Eagle4Caley

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

This was a bloody brilliant result...made all the better seeing goal notifications coming up late on the BBC results programme. I made quite a bit of noise with the 3rd goal! We seem to be spreading our goals around the team, which is a good sign Without the 15point deduction we'd be in 5th place just 5 points off the top spot....given our recent form, togetherness, and more positive approach to play, we'd feel very good about the end of the season. No reason to fear either Arbroath or Stenhousemuir coming up as long as we don't relax

Ooh theres an idea...but on a tight timetable, mind you if he decides to come and watch us I could share the train trip back to Carlisle with him after the match.

Giving this a 2nd try, involves a train up via Carlisle, an overnighter in Carlisle [last train back from Dumfries], before trip back next morning for the Office in the afternoon I must be bonkers...what could possibly go wrong in January!

I sense the optimism is part relief we are still here, and part the sense the team playing with more purpose and positivity now 'Big Dunc' has left the building...however what's left is a fragile tiny squad, if we have a Dodds-era injury crisis we might barely get a team on the pitch. So the one game at a time, one positioned climbed at a time is the most realistic approach. But then when have football fans ever been realistic?

Given how thin our squad is, I would say this was a blessing. I understand Savage was taken off injured, was it serious or precautionary,... with Davidson and Ewan out, we are just a Devine injury away from a major crisis

Fortunately, I cancelled last night, as I got several messages saying trains I had booked were cancelled, so got those refunded and avoided the Hotel costs. not much I can do about the flight costs, but hey ho....presumably the match when it is played will be mid-week, so depending when, I might come up all the way by train and stop in Dumfries

I've just recieved a message saying my return train trip back to Glasgow via Carlisle is cancelled [I booked via Carlisle as it was a quicker return trip...shows what I know] ... and the options direct to Dumfries then back look like they will experience delays...so with just hours to cancel my hotel for free and cut my losses, I need to make a decision quick!

Being docked points for going into administration in not just a Scotland thing, Palace were docked points in 2010, and what the league did to Luton Town over financial irregularities might have seemed bordering on vengeful [to the fans and players, if not the board], even last year Everton and Nottingham Forest. When I look at the average attendances over many Scottish Championship and League 1/2 sides and what potential incomes streams are [little TV money, not much league sponsorship or prize money, transfer fees, hospitality earnings limited by attendance levels, fewer big money opportunities for other sponsorship, like shirt sponsors] I am in awe that there are that many actually existing. Obviously being supported by richer individuals putting hands in their pockets, but not really a sustainable approach. I understand Dumbarton lost out on a land deal not coughing up, if true, sounds strangely familiar. Other than growing the average attendance to at least double we get now, and unless the Scottish authorities leverage in more income from TV/League sponsorship to lower tier clubs, Inverness going forward will need to be much more energetic about growing local talent to move on for decent fees on a yearly basis. I have wondered if a hotel chain on the site paying the club a yearly rental was a way forward to/

This is great to hear …on the occasions I have seen him play live, I felt he was a decent player...it feels a bit like what happened last year to Nathan Shaw, played centrally as a 'play-maker' but losing the benefits of him being out wide. Probably the one concern is we have just the one experienced striker in McKay.... Cairns will need some opportunities to come on as sub a bit earlier, also what's the score with Charlie Reilly, he still seems to be with us, but he suffered a serious injury didn't he?

I can't tell you how happy I am! We just need injuries kept down to minimum...does anyone know why Bray was missing? Early in the season, but Dumbarton winning today brings QotS within range if we can win next weeks 6pointer

I think Musa is already becoming a bit of a cult figure, correct me if I'm wrong but he seems to instil confidence at the back, I feel we were lucky to get him (obvs have no idea of the flaws in his game that meant he was available), and could be crucial for our season

On a day when a depleted Crystal Palace lost at home and a depleted Sutton United team lost away, coming out of an event and seeing this briliant result really made my weekend. It feels like the team are playing with a bit more freedom, conviction and energy. And we still have some gems in the team. Obviously the worry is if we get a Dodds-era injury crisis [which with our squad is now 2-3 players being out!] it could make life more difficult.... but aside from that I am buzzing for my trip up for QotS away in two weeks time

I couldn't agree more...we still have a solid spine to the team [if fit] , a bit sorry for both Duffy's [Flynn never really got a chance] I'm up for the Queen of the South match in Dumfries in a months time, I'm excited, but it will be emotional too Fingers crossed that a reset/re-birth is possible, with more realistic expectations Maybe there will be a time to change the Eagle on the badge to a Phoenix! (temporarily?)