Robert

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.

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.

This is being played for the first time in 18 years as we play Clach at Grant Street at 1930 on Tuesday 22 August.

In the Highland League on Saturday, another for Harry Hennem for Clach. Others were Andrew MacAskill for Buckie and Andrew MacRae for Brora.

I’m in the same situation as Fraz. I love live football and will continue to attend, and I like to attend other games locally sometimes (apart from County!) when Caley Thistle are away. I think the next month will be telling. We have Ayr and Airdrie away then Dunfermline at home. A team we normally do well against and the two promoted teams. We should be aiming for 9 points and no less than 7, and our fans should be able to feel confident that we can achieve that, but how many of us are? Like STFU I don’t blame the players and I will support and encourage them in every game I am at, even when they gift goals which we seem to have become adept at. What I don’t get is how we had a game plan against Celtic and our defending was solid. That game plan was not hoofball but designed to play to our strengths, and we got a better result than we all expected. Why then don’t we have a game plan that suits our strengths and targets the weaknesses of the opposition in every game, with a plan B (and C if necessary). If we can do it for “big” games, we should be able to do it for every game. I really hope that the dialogue between the ST and the club is constructive and meaningful following the survey and that the ST are able to get the valid concerns about communication and the scale of our non-playing costs across to those in charge. We could all agree to bombard the SLO with e-mails voicing our concerns, with follow ups in the event that no replies are received. Surely that would be noticed by the club???

I agree and hope we achieve that. I haven’t listened to his interviews for about a year. I go by Tm4tj’s previews and the chat on here!

I thought that was in, as did most fans and even the stand side linesman who was setting off to the halfway line. No surprise the linesman got it wrong as he missed almost all the shirt pulling that QP indulged in. The chance came just before we went two behind.

Highland League to follow but noted today: Jordan White for County. Steven Boyd for Morton. Jack Brown for Peterhead.

Harper, uncharacteristically. He should have done a simple pass back to Ridgers but hesitated and lost possession. That was a very disappointing afternoon. We started fast but from about the fifth minute Queens Park started to dominate possession and just seemed sharper than us. Both teams had chances before we gifted the goal. The early goal in the second half really killed it and we only started showing some urgency after Bray and Hyde replaced Gilmour and Longstaff. Davidson got what turned out to be a consolation. Both ‘keepers had good saves and on another day there would have been more goals. As others have said, Bray was the pick of the players, followed by Shaw, Mckay and Duffy. For me Samuels spent too much time on the deck after contact from QP players and whilst his pace is an asset I don’t think he’s the right option as a starter right now and he should be used as an impact player off the bench. I need to see more of Lodovica before forming an opinion on him. He’s a big lad and deceptively quick but the jury is out. I’m forming the opinion Carson is a better right back than central midfielder but that was maybe as we tended to be outnumbered so he was fighting an uphill battle. QP deserved the win but the ref should have stamped out the time wasting. How many times did they kick the ball away, get a second ball on the park or dawdle at kick outs? It’s not an excuse but the authorities should make refs clamp down on it. Our home form let us down last season and hopefully we don’t repeat that this year. Two big away games now in which we need to pick up points.

We are allowed 9 subs so I’d add Samuels and Ram.

It has been running, driven by a season ticket holder who parks it up during the game.

Thanks to all involved for this. I’ve only started reading it but it is a well presented and professional document. I hope the engagement with the club goes well and it will be good to receive frequent updates on how things are progressing.

Looking forward (I think) to the new league campaign. We want and need to get off to a flyer so here’s hoping! Thats not good news about MacGregor. Hopefully Welsh and Devine make it. Devine did look to be struggling in the cup games so maybe the injury explains that. If both make it I’d start with: Ridgers Carson Duffy Devine Harper Welsh Gilmour Longstaff Doran Shaw Mckay If Devine misses out, Delaney is a straight replacement. If Welsh misses out, I’d move Carson to midfield and bring Davidson in. Anyway, what do I know!!

I used to struggle for midweek games in my last job but decided to retain a ST as I had my own seat and knew those round about me. When things go to plan we’ve only one midweek home game, so it still works out as cheaper, but if we get a raft of postponements or games rescheduled due to cup games it does become more of an issue. At least the pitch is less prone to being waterlogged than it was a few years ago! I think it comes down to the club needing to recognise that each fan has different circumstances so the more flexibility made available the better their chances of attracting and retaining fans.

I doubt we sell many, if any, at full price given the loyalty and early bird prices. Anyone who has not bought one now is best to wait and get a half season ticket at Christmas whilst paying per match until then. I’m happy at the £18 I’m effectively paying per match for my seat.

I’ve played it the last two seasons, somehow winning it last season, and I’d urge more forum members to participate. It’s good fun and credit to Gringo and for keeping it running.

The first in the series was Adam Brooks:

Definitely! A great tribute to Billy is on this very site. Thanks Tm4tj.

Matthew Strachan has joined Brora on loan until January.

I’ve nothing to base this on but I’ve a sneaking suspicion we will finish 3rd behind Dundee United and Partick Thistle, with Ayr United completing the play off line up. That said one or more of the other six teams could easily upset that prediction! Hopefully we stay well away from the bottom of the table, where I think this could be the end of Arbroath’s time in the Championship.

The club has updated the squad numbers against the pictures on the website, although Longstaff and Lodovica are still to be added. Squad numbers are: 1. Ridgers 2. Duffy 3. Harper 4 Welsh 5. Delaney 6. Devine 7. Gilmour 8. Carson 9. Billy Mckay 10. Doran 11. Samuels 12. MacGregor 13. not used 14 Davidson 15. Ram 16. Hyde 17. Nicolson 18. Lodovica 19. Longstaff 20. not used 21. Cammy MacKay 22. Shaw 23. Cairns 24. Brooks 25. Calum Mackay 26. Strachan 27. Hennem 28. Bray 29. Thomson