Robert

HT 1-0 FT 3-1 ICT Billy Mckay Stirling Carrick Crowd 988

Manny Duku for York and two for Garry Wood for Inverurie today. Andrew MacAskill for Buckie midweek in the Aberdeenshire Shield. Last Saturday, Wood and MacAskill both scored in the Highland League Cup.

I took their appearance as a big positive that they wanted to play which I found reassuring after recent events. I assume the plan was for them to play for as long as they felt able to and then replace them. Devine did well but ran out of steam whilst it was not apparent that Welsh had an issue. I also thought Ram was struggling at one point in the first half but he ran it off. I’ve been critical and worried recently, and probably fuelled some of the speculation, but I take heart from the attitude and commitment everyone on the park showed, and am happy to give the backroom team the benefit of the doubt again. We are missing Deas, Delaney, Allardice, MacGregor, Mackay, Samuels, Walsh and Sutherland, with Devine and Welsh not fully fit. I’d imagine that, of the 8 who are out, Delaney, Deas, Allardice, Samuels and Sutherland would have been starters today, possibly also MacGregor and Mackay, so I just hope we start getting players back whilst we are still close to the top of the table. The cup weekend gives a bit of a breather but we then have in form Dundee in a fortnight.

That was much better. We had the beating of Ayr and could have been further ahead before they equalised. Shaw took his goals well, but both Ayr goals could have been stopped. Chalmers knew he had the beating of Harper and that created the first, whilst the second came from us dithering and getting caught out at the back. Carson and Welsh in midfield made us competitive, but we still played too many long high balls which simply gave up possession cheaply. I’m much more positive tonight as I saw desire and commitment from all 13 who played. I caught Dodds’ interview on Sportsound on my way home, and Devine would not normally have played as he is not fit yet, but he wanted to and was MoM for me. Welsh played with a bruised dead leg, and in normal times wouldn’t have started either. We could easily have won, we could easily have lost, but I will take the point. My belief is back that we will not be far away by the end of the season. Hopefully after the cup game we have some more players back.

I think we all approach it in hope rather than expectation, but it is time to show full support and encouragement to the 11 starters and whoever are on our bench (if anyone!).

Dumbarton @ 1.72 please.

HT 1-1 FT 2-1 ICT Billy Mckay Ayr Akinyemi Crowd 1967

If this article is correct, we will almost struggle to have a team on the pitch: up to 10 players out and recalling kids from the Highland League: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/5050351/injury-ravaged-caley-thistle-make-emergency-plea-to-bring-back-loanees-from-highland-league-clubs/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

I didn’t see Saturday’s game and I may miss the start this week as delivering furniture for my mother in law, but we need a good crowd to get behind the players from as soon as they come out of the tunnel. Hopefully Section 94 are there in numbers and make themselves heard and the drummer is in the North Stand. Some players are low on confidence, so it is time to get behind them rather than being critical. If we have any of our casualties back, that is a bonus. Any word on Devine, Allardice, MacGregor, Mackay or Samuels? Some of them can make a real difference if available. Similarly, hopefully Delaney has recovered from his knock. If there has been something wrong behind the scenes, hopefully it is sorted by now. I know many are dissatisfied with Dodds, and justifiably so, but this league is still there for the taking if we can get back on track. However, this is close to a must win game, it is certainly a must not lose game, as we don’t want to be 9 points off the pace at this stage.

The club’s report: https://ictfc.com/match-report-queens-park-2-1-ictfc-13-11-2022 And that of our “hosts”: https://queensparkfc.co.uk/queens-park-2-inverness-caley-thistle-1/ Our Manager’s thoughts: https://ictfc.com/match-reaction-billy-dodds-queens-park-2-1-ictfc-12-11-2022 Interesting assessment given we are the third lowest scorers in the league and have the third best defensive record. To me the issue is that we are not scoring enough, rather than being fragile.

I really hope it is untrue but comments from those who were at it or watched the stream of yesterday’s game are worrying if some players may not be giving 100%. Being pedantic, if there may have been a case to answer, suspension during any investigation would have to be with pay (innocent until proven guilty) and it is very possible that the club followed anything through that needed followed through before the next match. Personally, I think it’s just a case of Ridgers’ being felt to have had a dip in form but the way it was carried out in the Morton game, along with Dodds’ comments after the match, was very poor, and insulting to a player who has performed consistently well for us, gaining us many more points than he has cost us.

Noted yesterday: 2 for Shaun Rooney for Fleetwood 2 for Alex Fisher for Yeovil Lewis Jamieson for Airdrie Rory McAllister for Montrose Adam Rooney for Brackley (thanks Yngwie)

Has Dodds lost the dressing room, with some players not giving 100% as a result?

Wish I’d played a joker: the extra points would have cheered me up after another inept performance by the team!

A bad day for our former defensive stalwarts. Josh Meekings blasted a penalty over in the shoot out as Brora lost to Banks O’Dee on penalties in the HL Cup today.

Morale, confidence and motivation low?

Not going to be our night. 2-1 down. Drops us to 6th if we don’t turn it round with 2 points out of 15.

Ouch! 1-1.

Important half ahead. We need to win this.

Gary Warren sent off in Clach’s 4-0 defeat at Turriff in the Highland League Cup this afternoon.

Stirling @ 1.80 please.

HT 0-1 FT 1-2 ICT Billy Mckay QP Murray Crowd 604

I have been fortunate enough that a (Rangers supporting) acquaintance has given me a ball signed by our cup final squad that he has had for a few years. He didn’t realise the significance, but I pieced it together as fortunately many of the players added their squad numbers alongside their signatures, as otherwise I’d not have worked it out. It is safely out of reach of the grandkids but a great reminder of happy times. One day I will donate it to charity but for now I’m going to enjoy the memories it has provoked.

I see Queens Park have had some upcoming games moved back to Hampden due to the recurring issues over the timing of their fixtures.

We have speculated on recent events and what may, or may not, be happening off the pitch. I won’t identify my source, but I’ve been told that Ridgers punched Dodds at half time in the Morton game. The person who told me was convinced it was true, based on how he found out, but I obviously don’t know whether that is the case. If it is, it is a major concern. I really hope it is not and the whole thing has been blown out of proportion.