Robert

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.

Also on Saturday, in the Highland League, Ali Sutherland and Andrew MacRae for Brora, and two for Aiden Wilson for Rothes. Stuart Armstrong scored for Southampton on Sunday. Tonight, Logan Chalmers for Ayr and Jordan Roberts for Stevenage.

No, extra time then penalties this season (other than the Preliminary Round). Last time we played Stirling, they beat us on penalties in the League Cup…..

Ross Tokely is apparently moving from North Caledonian League team St Duthus, where he was coaching and seemingly still playing (certainly last season) to Nairn County. They’ve just appointed a new Manager so not sure in what capacity he is joining them. Does he still coach our youngsters?

I will take that: a home game we should win, and we’ve avoided Championship teams. They are top of League 2 so another team we should not under estimate.