Robert

Details of tomorrow’s game: https://ictfc.com/nairn-county-a-friendly-info-11-07-2023/

With them being at a low level, he’s maybe got an agreement that they won’t stand in his way if a better team comes in for him. That’s if it is him of course. The link I posted in the squad update thread says he’s a midfielder but the number 18 was a striker yesterday.

For completeness our formations: First half: Ridgers Davidson Devine Delaney Harper Welsh Gilmour Hennem Thomson Doran Samuels with Samuels and Hennem switching roles at times. Second half: MacKay Carson Duffy Strachan Nicolson Shaw MacGregor Bray Cairns Mckay Trialist with Shaw and Cairns switching part way through the half and Carson and Bray also switching. Nixon then came on for Bray at right back. Ram did not feature. I assume he’s still with us but he must still be carrying his injury from last season.

I should also mention that Doran had a good game. He was positive and seemed more confident in his pace, taking defenders on a couple of times whilst his lob was a cool finish.

Found this link which shows his career history bouncing around lower league clubs: https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/harry-lodovica

Yes in the first half. Carson and Nicolson were full backs after the break but Carson moved into midfield with Bray at right back prior to Bray being replaced by Nixon late on. Samuels started as striker but he and Hennem were swapping roles at times in the first half. Hennem started wide right. Doran was on the left with Thomson no 10. After the break, we were mainly 4 4 2 with Mckay and the trialist up front and Shaw and Cairns wide. Shaw started on the right with Cairns on the left but they switched part was through the half. All the youngsters acquitted themselves well.

From the interview, is he no longer with us?

Apologies if I was disrespectful in any way to the player. I was typing quickly whilst at the match so if I failed to be politically correct it was an oversight.

Enjoyable enough afternoon. After the flurry of early goals, the game settled down to really be a training session for us after the first half water break. Doran opened the scoring with a long distance lob over the goalie before Cameron equalised. It all stemmed from a slack pass back by Devine which went for a corner. Samuels restored the lead after a nice move and made it comfortable before the break after another good spell of fast play. In the second half we started positively with some eager play by the youngsters. Mckay got the fourth after more decent build up play. Our trialist was a big forward who was more than a match for Draper physically and had a goal disallowed for offside. He was working hard and seemed quite pacy but it is hard to tell if he is what we need. In the first half, Gilmour and Thomson were the picks for me, plus Samuels for his goals. Davidson was steady whilst Brooks was not in the squad. After the break, Nicolson, Cairns, Strachan and Bray all looked comfortable. MacGregor’s movement and work rate were very good. For their first outing, albeit against a poor Elgin team, it was encouraging. The crowd was announced as 1040 which was very credible. Draper hasn’t changed. He had some meaty challenges which would have attracted cards in a competitive match! That said, he still looks a decent player.

Half time 3-1. Doran scored then Cameron equalised before two from Samuels. Looks like 11 changes will be made at the break. Quite comfortable other than a couple of slack moments. Some robust challenges by Draper: nothing changes! Gilmour looks good. Saw less of Davidson. Of the others, Doran and Thomson the picks for me. Crowd announced as over 1000.

Brooks was wearing 24 when presented to the fans. We have a large coloured player amongst the subs.

Is he the trialist wearing 18 today? It looks like Walsh is away. His photo has gone from the wall next to the kiosk in the main stand.

Some on here may adopt that as their slogan if the team does badly!!

I’m planning the game tomorrow. Do they publish team lines for friendlies and have them available in the shop? Presumably any trialists will just be listed as trialists so unless anyone recognises any we will be none the wiser. Anyone else planning it?

Hopefully it comes with a larger cheque!!

Tickets now on sale: £15 for each of our home games and Main Stand only: https://ictfc.com/viaplay-cup-group-stage-home-matches-cup-on-sale/

Sounds promising: how tall is he?? On our U18s, several got game time last season: Bray, Mackay and Strachan, who were all signed on pro contracts. I’d imagine they may go out on loan until January as those a year ahead of them did last season (Cairns, Hennem, Nicolson and Thomson). Hopefully some of the latter group make real break through a this season. I’d be surprised if Nicolson doesn’t become a regular from what I’ve seen of him.

I called at the stadium earlier. The helpful young lady advised that they were being posted out yesterday or today so hopefully those of us waiting receive them very soon.

Elgin have played four matches already, losing to Forres, beating Rothes, then losing to both Huntly and Banks O’Dee so they’ve done poorly so far. I know these games are about fitness and getting game time for players, and maybe seeing some trialists in action, but we ought to win comfortably.

Voting closes on Friday. We have three goals on the list: Billy Mckay against Livingston and Falkirk and Sean Welsh against Kilmarnock. Vote here: https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish-cup/goal-of-the-round-vote/

A great decision by the club. Pre season friendlies attract little interest so hopefully this encourages a decent number to attend.

For the Board, for the players or for us fans??

Thanks for the link OCG, this bit is particularly interesting: ”The SLO role requires clubs participating in UEFA competitions to appoint a full-time member of staff to work and engage with supporters, acting as a key point of contact.” I don’t see how we comply with that when the SLO is a Director who, I’m pretty certain, does not work full time for the club.

If they do look, why do they ignore the clear concerns being voiced and the sentiments expressed?

That’s a relief. I just thought you were trying to be controversial!!