Robert

Ram back on but Shaw replacing Mackay who pulled up injured in an attack. We’ve shown plenty effort but don’t look like getting back in it.

Mckay on for Doran. Not sure how long Ram will last as off for treatment.

If he’s fit enough, I’d get Welsh on ASAP along with Mckay.

Plenty huffing and puffing but we’ve not tested them and can’t complain about being behind. Their passing and movement are sharper and quicker than ours. A much better performance is needed in the second half if we are to get anything out of this.

Torn apart for that goal. Second best so far.

Duffy injured in warm up so Ram starting. Hyde and Harper in central midfield: just hope they can combat Accies’ midfield. Mckay just on bench. Perfect conditions for football tonight: set and calm, and the pitch looks excellent. Three points please!

They beat us home and away last season which should act as a reminder that we need to be at the top of our game. Hopefully with the schools off there will be a good crowd and also Section 94 will hopefully have a good turn out to give some atmosphere.

HT 1-0 FT 2-0 ICT Oakley Accies Ryan Crowd 1997

Thanks as always Tm4tj, the stats are fascinating as always and highlight why we must not be complacent about tomorrow evening’s game. It is one we rightly expect to win, but the full team will need to show the same attitude and commitment as in the last home game against Partick. Zanatta has caused us problems before so whichever of Carson and Duffy plays at right back will need to be switched on. It’s not time for another Dodds right back experiment against a player like him. I’m looking forward to it as I always enjoy evening games under the floodlights.

And this from Cove: https://coverangersfc.com/2022/10/15/caley-thistle-grind-out-win-at-balmoral/

The club’s report and interview with the Manager: https://ictfc.com/match-report-cove-rangers-0-1-ictfc-15-10-2022

A lot in the Highland League today: Anthony McDonald for Brechin. Andy MacRae (3) for Brora. Andrew MacAskill (2) for Buckie. Ethan Cairns for Forres. Matheus Machado (2) for Rothes. Elsewhere Nat Wedderburn scored for Stenhousemuir.

On Sportsound Dodds indicated we won’t have Allardice and MacGregor for Tuesday which is a blow. Carson to midfield, Duffy to right back and Ram starting would make sense, with Doran in the no 10 role. I wonder how close Devine, Welsh and Samuels are to being ready to return and whether it is still the new year before we can expect to see Sutherland and Walsh. Seven injuries is a lot but seems to be a recurring issue for us. Our squad depth seems pretty good to combat the injury list though (despite what we thought against Brechin a few weeks ago!).

Had a text from a friend who’s a Cove fan and was at the game. He is very bitter and blaming the officials. In his view, Cove’s “goal” should not have been disallowed for offside, whilst the sending off was deserved but one of our players threw the first punch. If we did get the benefit of a dodgy decision, it makes a change!!

Job done and a 1-0 win. Still joint top and five wins on the spin, with the chance of going top on Tuesday. Late bookings for Oakley and Harper whilst Cove had a player sent off in stoppage time. Roll on Tuesday!

Shaw on for Boyd late on.

About 10 to play. Oakley has replaced Mckay. Hyde replaced Allardice at half time: another injury? Doran and Deas have picked up bookings this half.

Half time: Cove 0-1 ICT. From the BBC app, 59% possession for Cove but we have had 4 attempts to their 1, with the goal the only attempt on target. An eventful half for Boyd as he also got booked. Hopefully those at the game can give an indication if the issue with MacGregor having to go off injured.

1 up. Steven Boyd. Worrying MacGregor replaced by Doran due to an injury. Hopefully not serious.

Unchanged team and bench: https://twitter.com/ICTFC/status/1581270035317764096/photo/1

With last night’s draw, a very unlikely series of results would see a six way tie at the top. It will happen if Cove, Dundee, Hamilton and Morton all win today. As long as Cove lose, I’ll be happy!

A winnable game against, but Cove beat Dundee in their last home game so no room for complacency. If we show the same attitude and desire as we did last week, we should keep our run going and bring the points back along the A96.

HT 0-1 FT 0-2 ICT Billy Mckay Cove Megginson Crowd 815

Elgin @ 2.15 please.

It’s not due to a strike this time. There are no trains between Inverness and Elgin for a couple of weeks due to work at the new Dalcross Station. I think there may be rail replacement coaches but not certain of that.