Robert

Notwithstanding our concerns with the CEO, Sporting Director, Manager and coaches, I’ve been considering how we could turn things round on the park if there was the appetite to change our approach. We have some decent players at Championship level but are not getting the best out of them. Despite our defensive frailties which have cost us in several games already, we’ve stuck with four at the back despite wanting our full backs to get forward. That’s leaving us short of numbers at the back whenever we (frequently) lose possession. Davidson and Harper are both capable going forward, so to tighten things up I suggest we go 3 5 2 with two wing backs in the 5. We’d need Duffy or Ram back to be able to do it, and it also gives us the added benefit of 3 in central midfield where we have been getting outnumbered. The only downside I can see is how we fit Shaw in, given he’s been our best performer in several of the games but his pace with Mckay in the front 2 could work well. Looking at the line ups in today’s top flight matches, 5 teams have gone with 3 at the back, with only Celtic starting with 4. Any other thoughts?

Fair enough.

With Arbroath - Queens Park being pulled forward from Halloween to next Saturday, will it be opened up for predictions?

Watched the highlights. Slack marking at the Ayr goal cost us.

It worked fine for me this morning going on through the menu, then features, then prediction league. Thanks for your help.

I’m not a mod, The CEO is fair game for criticism. Ultimately the buck stops with the Board and him. I’ve never seen or heard him referred to as Scotty.

The club’s report: https://ictfc.com/match-report-ayr-united-v-ictfc-12-08-2023/

Not being obtuse. On this site in my opinion there is only one Scotty. I suggest you change Scotty to Gardiner. I read the title in disbelief then only understood the target when I read the post, same as Mantis.

I’d change the title….. When I saw it I thought you were referring to the owner of this site……

He’s got a groin injury (from Tm4tj’s excellent preview).

At least I’ve given some light relief!

Corrected! I did mention Covid brain fog earlier in this thread! That’s my only excuse!! I look forward to hearing from those at the game how we played and what our tactics were.

Full time 1-0. Two games, two defeats, joint bottom of the league, six points off the pace.

Doran on for Longstaff. Last throw of the dice.

Lodovica on for Bray. Hoofball time presumably (if we’ve not being doing that all game). Shaw has hit the post.

Half time 1-0. Delaney and Longstaff booked. Six attempts, three on target but no idea how our performance has been. We need to turn this round after the break!

Gilmour, Bray and Carson have all had efforts saved.

Ayr 1 up. Back on the squad, we could have put the three Academy graduates signed this week on the bench to give them match day experience.

Starting line up: Ridgers Davidson Devine Delaney Harper Carson Bray Gilmour Longstaff Mckay Shaw Subs: MacKay, Doran, Hyde, Lodovica, Brooks, Thomson No Duffy, Ram or Samuels in addition to those we knew were injured. If they are injured, that means we already have Duffy, Welsh, Samuels, MacGregor, Ram, Nicolson and Calum Mackay out injured. Given how Dodds was saying how we’d see a different Doran this season and how much fitter and faster he looked against Bonnyrigg, I’m amazed he’s not starting.

James Vincent is now a youth coach at Stockport County. Miles Storey is now with Curzon Ashton. Manny Duku is now in Gibraltar with Manchester 62. Tobi Sho-Silva is now with Maidenhead.

We got six points at Ayr last season. They also lost last week so it is two teams trying to kickstart their league campaigns. Ayr have lost their talisman in Akinyemni. This should be a winnable game but will it be? At worst it is a game we really must not lose as a losing run sets the tone for the season. We have already lost four in a row in all competitions and need to break that before we are on a losing league run. A big 90 minutes ahead, even this early in the season. However, despite the pessimism, possibly as my brain is clouded by Covid just now, I’ve a sneaking suspicion we will get all three points.

Three of our youngsters have signed two year deals: Sam Nixon, Calum MacLeod and Jack Walker: https://ictfc.com/three-ictfc-academy-graduates-sign-deals/ Nixon appeared as a trialist off the bench in the Elgin friendly.

Maybe my glass is half full rather than half empty but….. HT 0-1 FT 1-2 ICT Billy Mckay Ayr Bryden Crowd 1906

Two penalties scored in EFL shoot outs last night, with both on the winning side: Reece McAleer for Tranmere and Jordan Roberts for Stevenage.

Well said in both posts Scotty. I wholeheartedly agree with your comments.