The Long Man

That was very late, I expect the team had already travelled. Could they really not tell this morning before we set off? Very poor.

It's that lucky pink strip again. The most distinctive one in the division. Because we're different. Class. 

With the four teams below us playing each other, and thus taking points off each other, a golden chance to get three points and gain some ground on them.

I would have thought a replacement for Gardyne will be fairly high up the list.

Great result, strong performance, perseverance rewarded. Great work by Allardice before passing to Welsh. I expected a behind the sofa ending, but we saw it out coolly and confidently, and could have scored another. This league is so competitive it will be an exciting, nerve shredding season. But on the evidence tonight we are up there on merit and can give a game to anybody.  Doddsy saying he expects to do business in the transfer market in January. Striker top of the shopping list?

Ian McCall:

“We had our goalie to thank for it finishing 0-0. It all comes down to the penalty save, it was outstanding.

“In the first half they hit the bar and the post but we had two really good chances as well. I thought they were better and if any team deserved to win it was them but our goalie makes a great save. We’re now five unbeaten but we need to turn a draw into a win.”

Billy Dodds:

“I thought we played our best game of the season today,” beamed Inverness manager Billy Dodds at full-time. “I thought we were magnificent.

“The pitch wasn’t its most playable but my team, my word – that’s the best we’ve played all season.

“We created so many chances. How we’ve not won the game, I don’t know.”

Fair comments.

Superb response after going behind. What a start to the season.

Out, but with our heads held high. Great effort, lads, so very close.

Now, with that performance, we can go for the play offs in good heart, knowing how good we are.

Sutherland on for Toddy. Extra time looms.

The woodwork has been busy this match. 

Would love to sneak this before extra time, when they have no time to reply.

Toddy great strike, well saved, and then Allen hitting the post. We are giving it a great go. St Mirren might have underestimated us. Great to see us playing good football and showing what we are capable of.

This seems to me a deliberate spoiling motion, aimed at the hearing on Thursday. IMHO it is designed to plant suspicion in the tribunal that there were two sides to the aggravation, with both guilty of abuse. That will be borne out if Davidson's defence on Thursday is that Todorov provoked him by saying unpleasant things, or something similar. Since there is no evidence that we know of for such a claim, the opposite of Todorov's case against him, it smacks of excessive opportunism and a very cynical ploy. I hope it increases his punishment. Maybe his lawyer cooked it up. Desperate, and very unpleasant, stuff. What of course we don't want is it to affect Toddy's form.  

Well, we do have some connections with them...

1 hour ago, Robert said:

Given the importance of the league games, it wouldn’t surprise me if some players are rested against St Mirren to ensure they are available for Dundee.

With most of the squad fit, it makes sense to take advantage of it. 

It will be an interesting managerial decision, not an easy one.

There are so many permutations, it is nigh impossible to figure it out. With three tough games in a week for us it is a steep ask. But i am also convinced the others will drop points along the way.

So what's the bet it all goes down to the last day. We will need three points, and also rely on other results going our way....

It's that close.

I think it will all hinge on the Dundee game myself. That will be a cracker of a match.

When you look at that week, we have St Mirren, Dundee, Hearts. A really testing week which will decide our season.

But what have we got to lose? We can give it a good go. Only reservation is if the St Mirren game gives us heavy legs on Tuesday night. 

Well, it's all speculation obviously, but if you factor in Hearts away as being a possible defeat, then the other three games are massive, but particularly the Dundee game which could be decisive. I am convinced, though, that the others will drop points so there will be a window we can squeeze through if we play to our best. Whatever happens, I will be happy with the way we have finished the season, in view of what most of it has been like. So it is all a bonus as far as I am concerned. But if we make the play offs then I think we have as good a chance as any of the others.

Interesting, Robert. As we know from this league, there will plenty of ups and downs to come yet, so I wouldn't get too despondent if we slip up here and there, because so will the others. But no doubt we are in a very good position with our current form. Should be a fun ride.

Well, our number 77 (what? there's another 76 players in the squad?) has outdone himself, two great goals, and a lovely curler from MacKay. How will we keep the predators away from him?

Great interview with McCann afterwards too.

Come on, guys, if the team is firing on all cylinders, no reason to go for it in both competitions. Anyway, being realistic, St Mirren is a long shot. 

What wonderful timing for the team to be gelling. Scoring spread across the forwards with two assists from Sutherland is very healthy. Hats off to McCann and Dodds who must take some credit for this.

Oh, and have to mention - McCann's game management was spot on. Bringing on attacking subs when we might have tried to see a 2-1 out worked a treat. Plaudits all round - team and management.

Well, the morning after such a classic is always sweet. Much to replay in the mind, and savour. Overall, you have to say it was a team performance, where everybody knew their jobs and passed to each other with confidence. What a contrast to a few months ago. Confidence and a well drilled shape has transformed us, let's hope it last for the rest of the season. Lots of highlights, particularly MacKay's solo, but I also really enjoyed Allardyce's long ball, MacGregor's wizardry, only to be foiled by a block, but it was a sweet move worthy of any top level game.

If we can retain that standard we may well be in for an exciting finish to the season. What are the chances of meeting County in the play-offs? 

Quote from the County forum on their performance: "It was like farmers playing with wellies on"  - I couldn't have said it better myself 

he slunk off without doing the customary required post match interview. Must have gone into hiding, such were his atrocious tactics.  Oh well, that's another manager on the skids at Dingwall