Robert

So Samuels out for a month and MacGregor for a few weeks. That takes our injury count to Ram, Welsh, MacGregor, Walsh, Sutherland, Doran, Shaw and Samuels, unless Doran and Shaw have recovered. Devine is walking wounded. Have I missed anyone? Hopefully Devine is fit enough to start so Duffy can be right back and Carson in midfield. The injury list is horrendous but doesn't excuse our recent performances. Better please!

As always an excellent preview. For me, I’m hopeful we can turn things round but fearing the worst. Realistically a draw will be a good result and a win a pleasant surprise, but I think Raith will get their first 90 minute win over us in goodness knows how long. Come on ICT, prove me and all the other doubters wrong!

Our home game against Partick on 8 October has been moved to Friday 7 October to suit TV. The kick off is at 1945.

HT 1-0 FT 2-2 ICT Oakley Raith Connolly Crowd 1768

Montrose @ 1.70 please.

If you’ve lost your optimism Moog, it shows how poor we’ve been and the need for something to change before it’s too late for us to be in contention for anything positive this season.

Turns out Oakley was missing as he was suspended. Could they not have told us that in their preview? https://ictfc.com/match-report-motherwell-4-0-ictfc

Again from the BBC app, which reinforces feedback from those unlucky enough to have endured that tonight: Kevin van Veen scored a hat-trick as Motherwell breezed past Inverness Caledonian Thistle and into a Scottish League Cup quarter-final with Celtic. Dutch forward Van Veen gave the hosts an early lead and scored a penalty in each half as the hosts ran riot. An own goal from Inverness captain Daniel Devine for Motherwell's second summed up the Championship visitors' evening. Motherwell will now host the holders in a tie played from 18-20 October. The home side gave a debut to Ipswich loanee Matt Penney and he looked the part at left-back, getting a lot of joy down that side of the pitch. But Motherwell's opener came after great work on the right flank. Joe Efford produced the cut-back for Van Veen and the striker was unmarked to fire in his fifth goal of the season. More was to come from him. Not to be outdone on the other wing, Penney showed great pace as he burst forward. His cross was a good one and not dealt with at all well by Devine as he turned into his own net. It was so comfortable for Motherwell and the visitors had little answer to the home side's intensity and desire. A third goal was coming and it duly arrived before the break. Robbie Deas tripped Sean Goss and there was only one man who was going to take the penalty. Step forward Van Veen for his second goal. It was all but game over and Van Veen capped a great night with his third. His ball into the box hit the arm of David Carson and another spot-kick was the result. Van Veen netted again, to wrap up the win and claim the match ball. Motherwell looked for more goals, despite making a raft of changes - including a debut for 16-year-old Lennon Miller, son of former Aberdeen and Falkirk player Lee. Stuart McKinstry also made a first appearance, while Rolando Aarons made his second club debut after re-joining on loan from Huddersfield. Motherwell manager Steven Hammell: "We played with a style and a confidence that I enjoyed watching. Kevin van Veen's in a good place just now. When you see him standing over a penalty, you always fancy him. "If we want to be successful in this tournament, we're going to need to play some good teams. We've got a lot to do between now and then but when it comes, we'll be ready to get after it. Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Billy Dodds: "Motherwell were good but I think we can do things better. We were slack in a couple of the goals we gave away. We lost bad goals, it gave them a lift. "I thought we were unlucky for the [second] penalty. As much as Motherwell were good, they don't need a helping hand."

One bright spot on a dismal night. Robbie Thompson scored two for Clach to help them into the North of Scotland Cup final.

Wow, how did I end up at the top?

Last season six (I think) Championship clubs changed their Manager when things were not going right. Many have budgets as tight as ours. It comes down to ambition. If we just accept that we are where we are, we will drift. Teams with bigger resources than us have found they can’t survive the Championship: just look where Falkirk and Dunfermline are. We could easily be next. If we want to progress, we need to be brave and take some risks and face up to decisions that need to be taken. That is real life for the Board whether they like it or not. I’m not normally in the “change the Manager” camp but, as I said above, Saturday will put me in it if we lose to Raith.

Which would have paid a few bills!

4-0. Full time. Oh well. Maybe what we expected after recent events but we only had one attempt in the whole game. Some soul searching required by those in charge before this season becomes a write off or even a relegation battle.

Calum Mackay on for his brother. Throwing a kid in at 4-0 down?? Meanwhile Boyd has joined Deas and Ridgers in the ref’s book.

I hate to say it but if we lose at Raith on Saturday I will be joining the ranks of those calling for a change of Manager. Tonight is irrelevant in terms of importance, nice though cup runs are, but if we fall off the pace any further in the league that is a problem. We are too one dimensional and teams know how to play against us, and it is starting to be our downfall. I still think we’ve a decent squad that can challenge for promotion, but the tactics and formation have to be right. At present we are getting that wrong. I’m keen to hear what those there tonight think of how we’ve performed and about the motivation and body language of the players.

They deserve all the plaudits. Hopefully a few Forum members amongst them who can tell us how bad we’ve been and whether there is any scope for optimism.

An own goal and two penalties. Have we self destructed? Oh sorry, am I giving the Manager reasons to tell us it is not as bad as it clearly is? We’ve had 59% possession so far but only one attempt on goal! Shocking. Motherwell have only had seven attempts but have four goals. Hyde on for Devine.

4-0. Another Van Veen penalty after a handball by Carson. I’m glad I’m on the beers tonight!

Delaney on for MacGregor. Goodness knows what our formation is now! Deas or Delaney at left back and Harper in left midfield?

Copied from BBC Sport app: Motherwell are looking so comfortable in this League Cup tie. They are playing some lovely stuff, getting a lot of joy down either flanks. Debut boy Matt Penney looks like a valuable addition to the side and Kevin Van Veen, who's grabbed two goals, is also having a real influence on this game. Caley Thistle have offered very little so far. They've not been allowed to by a Motherwell side full of intent.

Welcome back No Shin Guards! We’ve missed your wit and sarcasm!!

Who wanted 9-0? Its 3-0 already. Van Veen penalty after foul by Harper.

Shaw replaced by Boyd due to an injury. That’s 8 injured now: Ram, Welsh, Walsh, Doran, Shaw, Oakley (we assume), Samuels and Sutherland. Plus Devine not fully fit. What’s going on? Shaw had our only attempt on goal in the first half hour too.

2-0. Own goal by Devine.

Van Veen has scored in the 9th minute. Oh dear. Here we go again?