Robert

I agree. If we play Samuels wide, he needs to improve how he tracks back and supports the left back (as does Pearson on the right) but he created the confusion that led to our goal and was troubling their right back at times, particularly when he came inside.

Seeing as Kingsmills thinks I’m an optimist, some pluses from our dismal run: Cammy MacKay has shown he is a very capable goalie with two very good performances in which he had several good saves and could not be blamed for the goals we lost. Lewis Hyde did not look out of place at right back tonight (and I may be wrong but is he not a midfielder?). Lewis Nicolson looks a prospect at left back. Sam Pearson is a find and his first senior goal tonight should give him confidence to kick on. I wish we’d give him the full 90 minutes rather than subbing him, though. It is good to have Devine and Doran back. Hopefully they are fully fit for next Friday. Yes, there are an awful lot of negatives which we are rightly highlighting and discussing, particularly the 10 game winless run and some of our tactics, but I felt it worth taking a step back and looking at positives.

Shocking first 30 minutes but I thought we were much better in the second half but neither team was impressive and neither deserved to win it, but we had decent chances we could and should have taken. A draw was probably the fair result. MacKay was my pick as our best player with a couple of decent saves. A word for Hyde, though. Is he not a midfielder? He quietly coped at right back and Kennedy didn’t really trouble us. At least we showed some spirit and tried in the second half and seemed to want to win. Confidence is clearly an issue, which should be the focus for Dodds and the back room staff. That came across loud and clear until we got the break to equalise. We could easily be fourth at 1650 tomorrow. Edits: Watching the post match, we created enough chances to win several games. Confidence is clearly an issue but I can’t fault the second half effort. I agree with others: 10 without a win is not acceptable and puts everything in context. Decent interview by Pearson, and an honest assessment, including that he should have got a second. Worrying then to hear Dodds say that Welsh was asking what we need to do to win a game. If our senior players are lacking confidence, little wonder our younger players are.

Interesting snippet from commentators. When Deas got booked, they said he’s the most booked player in the Championship. How close to a suspension is he? Hardy on for Pearson.

Bang on cue Pearson misses a sitter! Then Hamilton hit the post. Its turned into a decent game.

What’s the story and value to the club?

Sutherland on for Doran. Maybe Doran not fully fit yet either? Goalie’s fingertips stopped Mckay scoring there after great kick out by MacKay.

Harper on for Devine. Devine’s had a decent game but presumably is not yet ready for 90 minutes. We’ve been better this half but need to ensure we don’t concede and hopefully nick a goal.

Shocking performance for the first 30 minutes or so and a stroke of luck got us back in it. We should have had a penalty for the challenge on Deas in the box but we scarcely deserve to be level. We have showed a few signs before half time that we can trouble Hamilton so we need them to come out fighting in the second half. This game is winnable but we could easily lose it. The next 45 are key to us in terms of this season. Hard to pick out players for praise. Definitely MacKay. Possibly Samuels and Pearson but neither looks comfortable tracking back. There is no point playing high balls. We need to get it wide and run at them if we want to win this. Surprisingly looking at the BBC stats, we’ve had more attempts in the first half.

VAR would have given us a penalty there.

Under the cosh again. Decent save by MacKay. We are scrappy and keep conceding free kicks. We need to calm it down and keep the ball.

Phew! Pearson: 1-1. We don’t deserve to be level, Tap in after great save after ball fell to Doran following build up play by Samuels.

1 down. It had been coming the way we’ve started. Another gift. Started with Samuels being skinned on the wing then McAlear failed to clear the ball with the Accies player pouncing with a decent finish.

Looks like 4 at the back with Hyde at right back. Samuels and Pearson wide with Doran supporting Mckay. Hope we don’t resort to long high balls tonight!

Unless commenting on our recent Friday night league record is a sign of optimism, I didn’t think my post was optimistic! More hopeful than anything….

Three at the back or Hyde at right back? Good to have Devine back. We need someone to keep Kennedy quiet whatever our formation is. What’s happened to Duffy and Chalmers: more injuries? Edit: listening to Dodds’ pre-match interview we have a couple of players isolating.

Didn’t manage to watch it but it sounds like we were unlucky judging by the comments above and this report: https://ictfc.com/match-report-hearts-u18s-2-1-ictfc-u18s Encouraging signs for the future.

Looking on the bright side, we have an excellent record when on TV on Friday evenings in the league. Hopefully that continues tomorrow and it kick starts us and our play off hopes. On the downside, it is hard to see where goals and a win will come from. I see this as possibly our last chance to arrest the slump in time to challenge realistically at the top. Can we do it? I hope so but I will be watching in hope rather than expectation. It will be a small crowd, but I hope our travelling fans are noisy and get something to celebrate and three points for the journey north.

Kieran Chalmers has moved from Strathspey to Clach.

Sorry to dampen the nostalgia, but some rose tinted glasses: that was one of the few bright spots in our relegation season. In so many ways, it was the start of the journey to where we are now and the issues we are debating on other threads right now.

Another for Dale Gillespie for Brora in the Highland League Cup tonight. They travelled to Brechin and win 2-0 with only 10 outfield players and an emergency loan goalkeeper. Some interesting comments from Brora fans on FitbaNorth who seemed pleased Meekings was not in their team, saying they are effectively a player short when he does play. It doesn’t sound a happy ship.

I’d take Neil McCann….

Sorry, no idea. I just picked the article up and posted it. I’ve not seen or heard anything.

All the best to the youngsters for Thursday night. If anyone is in the vicinity, entry is free: https://ictfc.com/scottish-youth-cup-semi-final

A welcome development by the club: https://ictfc.com/club-statement-thistle-girls-fc-officially-become-part-of-inverness-caledonian-thistle-wfc Now we’d all welcome a statement from the CEO about the situation with the club as a whole and the first team performance in particular.