Robert

Yesterday, Jordan White for County, Lewis Jamieson for Airdrie and Jordan Roberts (who also got sent off) for Stevenage. In the Highland League, Anthony McDonald and Kevin McHattie (another screamer apparently) for Brechin, Andrew MacRae and Ali Sutherland for Brora, and Andrew MacAskill for Buckie.

Delaney is a better left back than Harper, who seems to be revelling in the midfield role. I can see him settling into a left sided attacking role once we have more options available to us. I agree we need bite in midfield. Welsh being back is helping but we are really missing Allardice. Some updates from the club about how long players will be out for would be helpful.

I thought we were much better today than last week and created plenty chances, and should have taken several of them, with at least four decent saves from the Arbroath ‘keeper and several cases in the first half when players passed rather than taking good shooting opportunities. We had 9 attempts on target out of 14 in total and on a different day would (and should) have won that comfortably. When we went in front it was in a spell when we were totally dominant, but an error by Carson gifted Arbroath the equaliser and thereafter they pressed us back a bit. I don’t know if we have a problem off the park (hopefully not and it is just that Ridgers’ form has dropped a bit) but I thought we had several key players who were low on confidence in the first half which meant they did not take shots on, with Mckay and Doran standing out for me in that regard. With the ball skidding off the pitch the way it was, it was a game calling out for shots on goal. Mckay had two goal bound headers saved well, Duffy had one saved and I’ve no idea how the ‘goalie kept another goal bound effort out. With 8 players out and only 2 points out of the last 12, we are only 3 points off the top, so if we can get players back and / or start taking our chances, we can still be right in contention. Everyone else is slipping up too, which is helping us. MacKay had no chance with the goal or the one that hit the post, and there was less route 1 from him. Other than Carson’s mistake, the defence was pretty secure, with Duffy starting a few forward moves whilst Delaney continues to catch the eye. Welsh was more like his old self, whilst I didn’t realise Scott Allan was on the park until he was hooked. Harper was looking to get shots away, but not his best game this season. Shaw had probably his best game for us and followed in well for the goal. Doran sometimes did take players on but seemed a bit shot shy. Mckay worked hard and could have had a hat trick but seemed reluctant to shoot in the first half. Oakley did what Oakley does but strayed offside too often. To sum up, better but still not good enough, but we are in touch and should be capable of climbing the league. Shooting practice is needed before next Saturday’s game.

It could be but have we got things sorted off the park and got the players available who can get us the win?

And a decent goal too, dispossessing the defender, running forward and putting it between the goalie’s legs. Play we all knew he was capable of, but seldom managed to deliver in practice unfortunately. I’ve no idea how much game time he’s had this season but the BBC say it is only his second goal. On Wednesday in the Highland League, Andrew MacAskill for Buckie and Aidan Wilson for Rothes.

Last three have ended 0-0 but….. HT 1-0 FT 2-1 ICT Billy Mckay Arbroath Linn Crowd 2106

FC Edinburgh @ 2.80 please.

Yes, first visit and well worth a visit. We only did half of it in four hours.

A bit off topic for an Olde Inverness topic, but enjoyed journeys on these today. I won’t say where but it won’t be hard to work out I’m sure!

Imagine if QP get promoted and are still ground sharing next season. I’m sure the first time the Ugly Sisters are due to visit, no one will care that Stenhousemuir or Sygenta games have to be changed to accommodate them. In fact, I’d be surprised if they don’t suddenly get priority on all match times.

Other clashes have been resolved by Queens Park playing on the Friday evening, so that was probably assumed to be the outcome. It looks like we voiced concerns about the impact that the suggested change would have on fans travelling down from Inverness and this is the compromise. The club statement is here: https://ictfc.com/kick-off-time-change-queens-park-v-ictfc-12-11-2022

The kick off time has changed to 1730 due to Stenhousemuir also playing at Ochilview that day (to East Fife if anyone wants a double header) and getting priority as it is their ground.

Jordan White for County on Sunday.

Not sure what’s happened but Boden is now with Buxton. Possibly on loan?

Reflecting on where we are this season so far. Injuries haven’t helped us and we’ve been woefully inconsistent. Last season no one beat us in the normal league season by more than one goal. This season we’ve been battered 4-1 and 4-0 already. We are struggling in front of goal. That is not a recipe for success but somehow we remain in touch at the top so if we can sort the issues out we can still win the league or get in the play offs. Equally we could easily find ourselves in a battle at the bottom. Whatever is going on between Dodds and Ridgers needs sorted. MacKay is a decent stand in but Ridgers is our best ‘keeper and has done little wrong. About last night, we left the centre halves exposed too often. Ram is young and a prospect but needs experience alongside him. Duffy is not used to playing on the left side of the pairing so was unable to give him the guidance. With our midfield issues and the benefit of hindsight, we’d have been tighter and more competitive with Carson alongside Welsh in midfield and a back four of Duffy, Ram, Delaney and Harper. I’ve said before that our formation leaves us light in midfield. We need to consider playing 4 5 1 which can switch easily to 4 3 3 when we are attacking. I’m a great fan of Mckay and he’s been one of our best players again this season but he’s often coming deep to try to influence the game when he’s best as an out and out striker. Oakley has his strengths but the front two pairing is not working. Boyd, ignoring his wayward shots, tries to be positive so dropping him into the midfield trio and tasking him to get up in support of Mckay could be effective. Doran could also play that role leaving Boyd wide. Then have two wide players to get forward and track back: Boyd or Doran and Shaw if we are working with players available last night, but hopefully Samuels this week. That would give us a starting line up next week of (if we don’t have any new injuries or players back): Ridgers Duffy Ram Delaney Harper Samuels Carson Doran Welsh Boyd Mckay Just my thoughts and probably very wide of the mark, but we need to play to the strengths of the players we have available, whilst tightening things up and having a threat up front.

Three scorers in League 1 today. A hat trick for Lewis Jamieson for Airdrie today, Toddy scored again for Dunfermline, and Jack Brown scored for Peterhead. In the Highland League, two for Andrew MacRae and one for Dale Gillespie for Brora against Inverurie, with Garry Wood scoring for Inverurie. Down south, Shaun Rooney scored for Fleetwood and Alex Fisher scored for Yeovil. On Wednesday Scott Boden scored for Buxton. He also got two in the FA Cup on 15 October.

And we no longer have the best defensive record to counter our lack of goals after last night’s debacle. No interview (yet at least) in the club’s report: https://ictfc.com/report-morton-4-0-ictfc-28-10-2022

Interviewer: “You made a goalkeeping change at half time. Why was that?”. Dodds: “That will remain private”. Enough said. We have a problem.

4-0. No complaints really but 3 of them self inflicted. We’ve really missed the likes of Deas, Devine and Allardice tonight but we’ve simply been outplayed.

Ridgers hooked. That worries me as he’s been great for us. Yes, he’s not been his best tonight but what will this do for team morale. Coming after the alleged bust up on Saturday, what is going on?

Definitely. Possibly Duffy and Ram at centre half so Delaney can continue at left back. Good to have Welsh starting so some experience in the middle. Samuels on the bench is positive as his pace could be handy late on.

Stirling @ 1.66 please.

HT 0-1 FT 1-2 ICT Billy Mckay Morton Muirhead Crowd 1475

He also had one break forward and a decent cross. Personally I think it is too early to make him first pick at left back. It depends on how long Duffy and Devine are going to be out for, as we need Delaney at centre half until at least one of them is back. Harper is an obvious option, but that depends on how our midfield injuries are looking. We also have Lewis Nicolson on loan at Elgin, who looks a great prospect, so maybe need to recall him.

It’s so tight again at this point this season. With our injury woes, it’s remarkable we are joint top and I really hope the players go to Greenock and win on Friday to put us top again. Is there any word on Duffy, Devine, Allardice, MacGregor, Mackay or Samuels and when we may see them again? It would be good to have some of them back for Friday.