Robert

Noted yesterday we’re Toddy for Airdrie, Logan Chalmers for Ayr and George Oakley with a hat trick for Morton.

David Wotherspoon was seen at Dundee United’s training camp at St Andrews yesterday. It’s not a done deal yet apparently as they need to offload Cudjoe but terms are seemingly agreed.

Thanks for the detailed comments. I was out today after kick off and unable to check my phone as it pinged with each goal as I’d have been thumped by my better half for being rude in company, so imagine my delight to see we’d won 3-1 rather than being on the end of a beating. It really sounds as though we’ve stepped up on performance, but we still need to get our shooting boots on when close to goal. I’m pleased for Harper creating two goals. That can only help him grow in confidence. Maybe 3 at the back works for us after all, at least away from home. As Satan said, a strange set of results today. United will be smarting after getting beaten at home but we’ve already matched them this season and with the cameras in town it’s time to put in a brilliant home performance. Well done guys!

Billy Mckay still captain despite Sean Welsh starting. A bit surprised Ujdur is just on the bench.

It finished Queens Park 2-1 Dunfermline. It simply increases the importance of us getting a positive result tomorrow.

Queens Park currently leading against Dunfermline. As things stand we are one point off the bottom.

Good to see the Manager and one of the players interviewed on Reporting Scotland who featured Sunday’s game against Rangers in the Cup. It will be a tough game for them with Rangers one of the top three teams and two leagues above us. Hopefully they attract a good crowd. Admission is by donation. More details here: https://ictfc.com/matchday-info-ictwfc-v-rangers-wfc-07-01-2024/ https://ictfc.com/ictwfc-v-rangers-wfc-karen-mason-preview/

Tomorrow’s is (another) big game. A win takes us above Ayr and gives us a bit of relief in our relegation fight before our games against Dundee United and Raith. A draw leaves us treading water but at risk of losing ground when we play the two leaders. A defeat cements our relegation struggle. We need to show more intent in front of goal, and have a shoot on sight policy. The tippy tappy shirt passing stuff we play in the final third is not working so let’s trouble their defence and goalie and look for a win. That said, I’m very nervous about the game.

You’ll need to go to one of their gigs then……

Another one worth looking out for is Torridon, very akin to Skippinish, Skerryvore and Tide Lines. Even I can overlook the Rossshire background (and County support) of most of them (2 from Maryburgh and 1 each from Beauly and Kiltarlity). At least one is from Balloch to balance things a bit, with the drummer an interloper from Glasgow. Lighthouse and Highland Girl are two favourites of my wife and I.

Or even try their Irish cousins, The Mary Wallopers, who featured on Jools Holland’s Hogmanay programme…..

Elgin @ 2.70 please.

Try watching the two Alba programmes: you may be pleasantly surprised.

HT 0-1 FT 1-2 ICT Billy Mckay Ayr Dowds Crowd 1946

I get the doom and gloom, and have been critical of our recent performances. But let’s turn the clock back to 26 September. We were bottom of the league with 1 point from 6 games and had failed miserably in the League Cup and Challenge Cup. Fast forward to 3 January. We’ve climbed to 8th place and have 18 points from 19 games, with Big Dunc having got 17 points from 13 games. There is progress, but not as much as we’d all have liked, but where would we be now if we’d not brought him in? This season is now all about survival in this league and hopefully laying foundations for a successful 2024/25 campaign. A bit of a run in the Scottish Cup would be a welcome bonus. We need to see who we can bring in this month and the impact they have. We may see some players depart and probably a lot will leave in the summer with a large part of the squad out of contract then. We will start to see what the Manager can bring to the club as the squad changes and hopefully we see enough positive signs to give us confidence we are on the right lines, and that we can build a competitive squad during the close season. It is early days but we also need to see improved performances on the pitch, much more intent when attacking, and good results that ease the current relegation worries.

The Peat and Diesel programmes were very good fun.

I had a look on the Companies House site and he resigned on 23 December. Full list of current Directors here: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC149117/officers

Looking at our squad and likely starters, Carson is the most vocal and tries to motivate others. Devine is probably next. I like Welsh but he comes across as quite quiet on and off the park, and it is hard for a goalie or striker to be captain as they are not close to a lot of the action areas. Assuming there are no issues behind the scenes around the captaincy (I had assumed Mckay was simply standing in due to Welsh’s absence, whilst Devine seemed next in line if neither Welsh nor Mckay was starting) I’d give the position to Carson.

Wotherspoon’s contract expires in mid January (the 14th has been mentioned) so it is likely Sheridan’s is the same. It is notable he has not got on the pitch in recent matches so it looks like he will be away when the contract expires.

Andrew Shinnie for Livingston (brother Graeme had one disallowed for Aberdeen) and Nikolay Todorov for Airdrie today.

I had family duties today so thankfully didn’t sign up for the livestream as it sounds like it would have been a hard watch. We are in a relegation fight now with Ayr, Arbroath and Queens Park and really can’t afford to lose at Ayr on Saturday. When I saw the line up, I was glad to see Welsh back in but I see he was hooked at half time: did he seem fully fit? I know Mckay has worked his socks off all season but we really should have started with him. To have only one attempt all game is pathetic. I see Devine was missing: is he another injury casualty? Two points out of fifteen…..

Can I change my scorers and booking please: ICT Shaw Airdrie Todorov Yellow Duffy Thanks.

Good to see Welsh starting and Doran on the bench. Shaw up front? Looks a team that’s resigned not to lose (hopefully) rather than one that is setting out to win.

Shaun Rooney for Fleetwood Town today.

Two great performances by Scottish bands tonight. Tide Lines rocked it on BBC Alba and Skerryvore were as good on BBC Scotland. We’ve also watched both episodes of the Hoolie on BBC Alba tonight with great tributes to Runrig from those involved. Makes you proud to be Scottish.