Eagle4Caley

Especially when the home fixtures were at Aberdeen...I can't imagine what a pain that was!

I can definitely fly up to Edinburgh, it's been my gateway for trips to see us against Dunfermline, Falkirk and Livingston...looking at this September's game, Easyjet have some reasonable options on Saturday although I might be pushing it to get the last flight home on the Saturday given the hour & half train trip from Dundee [although I can see one that is just over an hour] and then transfer across to the Airport, so it probably means an overnight stay somewhere and the Sunday flights get more expensive. However Dundee seem quite popular already as a fixture for BBC Sport to show on a Friday night, & the fixture against us could be very enticing...so that means factoring that into the equation. It's all do-able, but it becomes a 3 day trip to plan. [Maybe the one in late Feb on that basis]

Yes being in the Championship makes life a bit tougher with the prospect of games moving to a Friday [so one might need to book the Friday off work] whereas in the Premiership it was a bit easier to plan for a possible TV move to the Sunday as an overnight stay was likely anyway, and a late flight home on a Sunday more likely to be available. I'd love to do a match in Dundee, but logistically quite difficult.

So I got a bit excited at the weekend, and booked my first trip up from London. Morton away in October was 1st preference, but a couple of family birthdays around the date put the block on that...so Queens Park away I thought, in November, at their redeveloped stadium next to Hampden. Flights & Hotel booked, and then casually surfing the 'net I discover that not only have Queens Park have had to play their League Cup games away from their ground as it's not ready, but it might not be ready until December, potentially giving me a trip to Stenhousemuir rather than Mount Florida! Fortunately the train journey is only 25mins and the Airport bus stops outside Queen Street station, so perhaps not too much faff, but getting the best deal to come up to watch Inverness does come with risk. And I am assuming of course the match isn't moved for TV to a Friday night [surely not!] Still I am getting to see Scotland!

Given what must be quite a small budget, I can't help but be optimistic, with the the way the squad is shaping up, we have numbers and a good balance of youth and experience, with some creativity in the side, and some strength across all areas. It is excellent to see Daniel back for the season, I was gutted when he left, and also surprised that he wasn't given more opportunities at Hibs. He and George Oakley will settle in quickly, and if Boyd hits the ground running it's fair to say that up front we seem to have lots of options for a long season, knowing that we should see Walsh and Sutherland back in the new year, in what will feel like useful & timely reinforcements. Being greedy I would love to see Chalmers back to. The midfield looks decent, as long as MacGregor, Allardice and Welsh all stay fit for long periods...Hyde will kick on I reckon. I guess there is some flexibility at RB back in Carson and Duffy, although a proper full time RB is still desirable IMV.

I wouldn't be opposed to it, bearing in mind Sutherland wont be back for some time, he's only 26, he has experience in the Scottish Leagues, and he did ok with us last time [17 goals from 63 appearances inc as subs, is not bad]. He would keep Boyd on his toes, and help bring through any youngsters, and would settle in quickly. For a season not a bad punt and probably affordable. My preference would be Lawrence Shankland...but how much cash can we find down the back of a sofa. We need numbers as well as quality, and there is quality in the squad already

Maybe he was just unhappy there...let's be fair, many of the players that we have signed have not had stellar bio's Samuels for instance was described as, to paraphrase, 'fast but not much end product', but he had a pretty good end of season. Maybe in the right team, with the right coaching?

I'm pleased about Duffy (I think he is a CB who could cover at RB], and actually think it's good news about Doran, because if he has a good pre-season and stays major injury-free for the season, I think he can still be influential. He's only 31 and he has contributed a fair few goals not so long ago. The backbone of the squad is there and pretty decent, think we need three/maybe 4 players [as long as Deas doesn't get poached] A target man up front [to support Billy & Austin] a RB so that Carson can operate as a right winger [much like Rooney at St Johnstone] a left winger [too much to hope we can get Chalmers back, but Pearson?] and left back who can play CB. Good to see Sutherland being supported and hopefully we get to see him come in in 2023 and score the goal that sends us up

i think Duffy has more of a future with us as CB, so i would keep him especially with Broadfoot gone. If Deas stayed that would be a bonus, hope he can be persuaded. Devine has been a rock this year [helped by Broadfoot's experience?] so if he and Welsh stay on that's the core of the side, and Hyde defo looks promising. With Sutherland out for a long time and Out of Contract, I'd like to see a decent tall ball winning Striker brought in, a Right back is a must to allow Carson to cover the right wing. Tom Walsh seems perennially injury prone, so we need a winger [can we get either Person or Chalmers back on a season loan?] Doran is only 31 and I think there is still more he can give us, but maybe needs to be managed to maintain peak fitness/avoidance of injuries Samuels has proved to have real potential, so it's great that he and Billy M are with us next season. Lets hope we get our business down fairly quickly, as arguably I don't see Dundee coming down as a massive threat to us [certainly less so than Kilmarnock] Cove Rangers are a bit of unknown as are Queens Park, but we have as much chance of anyone for that automatic promotion spot....Squad depth might be the key, not just quality or balance

Haven't watched the highlights yet, but TBF to Chalmers, the guy he loses, ends up in the middle of where our two CB's should be, although that was between Deas and Devine so not sure where Broadfoot was. I should have put money on bloody Stevie 'he hasn't scored in 24 games' May scoring. The absolute killer was that deflected shot. Anyway...I think a real plus from this season of this season is the re-emergence of a large crew of young/new/vocal supporters, which if they can be encouraged to keep coming next season will be both a financial and motivation boost for the team. Looking forward to next season, I'm so proud of the club, and love following it

I always thought Rooney was a crap RB but very good going forward

I here what your saying, but it would be nice to have the option of a big guy, who might hold the ball up, or knock on for guys like Samuels to play-off... and be in the middle for crosses from the wings, because for all their qualities it's asking a lot for guys like Mckay, Samuels, Hardy to take on CB's bigger and stronger for 90+mins. Let's be fair for certain games where we were under pressure like Arbroath away and St Johnstone, the ball is going to get hoofed. I was thinking how last year Todorov won so many headers for us. Obviously not always easy to get a big guy who isn't just a carthouse for the money we can pay.

Wow...what a game! After that first 45minutes, when we were lucky to not be 4 or 5 nil down. As the saying goes though you have to score when you're dominating the game, and St Johnstone didn't score enough. I can understand the line-up when you consider that neither Chalmers or Smauels have stayed on the pitch for the whole of any match, and Allardice had played less than 5 minutes in 4 months. In theory playing 3 CB's at the back using Welsh was partly to compensate for not having Devine to partner Broadfoot, and gave us 5 at the back or 4 in midfield to suit passages in play. Also with no Sutherland, a way had to be found to occupy the St Johnstone backline [although Hardy is a bit slow and weak at times]....Whatever the plan was, it didn't work in a spectacularly bad way, and I started to think it might be a blessing as there is no way that line up survives in the Premiership. Dodds therefore deserves great praise for reorganising at half time, and despite what the Sky commentators were saying, you could see we had taken back some of the control of the game from the restart. We were a completely different side in the 2nd half. Samuels made a real difference, he is probably playing the best in his entire career, a decent run in the team and he is developing some strength, control and intelligence to go with his undoubted speed. Chalmers worked hard in defence as well as being a bright spark around the front line. Going to a back 4 with Welsh back in the midfield with some complacency from St Johnstone started the process of regain parity, so for me I felt we were going to get a goal back before we actually did. Allardice added calmness when he came on, let's hope he has no reaction to the game and is available for Monday. As for McAlear, given that he has been a bit 'off-the-boil' during the run in and play-offs, those goals were sublime. Despite the Sky commentators narrative, if Samuels was offside [I don't think he was] then it was marginal, whilst McKay was already getting up from being headbutted by McCart, which may have swayed the ref's thinking not to stop the game. Davidson's moaning about the goal has more to do with realising he had perhaps thrown the tie away, especially after taking off Hallberg and Middleton when he did. McAlear's free kick really was a thing of beauty {the free kick came from another decent build up from Caley too] I would not have been surprised if we had pinched a 3rd goal [but that would be greedy of me] The 2nd leg is definitely up for grabs now, with Devine returning, meaning Deas can go to the left back position to nullify the threat of Rooney, perhaps with the help of Chalmers. Dodds will be wondering if Allardice is up for starting bearing in mind this leg could go to extra time [I'd probably start with Hyde], which if it happens might be harder on Caley than St Johnstone [legs-wise]. I suspect the strategy has to be to score first, so Samuels might also start. This leaves the likes of Duffy, Harper, Hardy and Doran to come on later along with Allardice to try and keep St Johnstone at bay. BTW great to see such a decent crowd in, for such an important game, lots of home support including the young crew on the West stand, to counteract a large St Johnstone following. We can definitely do based it on what I saw in the 2nd half and with reinforcements for the return leg, but it could feel like the longest 90mins. or 120 [Dear God no!] of our Caley lives.

Yes it wasn't great watching, but Arbroath strung 5 across the middle, the wind was terrible, and the pitch didn't run true, so even passes on the deck were difficult, and several times the ball got stuck up and players legs ruining chances [for both sides]. Yes it was the same for both sides, but Arbroath will be used to playing there week after week, which probably explains their excellent home record. I did wonder why we didn't try playing out from the back from Ridgers, but would it only work if Arbroath went for a high press, and the way the ball was bobbling around probably not the best tactic. It also rather explained why Samuels come off at half time, as he was not going to get very much out of that pitch [and let's be fair his first touch ball control needs a bit more work] Fortunately two good pitches to play on for the final, and St Johnstone will be a bit more open, which should help us.

So Duffy would be available for the 2nd leg, but Devine might also be available for the 2nd leg? I hadn't realised that. If we win any appeal and Devine can play in the first leg, then things don't seem so bad. Sutherland is the big miss I reckon as, he is the most physical presence upfront, maybe McAlear will be pushed higher up, to help out, but we may need a third midfielder in the middle of the pitch.

What a result, fantastic penalties, I was almost in tears at the end of that. Conditions terrible for a decent game, wind spoiled it, pitch poor, which fortunately also nullified any threat from Arbroath bar one chance (I think they had 24 shots but only 2 on target) fair play to them they got in our faces and we couldn't play any sort of passing game, but even running with the ball was tough the way the ball bobbled around Willie Collum is a terrible advert for Scottish referees, how he sent of Devine is beyond me, Duffy very unlucky , he was done for a bit of a lunge despite clear getting all of the ball and barely any of their player who made a meal of it. Hope we can appeal Devine because the defence has been excellent. Good news is we will have two decent pitches to play on. bad news is we will miss Shane [and Walsh], Good news is in Chalmers, Doran, Mckay and Samuels we have players who can do some damage to St Jonhstone [ if we keep the ball on the deck] Will Allardice play a part, and is there anyway we can wheel MacGregor out? As we will need everyone we have over two legs Special mention to Hardy for that great run in the 2nd half, if he had got the ball on target, that might have been goal of the season...think he will play a decent part over two games And well done Broadfoot, for MOTM performance, who must now have two black eyes! Can we keep all the players on the pitch for the next two games? and NO objects on the pitch! [Great turn out though]

Yes 0-0 isn't a bad result, as the 2nd half showed that as a team we have plenty in us to get goals, even if it didn't go our way on the night. 1st 30mins was a bit of a shambles, but I think Arbroath will rue not scoring when on top. Come Friday I think I would start with Sutherland in the middle to win and hold some ball, with Samuels alongside, Chalmers sitting deeper in the middle, Harper on the left. That gives a fresher Mckay and then Doran to come on later, or Allardice, Hyde if protecting a lead. Given how good Duffy was as CB when we beat them 3-0, I'd be tempted to play him instead of Broadfoot, who I think still does OK but can get turned too easily and probably should be told not to go forward. Feel quietly confident [in a 'whatever you do don't express any confidence out loud coz you'll jinx it' sort of way] The Pink strip is a must.

Back in London after my trip up...well worth it Firstly the pitch was awful, could have cost us in injuries, goals conceded, bookings due to mistimed tackles, so getting through the game with a win was terrific, although gutting for Walsh who had looked bright Second the support was magnificent, and some great songs, it reminded me of some of the great nights at Palace when the crowd are in full cry, awesome stuff. Overall everybody did a great job over the 90+ minutes, although I could have done without the Carson backpass [I'm blaming the pitch] Hardy did better than I expected when he came on, his reverse ball to Sutherland for the 2nd goal was great, terrific pass from Shane and great movement from Samuels [I have high hopes for him]. Generally speaking we were better in all departments, but the pitched levelled it a bit, and football can do funny things so the mantrea 'one game at a time' definitely rings true here A real bonus to see Allardice on the subs bench, he looks pretty trim, MacGregor I'm assuming rested because of a slight knock or reaction, let's hope both get the opportunity to play against Arbroath if [IF] we finish the job on Friday. Finally first time I have seen Hyde, he looks quite a 'tank' [in a strong way] another bonus from the academy

Good way to close out the normal season before the play-offs with nearly all the objects achieved with Walsh getting on the scoresheet twice along with Sutherland, MacGregor getting a good performance in, good game time for Harper, bonuses in Hyde, Hardy scoring!, no bookings and injuries bar Duffy, let's hope that is not serious. For a brief while with Raith winning and Partick losing heavily I was checking routes to Kirkcaldy! Let's take one play-off game at a time and see how far we can get..... I think we have enough in each area of the pitch to have some confidence

Yes, That will proper screw me up!

My only problem with that is that the squad is quite used to a certain amount of rotation, so not really a problem, but if we lost say Deas, Broadfoot, Chalmers, Welsh, Mckay, Carson or Sutherland in a dead rubber game because of an injury, that would severely impact on the two most important games coming up. The likes of Walsh, Samuels, Duffy, Harper, Macgregor and McAlear would all benefit with the game time for different reasons, which will be beneficial in the play-offs. We do somewhat put Devine at risk I accept, but someone has to play! Anyway I'm all booked up for Glasgow now, really looking forward to it

I'm thinking a line up of Mackay Nicholson Duffy Devine Harper MacGregor Hyde McAlear Walsh Samuels Riddle We have to protect Deas with his yellow cards and Broadhurst coz of his age, so Devine gets to manage the backline. Mckay, Sutherland and Chalmers are our best attacking assets. Welsh has a crucial role to play and has yet to be severely crocked this season, lets avoid that. Doran obvs no chance, was he taken off as a precaution Saturday because he will be useful if we can get some minutes out of him maybe if we get past Partick Not sure if Nicholson is a RB, but would be nice to have the option as Carson is better for us in midfield, and Duffy definitely better at CB Harper MacGregor and Walsh will all benefit from game time We could start Joe Hardy up front, but I'm not sure he adds much

Hi CaleyTennis Think your being a bit harsh on some of our players, let's face it if they were that good they'd be playing elsewhere [as I often say at Palace about players costing a lot more] I understand your basic premise of selling a quality player in order to fund several quality players. That could work in the EPL where a really decent player could command a very big fee, and clever recruitment can find 2-3 decent players to come in [I'll ignore the sky high wages for mundane players bit for now] Unfortunately the Scottish leagues don't command such fees, I think we just about got 500k for Ryan Christie and he was a top prospect, Daniel Mackay I suspect went for quite a bit less, and I can hardly see MacGregor funding any sort of spending spree. Deas might well be off at the end of the season but if we got £100k I'd be surprised. Likewise any players who might be on decent wages are on those because we are trying to retain them. Your list of players to be retained does seem to rely on an awful lot of our young inexperienced players. As a club with a small average attendance , bugger all TV money, and few lucrative sponsorships we are pretty constrained, as to what we can afford. I also watch Sutton United who got promoted to the English League 2 last season from the National league, and there are several players there that would cost more than Ryan Christie to obtain for us [David Ajiboye would be one I'd love up here} So in reality when we lose one of our better players, it's quite a hard job just to replace them let alone achieve a 2-1 replacement ratio One priority this summer [assuming we don't get promoted] has to be to secure a decent pacy right back that allows Dave Carson to stay in midfield and not rely on Wallace Duffy who I think is better at CB [he certainly looked good there against Arbroath] this would offset Deas' exit if he went with us then relying on Harper at LB and he's decent enough there. That we still leave us short on CB cover, I'd actually keep Broadfoot, and then look to find a young CB prospect. If I won the lottery I'd certainly fund Logan Chalmers, but I reckon he'll go back to his parent club with reputation enhanced more likely to play for them. Norwich are going down so I expect Reece McAlear to get more chances in the English Championship [but I'd certainly keep him if I could] I like Tom Walsh, but in reality has he contributed that much? I'd keep Doran over him, either way we will want a winger who can stick a decent cross in on a regular basis. Samuels I think will come good next year, and a retained fully fit MacGregor will be an asset that would ortherwise cost more to replace. Welsh migh be the guy to move on if Allardice is fully fit. So my outs are Walsh, Welsh, perhaps Doran, Deas [only if hand is forced] Hardy [loan finished] along with McAlear and Chalmers unlikey to extend loans. In's would be a) a RB b) a winger c) a CB d) a holding midfielder. as an aside I wonder if we can get Scott Banks on loan from Crystal Palace, he'd slot in nicely in midfield [he's highly regarded at CPFC but chances are few in the PL] meanwhile does Lawrence Shankland want to come back to the UK? [although that would need real money not luncheon vouchers!]]

Rather hoped Caley would clinch 3rd place so I could confirm travel up to Glasgow for the 3rd May...assuming Partick don't blow 4th place in favour of Raith! I have a hotel reserved, and a ridiculously priced rail ticket home to London in my pocket [£26!]....So only quandary is do I go for the flight up now or wait until Saturdays results? [I think I can wait 4 days!] Somehow I wasn't surprised that QoS did us...they had much to lose, and Dumfries is a long way to go. Morton away Saturday might prove better, but only if we seize the initiative straightaway

Looks like the 'Top Four', have all served the one match suspension, probably only Deas could get to 12 before the play-offs [for a 2nd ban], so might be worth playing Harper at LB after Q0S. Might be worth starting with Duffy in the last games instead of Broadfoot to rest him. Think we need to protect Carson a bit as well. Be good to give MacGregor game time after QoS, plus Samuels