton are the difference between us challenging for automatic promotion rather than pushing for a play-off place, and could yet cost us that too. Also remarkable that Partick just a couple of games ago looked challengers for title and yet we could catch them. Anyway great result again today, without Henderson. We could do with having Duffy back soon to give us the option of pushing Carson forward, if required to give Welsh or Allardice a breather

Nice! I have hotel booked already, just need to know day & time of match so I can sort the flights out A nice bonus, interesting to see 3 ex-Caley players in their team Let's hope Falkirk don't rename themselves Hamilton for the duration of the match!

Yes that double blow against Hamilton after a great away Cup win might have cost us a play-off place ...just hope when I come up for the last match of the season against Ayr it will be winner takes the last Play-off spot! [I feel it in my bones]. Terrific performance on Friday...especially Duffy on the RB position allowing Carson to operate as a No.10 which was so effective ...plus great wing play on both sides

Sounds like some of our best players up front and in defence had a mare after the first 25mins...not sure how this is BD's fault? Put it this way was last weeks great win and performance down to the players or BD? {or Both}

A good day all round then Sandy Sounds like it was a very solid performance I'm not sure how many times we've had Welsh AND Allardice in the same team this season, add in D Mackay and Henderson across that line and we look strong. Couldn't believe my eyes to see Deas on the bench, I imagine it'll be few games before he starts, but that would be our strongest backline back together. Just need some forwards back to help Billy Mac [I'm assume allowing Oakley to leave to find some form at Morton is linked to the prognosis on long-term injury victims returning] A definite morale booster, and technically we are unbeaten in 2023, can we build on this? Be nice to continue past the next round of the Cup. League wise it's Interesting that we are the same number of points off a relegation play-off spot as we are the top spot, are we looking down or up?

I can't decide if this is good news or bad. If we get more injuries and lose, obvs not great...it's match one would call a 'free hit' and since we weren't due to play next week, a competitive game might be good [not sure if playing on their 3G pitch is great for tender limbs?].....of course if we win tomorrow, beat Livi next week with Samuels scoring on a surprise return, and win the following match against the Accies everything will feel great! Surely that wont happen? and yes I am certifiable!

In a league where literally anybody can beat anybody, where home advantage rarely seems to be one, is a draw away from home a bad result? Especially coming back twice from being behind. I'd say that it was pretty decent, given that surely RR by dint of averages must beat us eventually! Yes you could argue that if Hamilton and Arbroath can win away etc etc, but an away point is still good in my book. We are slowly getting bodies back, we've scored 12 goals in 4 matches, we kept a clean sheet against the league leaders just recently [a team that played us off the park in the previous meeting].....are we putting on dazzling displays each week, perhaps not.... are we hanging on in there after a torrid winter with an injury crisis, yes we are! two points off the play-offs, 9 off automatic promotion {with every side above us to be played twice again] with the likes of Ayr, Dundee and Partick to be played twice again. We don't have any financial advantage over any other side in the mix, Is the likes of Henderson making a difference? I'd say yes [as was Shaw until he got injured], we've not lost since his arrival which is also helping Billy Mac [and Doran is making a contribution]. The management must be confident of seeing Samuels, Sutherland and Walsh back soon to let Oakley go, and suddenly our subs bench looks a whole lot better. Who knows we could soon see Allardyce, Welsh and D Mackay in the same midfield. Do I think Dodds is the right guy for us, I'm not sure...the guy who gave us a real buzz was Neil McCann, but he didn't want to stay, but we have Dodds, he can get us going on good runs, he needs to able to stop the bad runs quicker. I still think we have a chance this season and I'm booked with my wife to come up for the last home game of the season...I kinda of feel it will be good trip Yes...I know I'm certifiable, but I'm still loving supporting Caley {but then I support Palace too, so I know what rollercoaster experiences feel like]

Imagine if Samuels, Sutherland AND Tom Walsh all came back soon, in good fettle