The Long Man

Whew, that was hard work. Raven was easily MOM, having supplied two great crosses before the third which Billy squeezed in. The Saints made it difficult, defending in numbers and easily cutting out our rather easily read passing/dithering game. Using the flank via Raven paid dividends by circumventing that. It was noticeable how better we were when Draper and Williams came on, and they should be on the team sheet if Watkins is still injured next week. In fact I would play Williams ahead of Christie, who is showing his youth and lack of experience in an ineffective role. Would be good to have Shinnie back at left back, if only to give us what Raven gave us, on the left flank. Then at least we have options to go round a defence like St Mirren's who pack the middle and edge of the box, where we can't get a break and just pass sideways. Very relieved to have the three points, though, and it keeps us right up there.

Great game, great atmosphere, great result. We were in a different class, passing and moving sweetly, their only response was obstruction, fouling and disruption. It could have been four or five. Back on track, a good morale booster. Watkins might struggle for Sunday with a heavy looking bruised leg. He was outstanding, the interplay at the front is great to watch.

Agree with much that has been said. Had Shinnie being playing left back, then there is every likelihood that goal wouldn't have been created. He still would have had opportunities to go forward if we have a midfielder who drops back to cover for him when he does so. I can see why Hughes wants to employ his ability more centrally, but it also unbalances the team. Many of the players didn't look that comfortable to me with their positions or where they were supposed to be - Ryan Christie looked lost at times, although you can forgive him his lack of experience, but he is too overhyped imho, which doesn't do him any favours - let him develop, but don't ask too much of him in a physical game like this. Watkins was disappointing, given his ability, but you have to say that Aberdeen were extremely well organised, committed and didn't let silly errors give chances away, like we did. That was the difference between the two teams for me, not individual abilities. As everybody says, why on earth did Hughes not change it around halfway through the second half, when you could see it wasn't working. Giving Sekajja a few minutes at the end is utterly pointless - we had a strong bench, and a match crying out for some strategic substitutions and change of tactics. All the time you felt we could get at least a draw with a little imagination and fresh legs.

Well, well. It seems we have signed young, former Crystal Palace striker, Ibra Sekajja http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Sekajja-agrees-terms-with-Caley-Thistle-06102014.htm Look forward to seeing him getting his scoring boots on

Terry Butcher talks to Danny Kelly about his career: Talksport now (10pm sunday). Might be interesting.

For a job?

Superb display. Our players looked comfortable and confident with the Hughes style, lot of good passing and possession. Watkins was absolutely outstanding and easily the crowd's choice for MotM. His trickery and creative opening up of the right flank was wonderful to watch, and created the goal. We could have finished two or three up, very heartening to see that we didn't try and sit on the lead, but kept taking the game to them. On this evidence we have every reason to look forward to a good season. I can't see any reason why we should fear any team in the league - rather the reverse.

Well, Caley were a local team. It's a pub parlour game now, and anyone can bandy their speculative figures around with little or no likelihood that there is any way of determining an answer. Personally I believe we lost maybe a couple of hundred or less, but whatever it was it has been more than made up by subsequent new supporters who wouldn't have been died-in-the-wool Caley fans anyway. So we lost some, but gained a lot more. I think it easy to mistake the depth of feeling of the refuseniks with the breadth of their support - a diehard minority who, incredibly, still harp on, having missed out on an incredible journey which many old Caley fans, who have swallowed their reservations, have thoroughly enjoyed. The success of ICT has just embittered a few Cassandras who have taken great pleasure in pronouncing the imminent demise of the team for a long time now. I also don't buy the attempt to round up their numbers by visiting the sins of the fathers on their sons, as if they can influence the next generation by harping on about the 'war'. It's a kind of reverse engineering to fight a battle that was lost long ago, and rewrite the script in favour of the underdog - not an unusual occupation in Scottish football!

"On a day of many memorable images, there was one that springs to mind. Minutes before the end of normal time, and with his side clinging to a 2-1 lead like a man hanging from a cliff-top, Butcher walked to the edge of his technical area and started flapping his arms madly, like a big old bird attempting to take flight. Flap, flap went Butcher and flap, flap went Butcher's players. Flap went his defenders as they hoofed the ball clear with the composure of men whose trousers were on fire. Flap went his midfielders and his strikers, devoid of confidence and any semblance of leadership. This has been the way of it all season. Those panic-struck moments were the year - the era - microcosm. A flapathon." Tom English from the BBC website.

Hilarious. I wonder how he will spin this one - blame the players again? And what budget is he expecting for the overhaul he has been touting now?His coat must be on a very shoogly peg. What are the odds of the sack, around November when Hibs are way off the top, while Hearts rebuild and do well? All your chickens have come home to roost now, Terry.

I think it's fair to say there was a weight of opinion which he couldn't ignore

Great win, fabulous Dorran goal, he reckons his best ever, a goal to grace any top level game. And great to see Billy back in action - he so deserved that lovely chip to go in at the end instead of rattling the crossbar. Should put everybody in good spirits.

Sums it up: http://nareystoepoker.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/hughes-and-ict-are-terrible-match.html

Yes, I agree. Hughes is, and has been, trying out different combinations of players and tactics. Hopefully this will stand us in good stead for the future, since we did become overdependent on one system, where the goals had dried up.

Half time: 0-0 Watkins chipped the keeper, but was cleared off the line by defender

BBC: The pace of the game at Tannadice is electric! Good football is at a premium, but after some controversial moments in recent games between the two this one is being played like a derby match.

Whoa there, cowboy. My original point was that comparing Hughes and Butcher at Hibs, Hughes so far came out better. Which I though was kinda funny. You immediately started comparing their records at their new clubs. Well, there are many ways you can slice the pie, but my gut feeling is that we would have had a dip with Butcher anyway, like we did last year. At any rate, turns out Butcher is not the messiah after all. Funny that. Here's some context from the BBC website: "Butcher is doing no better than his predecessor, Pat Fenlon. In fact, Hibs are going to need a storming finish to their season to get close to their points total from last year which was a disappointing 51. At the moment, Hibs are rooted on 34 with no chance of a cup final to soften the blow. Last season they won 36% of their matches in all competitions. This time that number has fallen to 28%. Grim, no matter how you slice it."

On results obviously, not on league positions.

Even for a man of Butcher's reputation, I found it surprising how he has publicly turned on his players. How he thinks that will help is anybody's guess, but it seems like a desperate attempt to get himself off the hook. Well, if he secretly casts envious glances back at the Highlands I won't feel any sympathy. Had the chance to be a legend, and walked out the door. Hibs are not going to be patient next season, when they expect big things. Who's Terry going to blame then? I see Yogi has a better record at Hibs than TB so far, and will do up to the end of the season!

Is Schadenfreude wrong? I think we are justified in light of the departure. Oh how droll to hear complaints of long ball tactics, blame the players publicly, ensuring they have no incentive for the rest of the season, and then take credit for ICT being top six. Promises of a new team in the summer - no pressure on Steve Marsella then. Next season if they are still floundering, which is very likely, TB will be lucky to keep his job. What a shame.

Well done, guys. Really useful to get some insight and communication from the manager. Changed days!

Terrific effort by the whole team. Considering the negative effects of the last 2 weeks, and the way we were written off, I thought we gave it our all, and you couldn't really ask for more. Well organised, and i thought we played the better football - though it didn't always come off we looked like a team with more ideas than Aberdeen, who seemed bereft of anything other than hopeful punts. A real shame when we had the momentum at the start of the second half that we couldn't make the breakthrough - just a little bit of guile or invention would have opened the door. Billy played his socks off, was shackled by two defenders most of the time, and will be black and blue tomorrow. Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, did us proud, penalties are always a lottery. Man of the Match Ross Draper says it all - he was immense. As were they all, you could see how drained they were by the end. Respect to you all.

Hughes - two 5 nils in a row - position untenable. Now what for next week against a high-flying Dons?

I would be happy to, but if it's a big Union Jack forget it. If you can't see the negative connotations of that I am very surprised, and disappointed. I would support a non-political flag which is positive and related to who we are. A Union Jack is none of those things, and sends entirely the wrong message to other people.

Fecking brilliant! the best team won, despite the incredible setbacks. Considering we beat Aberdeen a few weeks ago, nothing to fear now!