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League Cup drubbing As expected, Inverness were dismissed by a rampant Motherwell before half time. An early tap in from Kevin van Veen put Motherwell in control and before half an hour Danny Devine turned a Matt Penney cross into his own net. Our injury woes increased with Nathan Shaw being replaced by Steven Boyd after thirty minutes. Sean Goss won a penalty which was converted by van Veen and it was game over by the interval. Another van Veen penalty completed his hat-trick with twenty three minutes left. The game then descended into a substitution frenzy with Motherwell safely into the draw for the next round. Good luck to them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Danny Devine and Wallace Duffy were back in defence but Aaron Doran, Austin Samuels and George Oakley were all missing along with long termers Shane Sutherland and Tom Walsh. This was a big ask for a struggling Championship side and a big step up in quality. And so it turned out, but the lack of passion and desire is something new to us and that needs to be addressed. Unfortunately this was no surprise as Motherwell brushed a poor Inverness team aside before the interval. Our highlight was in the 87th minute when Calum Mackay replaced older brother Daniel. Plenty for Billy Dodds to think about, and sadly we look out of our depth at the moment. Date: 31/08/2022 Venue: Fir Park, Motherwell Attendance: 3982 Referee: Kevin Clancy Motherwell: 4 Manager: Steven Hammell Lineup: Kelly; McGinn, Solholm, Lamie, Penney, Goss (Maguire 79), Slattery (Miller 79), Spittal (McKinstry 72), Efford (Aarons 71), Tierney, van Veen (Shields 76) Subs (not used): Oxborough; O'Donnell, Mugabi, Cornelius Scorers: van Veen (9, 38 pen, 67 pen), Devine (og 26) Booked: Slattery (19) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 0 Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup: Ridgers; Duffy, Devine (Hyde 71), Deas, Harper, D Mackay (Calum Mackay 87), Carson, Allardice, MacGregor (Delaney 45), Shaw (Boyd 29), B Mckay Subs (not used): C Mackay; C Mackay, Scorers: none Booked: Deas (55), Ridgers (66), Boyd (86) Sent Off: none a

Oh no, another game incoming   On the back of a couple of desperate results, we now have the daunting task of travelling to Fir Park to face Premiership side Motherwell in the knock out stages of the League Cup. We have often succeeded when the chips are down, however even our most optimistic of fans are struggling to see how we can change our fortunes given our current resources and desire. Poor showings against Partick Thistle and Morton in the Championship were not ideal preparation for the trip to Motherwell and many frustrated fans will be giving this a body swerve. It's almost as if the team won't give full commitment to the cause, why should the fans spend their hard earned cash to flog the dead donkey. Anyway, we live in eternal hope, but maybe this simply won't be our year. Motherwell have been blowing hot and cold recently and two late goals for Kilmarnock saw them go down 2-1 on Saturday. Dumped out of Europe by Sligo Rovers, they opened their Premiership campaign at Paisley with a 1-0 win. Followed that by losing at home to St Johnstone before stunning Aberdeen at Pittodrie by 2-3. A 1-0 win over Livingston preceded the Killie game giving them 3 wins and 2 losses. Our own form to be honest has been luke warm and ice cold in equal portions, however the last two games have shown us to be ill-prepared for the battle and I fear for us going to Fir Park on Tuesday night. The best we can hope for is a break from our Championship chores and come out refreshed for the rigours of going to Starks Park at the weekend. If not, it could be a long week. Latest Team News Little movement on the injury front, let's see what Dodds has to say about that ahead of this fixture, or maybe just the usual smoke screens.        

Caley Thistle ended their run of defeats with a 2-1 victory over Gretna but it was heavy going. Wyness, Imrie, Paatelainen and Wilson all had numerous chances before Caley Thistle scored in the 71st minute and when the goals came, they weren't strikers' goal but scored by midfielder Roy McBain who got the first and fellow midfielder Don Cowie two minutes later. In 80 minutes, Gretna - who were actually playing without a recognised striker - scored their first ever goal against the mediocre Caley Jags but ICT managed to hang on for the final 10 minutes to grab a valuable win. 05/04/08 Fir Park, Motherwell GRETNA 1 Barr (80) Team: Fleming, Barr, Griffiths, Meynell, McGill, Osman, Murray (Wilkinson 78), Skelton, Deverdics (Hogg 78), Kissock, Naughton SUBS: Fisher, Taylor, Sharples, Robinson, Schultz-Eklund INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE 2 McBain (71), Cowie (73) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McGuire, Proctor, Hastings, Wilson, McBain, Cowie, Paatelainen (Hart 82), Imrie, Wyness (McAllister 82) SUBS: Vigurs, Gillespie, Duff, Kerr, Malkowski Referee Mike Tumilty Attendance 431 Alternative Maryhill: Just back from a riveting performance, where a lot of the game consisted of Mikey punting the ball up the field to Imrie, where it would generally be won by Gretna. For the five minutes surrounding the two goals we looked like a team with a bit of fight and confidence again, and then it all just drained away again. Why?? Having said that, there were plenty of chances, but these were epitomised by a lovely cross along the goalmouth behind the keeper which Patti and AN Other (can't remember who) somehow magically failed to convert even though the ball was about a foot from the line and no Gretna players were close. Best players on the field were Kissock and Naughton from Gretna. Patti should have been subbed at half time for Hart, just seemed too lightweight today. Most depressing three points I've ever seen. Bayne, Duncan and Munro were all in the stands with us, so I hoped they enjoyed the show... Caley Stan: Although this fixture was a meaningless joke, it's still nice to see us win at last. We made hard work of though. Brewster went back to 4-4-2, with Wyness and Imrie up front, Wilson on the right and Markus on the left. Strange then that we spent most of the game punting high balls up to our wee strikers. There was a general lack of confidence and composure throughout the team - most of the players seemed to panic and hoof as soon as they received the ball instead of looking around for a simple pass. In spite of this, we managed to carve out a fair few chances, especially in the first half when Dennis could've had a hat-trick. Gretna came into the game more in the second half, with our defence looking as shaky as ever. McBain and Cowie deserved their goals, they worked well together in the middle of the park and were probably our best players today.

Caley Thistle's 500th senior game ended in defeat as Motherwell ran out 3-1 winners at Fir Park. 2-0 down after only 10 minutes, Caley Thistle had an uphill struggle to get back into the game but despite Don Cowie's 19th minute goal, it was not to be. There were plenty of talking points in this game - from tactics and team selection to a "stonewall" penalty claim near the end. 20/02/08 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL 3 Clarkson (7,42), Porter (10) Team: G Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, D Smith (Lappin 53), Lasley, Fitzpatrick, Clarkson, McCormack (Maguire 73), Porter (J Murphy 89) Subs: McLean, D Murphy, Archdeacon, Daniels INVERNESS CT 1 Cowie (19) Team: Fraser, Tokely, Munro, fMcGuire, Hastings, Duncan, McBain (Paatelainen 76), Cowie, Imrie (Black 76), Wyness, Bayne Subs: Watt, McAllister, Kerr, Vigurs, Malkowski Referee John Underhill Attendance 4526 Manager Craig Brewster made two changes to the side that had managed a 1-1 draw with Dundee United. Out went Marius Niculae and Ian Black with Dennis Wyness and Graham Bayne replacing them. Russell Duncan made his 250th ICT appearance in this game. Motherwell started brightly and within 10 minutes had established a 2-0 lead. A couple of early chances came to nothing but in 7 minutes Ross McCormack found David Clarkson in the box with a pass and he took a touch before sending a powerful shot past Fraser. Three minutes later it was number two, this time down the left. Stevie Hammell crossed to the back post and Chris Porter was there to head home his 13th of the season. Caley Thistle at this stage were not in the game at all and further chances fell to Motherwell with McCormack, Porter and Clarkson combining to run the Caley Jags ragged. The only bright spot for Caley Thistle up to this point was a Don Cowie effort that had gone well wide but in 19 minutes he was to get one on target well and truly against the run of play. A flick from Wyness fell just nicely for him and he blasted a dipping, swerving shot past the helpless Graeme Smith from 25 yards. 2-1 The game was a little more open after this but Motherwell were definitely in the ascendency and in 25 minutes Mike Fraser did well to get down and push away a Ross McCormack effort that looked goal-bound. It all went pear-shaped again in 41 minutes when the ever impressive David Clarkson got his second and Motherwell's third. A corner was floated in by Hammell and headed out of defence but it only got as far as Clarkson on the edge of the box and he volleyed it into the roof of the net giving Fraser no chance. Caley Thistle almost got one back immediately through Dougie Imrie as play raged to the other end but Smith got the better of him in a one-on-one situation and Dennis Wyness couldn't connect with the rebound. Half Time: 3-1 The second half started brightly, with Porter hitting the bar just 30 seconds after the restart and a couple of minutes later, Ross Tokely heading the ball onto the junction of post and bar from a Don Cowie corner with the keeper well beaten. In 51 minutes, Caley Thistle hit the bar again. This time it was Grant Munro getting on the end of another Don Cowie corner. The first half, and the early stages of the second half were full of pace and action, but inevitably, when that happens things eventually slow right down and so they did. As the pace of the game dropped, so it seemed did Caley Thistle's chance to come back into it. In fact, one of the few highlights of the second half was the substitution of the referee. John Underhill was injured and 4th official Frank McDermott had to take over in 75 minutes. McDermott didn't have a lot to do but did have a moment of controversy five minutes from the end. In what looked like a stonewall penalty claim, Duncan went down in the box but the referee waved away the claims and the game fizzled out without any further action. Full Time: 3-1

Team: A big win for Caley Thistle today, both in terms of the scoreline and also in getting a little bit further away from the relegation zone. Dennis Wyness slotted home a second minute penalty after Ross Tokely had been fouled in the box and a Don Cowie free kick on the half hour mark extended the lead. Second half goals from Barry Wilson and Roy McBain sealed a 4-0 victory. 27/10/07 Fir Park, Motherwell Gretna 0 Team: Caig, Cowan (Graham 46), Horwood, Grainger, McGuffie, Jenkins, Murray, Hogg (Grady 66), Skelton, Yantorno, Buscher (McMenamin 79) Subs: Deverdics, McGill, Paarpalu, Fleming INVERNESS CT 4 Wyness (2pen), Cowie (31), Wilson (73), McBain (75) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McGuire (Proctor 79), Munro, Hastings, McBain, Black (Wilson 60), Duncan, Cowie, Niculae (Bayne 72), Wyness Subs: D McDonald, Vigurs, Kerr, Malkowski Referee Mike McCurry Attendance 1096 It was going to be a long day as it was, and it was one made even longer for me when I received a call during the early hours of the morning to let me know that I was to be an uncle again as my brother and his wife had been blessed with a son weighing in at 5lbs 5oz who was to be named Michael Rury. A toast to their good health would have to wait as I had to be up and about in a couple of hours to ferry the ICT faithful to Fir Park for the game. Ironically, interest in attending the game was high as everyone wanted to be part of the crowd that was tipped to become the lowest ever in the SPL. Gretna had organised a Family Fun day for pre-match entertainment and that meant an early start to allow the youngsters (and the young at heart) to attend. The decision had also been taken to brighten things up a bit by participating in the “Wear it Pink ” campaign in support of Breast Cancer Research. The ladies were dressed head to toe in pink, whilst the only pink from the lads was the colour of their cheeks resulting from a sherbet or two in the Social Club pre-match. Those travelling on the CaleyThistleOnline minibus were split into two buses this week. Maimie was first with her bus with me following on after a couple of pick-ups. Male arrogance was in full flow and we were confident we’d catch them on the A9 despite the 10 minute lead. That wasn’t to be, although both buses pulled in to Ballinluig one after the other for the breakfast stop. Maimie was first away again, and we were all ready to roll until it was discovered that we’d somehow managed to pay for breakfast twice…TM4TJ and Billy the fish weren’t having this and had to go back in to reclaim some funds for the beer when we got to Motherwell. Finally we were back on the road and despite short visit to the crematorium at the request of Caley100 we made it to Fir Park. We were made very welcome at the Social Club and were mingling happily with the Gretna and Motherwell fans (they were waiting on their bus to take them to Parkhead). Spirits were high, the songs had already begun and a quick call back to the Innes Bar confirmed what we all suspected….Scooby wasn’t available to give us a lift the 50 yards from the Social Club to the Stadium!!! Predictions for the crowd were coming in at around the 600 to 700 mark whilst predictions on the score were based around a 1-2 or 0-2 for ICT. My own prediction had been 1-3 as clean sheets haven’t been our speciality this season. There had been much speculation about the team, would Brewster make himself available and would Zibi get another chance in goal….as it was, Craig Brewster went with only one change to the starting line up for this match against bottom of the league Gretna with Michael Fraser coming in to start against the on-loan Zibi Malkowski. Gretna had also gone with a change of goalkeeper by bringing in Caig and had made changes in most other areas of the field. On entering the stadium the crowd looked more than the predicted 6 or 700 and the Caley Thistle faithful had turned out in good numbers and high spirits. The songs had started before the teams were even on the pitch and the majority of the travelling support was in good voice. It wasn’t going to take much to have the Caley Jags fans singing today but rewards for the twelfth man came early. A long throw by Munro into the box led to a chance for Tokely to stick the ball in to the net at the left post, his chance was impeded by barge from Cowan, but the result was a deserved penalty. Wyness stepped up to do the honours and he sent Caig the wrong way as he placed the ball comfortably into the bottom-right of the net. Caley Thistle looked to be in control of the game from early on with Gretna doing very little to threaten. We were defending from well up the park which seemed to be frustrating Gretna and it became obvious early on that they were relying heavily on Fabian Yantorno. Marius Niculae was next to threaten the Gretna goal. He picked up the ball on the halfway line and made direct for the Gretna end. He was closed out with about 25 yards to go but managed to stop and control the ball for a shot which went low and narrowly wide of the post. Gretna’s first shot on goal came shortly afterwards following a foul by Tokely on Yantorno 35 yards out. Yantorno decided to shoot direct but it offered no trouble to Fraser and dipped harmlessly on to the roof of the net. The chants were coming thick and fast from the travelling Caley Jags fans….”Your just a Pub Team from England” and “Shall we sing a song for You” being directed at the very quiet Gretna Support. Niculae then came close again. Caig had come off his line to chase a high ball to his left but missed it in dramatic fashion only for it to fall in front of the goal a few yards out. Niculae was at full stretch as he clipped the ball on the volley with his right foot. Had he got a little more on it then Grainger would have been unable to reach it and clear it from the line. Nobody seems more desperate to score for ICT just now than him, and you have to wonder what he has to do to get his name on an SPL goalsheet as he continues to be denied. Dennis Wyness was fouled about 25 yards out on the left side of the pitch shortly afterwards and the balled was placed for Don Cowie to take the free-kick. His shot was well struck and it curled around the wall and inside the near post to make it 0-2 after 31 minutes. Then came one of the most bizarre bookings I have ever seen. It could only have been given for dissent as not only was the ball nowhere near the booked Paul Murray, but he hadn’t been involved anywhere in the play. It didn’t take long for those around me to agree that given the poor effort by Gretna in the game so far, he’d been booked simply because he was…eh….”not very good”, and the rest of the Gretna team would be booked for the same thing if they didn’t get their act together. Inverness CT weren’t playing at their best but Gretna had nothing to offer which was caused us any trouble. McBain did manage one other shot on goal before the half-time whistle and the Caley Jags were cheered off the park for a dominating first 45 minute performance. HT – Gretna 0 v 2 Inverness CT One half-time substitution for Gretna as David Graham was brought on to replace David Cowan and it looked like Gretna were going to go for broke and risk 3 at the back. Caley Thistle looked sharp for the first 5 minutes of the second half getting off to a very positive start with Niculae heading narrowly over from the penalty box and Wyness also going over with an attempted lob from the left side of the area. For the next 20 minutes or so it looked like we were going to be happy to defend our lead and we allowed Gretna to come at us a bit more by choosing to defend a bit deeper. Yantorno was caught narrowly offside about 20 yards out and moments later he missed narrowly wide from 25 yards out. Ian Black was down injured on the far side of the field and it seemed to go unnoticed as play continued. Then McGuffie had a text book copy of Yantorno’s effort missing narrowly right. It looked like ICT had gone to sleep and if they weren’t careful Gretna were going to get themselves right back in to this game. Black had to make his own way off the pitch to receive treatment and the decision was quickly made to send Barry Wilson on in his place. Philip McGuire received a soft yellow card for a mis-timed tackle on Yantorno. Although it didn’t appear that any contact was made, Yantorno had decided to go to ground. His recovery was miraculous though. The moment the card was shown he was up and ready to take the free-kick which sailed harmlessly over the bar. Frasers goal kick was picked up well by Gretna and they came right back at us with Skelton opting to shoot from 30 yards out. The ball looked like it was going safely (if only narrowly) wide, but Fraser was taking no chances and a spectacular dive saw him getting a full hand behind the powerful shot and pushing it out along the line. Niculae made a desperate attempt to chase and keep the ball in to prevent the corner but a chasing Gretna player posed too much of a threat and he knocked it safely out. The Caley Thistle fans had been giving James Grady a bit of a hard time when he was warming up in the first half (we seemed to have songs for everyone and everything today), and he had now been take on to replace Steven Hogg. About 20 minutes in to the second half and we finally looked like we’d got ourselves together again and were back to defending from further forward and quickly breaking down the little threat Gretna had been showing. It was also time for our second sub with Bayne coming on to replace Niculae up front. Wyness had a shot pushed out by Caig with about 20 minutes left on the clock. Cowie knocked the resultant penalty in to the box but the clearance didn’t go too far before being played back in. Some nice touches from ICT saw us carve their defence apart - the play started with McBainplaying the ball wide to Wilson who cut inside and played it through to Munro on the edge of the area, Munro played it straight back to Wilson who touched it off to McGuire for him to play the killer touch behind the defender leaving Wilson with the simple task of taking a touch before slotting it into the bottom right corner. 0-3 This was the catalyst for the first of the Gretna fans to start departing from the stadium to chants of “Cheerio” and “We Can See You Sneaking Out”….not to mention my favourite of the day “Relegation to You” (sung to the tune of Happy Birthday to You). I was getting hoarse and the Stewards seemed to have all but given up on telling us to sit down… ”What’s the point, we’ll be standing to celebrate the next goal soon” was one reply to them…made all the funnier by the fact that whoever had said it was spot on. No sooner had we stopped cheering the third goal when the 4th one came. And it was a goal from nothing. A run of the mill ball played in from the right to McBain about 30 yards out. He must have saw the gap and the chance because he simply let rip with a shot into top dead centre….his name on the score sheet and a Free M.O.T from Caley100 (that’ll teach him to keep his gob shut…lol) Substitutions by both teams with 12 minutes on the clock did little to change the flow of the game. Proctor came on to replace the booked McGuire and Gretna swapped Buscher for McMennamin The last 10 minutes saw ICT simply knocking the ball about and killing the clock. Yantoro did manage his party trick of knocking a ball over the bar one more time from a fair distance out, with our own Wilson and Tokely having half chances of their own. Caley Thistle fans had taken pity on the Gretna support that had remained to the end and we even took to cheering on their players when they had the ball. Fortunately I managed to spell Gretna correctly when doing a round of “Gimme a G…Gimme an R…etc” From here on in I don’t think we let Gretna within 30 yards of goal and McCurry should receive a humanity medal for putting them out of their misery on the stroke of 90 minutes with no time added. Full Time: 0-4 I said after the Hibs game that we were going to give someone a hammering sooner rather than later due to the way we had been playing back then. The truth is, we weren’t at the top of our game today, but we didn’t have to be. We always looked ready to shift up a gear if it was needed whilst Gretna already looked like they had engaged everything at their disposal. The journey home…..well that’s a story in itself and shall be left for discussion on the forums!!!

Marius Niculae made his long awaited debut for Inverness and although he had a good game, there was to be no fairytale debut goal. Instead, ICT opened the scoring in the 82nd minute through veteran Ross Tokely but a Phil O'Donnell goal 5 minutes from time and a Ross McCormack penalty right at the death denied Inverness what would have been a deserved victory. 11/08/07 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL 2 (O'Donnell 85, McCormack 90pen) Team: Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick, Paterson, Lasley, O'Donnell, McGarry, Clarkson, Porter (McCormack 76) Subs: Molloy, Smith, Mensing, Corrigan, McLean, Meldrum INVERNESS CT 1 (Tokely 82) Team: Fraser, Tokely, McCaffrey, Munro, Hastings, Duncan, Cowie, Black, McBain, Wyness (Bayne 63), Niculae (D. McDonald 78) Subs: A. McDonald, Rankin, Sutherland, Wilson, Ridgers Referee Alan Freeland Attendance 4259 Charlie Christie, who was rumoured to have signed a new two year deal before the game, made three changes to the side that lost the previous week to Rangers Out of the squad through injury went Rory McAllister and Barry Wilson and John Rankin were on the bench in favour of Don Cowie and Russell Duncan who started. Marius Niculae, with his work permit situation now resolved replaced Rory up front. Motherwell were the first to attack when David Clarkson went close with a volley from 12 yards out in the first minute. Things settled down a little after that but it was Clarkson again who had the next chance in the game in 16 minutes when he got on the end of a Keith Lasley cross from only six yards out. Fortunately, Mike Fraser was alert and saved with ease. At the other end, Inverness were making chances and Marius Niculae was putting himself about a fair bit but nothing was coming of it. Don Cowie took a succession of free-kicks between the 20th and 30th minute but although he put the Well defence under a little pressure, again they came to nothing even though one did end up at the feet of Niculae who attempted a shot at goal from nearly 30 yards out. On the half hour mark, Caley Thistle had their best chance of the match so far. A Roy McBain corner was met by Ross Tokely but he headed narrowly wide under pressure from the Well defence. 5 minutes from half time, Caley Thistle had numerous chances after a flurry of corner kicks, First Cowie took one that was cleared by Fitzpatrick, then McBain took one which ended with a Cowie shot and a Smith save, then a minute later, after a tipping a Roy McBain effort round the post, Smith saved the resultant corner. Half Time: 0-0 This was a game between two evenly matched sides and the second half had a similar feel to it. However, it was noticeable that Motherwell seemed to have picked up the pace a little and the Caley Jags were not getting as many chances as they had had in the first. Having said that, it was Don Cowie who had the first real chance of the second half .... In 58 minutes, a Ross Tokely through ball fooled Mark Reynolds and Cowie got on the end of it and 20 yards from goal he decided to try and chip the keeper. It went agonisingly close, landing on the roof of the net ! In 62 minutes, Mike Fraser had to look lively to save a Keith Lasley effort. The ICT defence had been split wide open by some good Motherwell passing which resulted in Clarkson releasing Lasley but Mike Fraser saved the effort with his foot. [editors note: one of these quirky little things to keep an eye on !! for two weeks in a row now, Mike has saved a number of shots with his legs/feet as well as his hands] A minute later, Wyness was replaced by Bayne up front and a minute after that, Motherwell again came close from David Clarkson. A Russell Duncan foul on Clarkson resulted in a free kick which Clarkson took himself. He passed it to McGarry who then crossed it back into the box. Clarkson got on the end of it but headed wide from 12 yards. In 70 minutes, Chris Porter came close for the Steelmen. A Mark Reynolds near-post corner was headed just wide from six yards out. It was more or less Porter's last act in the game as he was replaced by Ross McCormack a few minutes later. Marius Niculae was also replaced before the end. Despite working hard throughout this game, it was clear he was not match fit and absolutely knackered so in 79 minutes the chance of a debut goal ended when he was replaced by Dean McDonald. A couple of minutes later and that elusive goal arrived and it couldn't have been more of a contrast than the fans had hoped for or expected. Hoping for a strikers goal from a man making his club debut the fans instead got a defenders goal from a man who holds the club appearance record ... did the fans care ? of course not. it made it 0-1 !!! The goal came from a free kick after Phil O'Donnell had fouled Graham Bayne. Don Cowie - who deserves praise for the effort and level of play he showed in what was also his debut for the club - stepped up to take the free kick and sent it to the far end of the box. Rossco was there to fire it home sweetly into the bottom corner of the net. not a classic goal, but one, so late on, that could and should have been the game winner. The Motherwell of last season may have crumbled at losing a goal so late on, but instead, Mark McGhee's men went looking for an equaliser and it was Inverness who did the crumbling ! In 85 minutes, O'Donnell equalised for Well after he got his head to a Steve McGarry cross and sent it looping past Mike Fraser from close range. If the game had ended there, none of the fans could really have complained at the result, two evenly matched teams sharing the spoils of a game where both had chances to win it. However, the game did not end there and it was heartbreak for Inverness right at the death when Well were awarded a penalty. Skipper Grant Munro was adjudged to have pulled down David Clarkson in the box and referee Alan Freeland awarded a spot kick and booked Grant. Grant has vehemently denied pulling down the player and suggested that the Well man dived but even boss Charlie Christie admitted after the game that it looked like a penalty from where he was. Ross McCormack stepped up to take the kick and made it 2-1 for Well and that is how it finished. Full Time: 2-1 For Caley Thistle, it was very frustrating and in addition to Cowie who was booked early in the game, a flurry of yellows in the last few minutes saw Duncan, Munro and Black also go into the referee' book. With Gretna shipping 4 goals again this week despite leading 2-0 at Hibs, they still lurk in bottom spot on goal difference but both Inverness and St Mirren (our next opponents) have yet to put any points on the board in what is a disappointing start to the season.

MOTHERWELL 1-0 ICT: Scott McDonald scored on the stroke of half-time to give Motherwell their first ever win against Caley Thistle at Fir Park. Overall, Well probably deserved the win and Caley Thistle's once fearsome away record continues to crumble - its now 9 away league games without victory!!! Club Historian Ian Broadfoot supplies the official report from this game. 17th February 2007 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL 1 (McDonald 45) Team: Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, Reynolds, Murphy, Darren Lee Smith (McGarry 85), Kerr, Fitzpatrick, Paterson, Clarkson (McCormack 76), McDonald Subs: Keegan, Molloy, Quinn, Vadocz & Meldrum INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 0 Team: Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Duncan (Black 70), McBain, Rankin (Paatelainen 71), Bayne, McAllister (McSwegan 75) Subs: McCaffrey, Morgan, Soane & Ridgers Referee Mike Tumilty Attendance 4258 Motherwell’s Fir Park has been a happy hunting ground for Caley Thistle since reaching the SPL but not today. A single Scott McDonald goal on the stroke of half time was enough to give the Steelmen victory despite a second half comeback by the visitors. "There was a lack of composure with some of the chances missed and I think in games like today you really see the value of Craig Dargo and Dennis Wyness" - Charlie Christie speaking on Official Site. Christie retained the same starting eleven as last week which meant that, with Craig Dargo still injured – and Dennis Wyness out for the rest of the season – Rory McAllister partnered Graham Bayne up front. Mike Fraser continued to make the goalkeeping position his own in a display that saw him just pipped for the BBC ‘Man of the Match’ accolade by Mark Reynolds. Motherwell’s David Clarkson had the first attempt on goal in the second minute but his header from Jim Paterson’s cross went past the post. At the other end Barry Wilson hit wide in eight minutes then Clarkson had a shot well blocked by Mike Fraser. Scott McDonald fired wide in 14 minutes then in 23 minutes Clarkson went down in the Caley Thistle box while chasing a through ball with Fraser – Clarkson was booked for diving. Caley Thistle’s hopes of soaking up the pressure until half time were dashed just as the fourth official signalled one added minute of time. A high Danny Murphy free kick from the left edge of the box eluded the central defenders and McDonald headed home from six yards. Half Time: 1-0 Despite this blow Caley Thistle came out in the second half in a determined mood but just could not find that accurate final touch. Rory McAllister hit off target in 50 and 56 minutes then in 64 minutes Graeme Smith took two attempts to gather a John Rankin volley. In 70 minutes McAllister had another chance following a free kick but he hit just wide. With ten minutes left Mike Fraser did well to block a shot from substitute Ross McCormack and keep his side in the game. At the other end a Darren Dods header was cleared from the danger area by Stephen Craigan. Eight minutes from time ICT substitutes Gary McSwegan and Markus Paatelainen combined but Graeme Smith did well to block the Finn’s shot. The visitors continued to press for an equaliser but it did not come and Motherwell took the points. Full Time: 1-0 Eighth place was retained but on goal difference from Motherwell (who have two games in hand) and Dundee United who play Hibs on Sunday. Dundee Utd V Hibs finished goalless so ICT slip to 9th and DUFC move up to eighth.

Motherwell 1-4 ICT Barry wilson has a great day as he sets up all 4 of Caley Thistle's goals against Motherwell. Ross Tokely opened the scoring in a tight first half but second half goals from Craig Dargo, Grant Munro and Rory McAllister's first league goal - which was also ICT's 100th goal in the SPL - sealed the match in style. 9th September 2006 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL 1 (McDonald 71) Team: Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson (MacLean 18), McBride (McGarry 53), Kerr, Lasley, Foran, Elliot (Coakley 65), McDonald Subs – Fitzpatrick, Connolly, McCormack & Meldrum INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 4 (Tokely 25, Dargo 48, Munro 78, McAllister 88) Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Black (Morgan 81), Rankin (Keogh 80), McBain, Dargo (McAllister 83), Bayne Subs – McCaffrey, Duncan, Sutherland & Fraser Referee William Collum Attendance 4091 Man of the Match Barry Wilson (ICT) The Hearts’ result at Tynecastle equalled ICT’s worst defeat in the SPL but a fortnight is a long time in football – this fine win at Motherwell equalled the club’s best SPL score. Motherwell manager Maurice Malpas may not have been happy with his strikers or his defence but Charlie Christie was delighted to gain the first SPL victory of the season. With Dennis Wyness still sidelined Craig Dargo came back from injury to partner Graham Bayne up front. Otherwise the team from Tynecastle remained intact. Ian Black, fresh from signing an extended contract, made his 50th appearance. His name may not have appeared on the score sheet but the Highland hero of the day was Barry Wilson who set up all four goals and was always a threat with his pinpoint crosses. After exchanges at both ends Motherwell should have taken the lead in 20 minutes when Kevin McBride failed to connect with a Scott MacDonald cross in a good position. The first goal came five minutes later at the other end when a Wilson free kick was punched away by Graeme Smith but only as far as Ross Tokely. The big defender scored with a looping header to open his account for the season. In 36 minutes the Steelmen came close when a Brian Kerr 20 yard free kick rebounded off the bar. With the break looming Smith parried a Wilson drive and Bayne was robbed of the ball by Brian McLean as he seemed certain to score. Half Time: 0-1 The second goal came just three minutes into the second half when Wilson robbed Paul Quinn and squared the ball to give Dargo a close-range chance which he did not turn down. The Motherwell camp began to realise this was not their day when in 54 minutes Richie Foran missed the easiest of chances from just two yards out. They did pull one back in 71 minutes when Scott McDonald headed home a Keith Lasley free kick. Smith made an excellent save from Dargo in 78 minutes but the resultant corner from Wilson proved fatal. Bayne flicked it on and Grant Munro was in the right place to hammer home his second goal of the season. It was now all over for Motherwell and their fans started to head for home. Youngster Rory McAllister finished the scoring two minutes from time when he headed in another Wilson corner. Full Time: 1-4 A good day’s work, three valuable points and a small but significant climb from tenth to ninth.

Club historian Ian Broadfoot reports from Fir Park, Motherwell as Craig Dargo scores his 15th league goal of the season in the 27th minute of this match to take all three points back up the A9. Alexander Sutherland was promoted from the reserves into the first team pool during the week and was on the bench. 15th April 2006 Fir Park, Motherwell Motherwell 0 Team: Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, McLean, Hammell, Paterson (Kinniburgh 64), McCormack, O'Donnell, Foran (Clarkson 70), Hamilton (Kerr 59), McDonald Subs: Meldrum, Leitch, McGarry, McBride Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 (Dargo 27) Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Golabek, Wilson (Hart 79), Duncan, Morgan (McBain 71), Keogh, Dargo, Bayne (McAllister 81) Subs: Fraser, McCaffrey, Fox, Sutherland Referee D McDonald Attendance 3438 Man of the Match Not Supplied Sent Off McCormack (Motherwell) A boring end-of-season encounter this most certainly was not. In December Craig Dargo scored twice at Fir Park to take the points and this time his 27th minute strike was enough to see off a determined Motherwell side. The Inverness side was shaken up a little with Liam Keogh, Graham Bayne and Stuart Golabek coming into the starting eleven. There was also a first bench appearance for eighteen year old Zander Sutherland. Motherwell had the first crack at goal in five minutes when Scott McDonald threaded the ball through for Phil O’Donnell but Mark Brown turned his shot past for a corner. The home side continued to press and a dipping Steve Hammell free kick in 22 minutes just cleared Brown’s bar. It was the visitors who took a decisive lead in 27 minutes when a high Grant Munro ball out of defence was aimed for Dargo and he outpaced two defenders to set up a one-on-one with Graeme Smith. Dargo neatly sent a low ball into the net for the game’s only goal. Three minutes later an Alan Morgan ball in from the left wing rebounded off Dargo’s back into the path of Russell Duncan – his 25 yard blast was well saved by Smith. A Jim Hamilton close-range shot was deflected for a corner by Darren Dods in 35 minutes then, close to half time, Dargo ran half the length of the park then set up Barry Wilson. Wilson’s shot was saved by Smith but it came back out to give Wilson another chance – once more Smith was equal to the task. Half Time: 0-1 Six minutes after the break the match flared up when Richie Foran fouled Duncan on the left. Alan McCormick waded in as Duncan expressed his displeasure and yellow cards were shown to both Duncan and McCormick. Inexplicably a minute later McCormick raced over to the right and clattered Ross Tokely. The rest was inevitable – a second yellow and a walk to the dressing room. ICT never managed to take real advantage of the extra man and it was the Steelmen who next came close. In 64 minutes a quick Brian Kerr free kick was sent into the box by McDonald and it came off both Kerr and Brian McLean – it could have gone anywhere but it went over for a goal kick. Brown dived to collect an O’Donnell header in 76 minutes then, with seven minutes left, ICT substitute Rory McAllister won the ball off William Kinniburgh to set up a couple of chances – McAllister’s shot was blocked then Keogh’s follow-up was well saved by Smith. Three minutes from time a dangerous curling Richie Hart effort from 20 yards was pushed away by Smith. FullTime: 0-1 A hectic three minutes of added time came to nothing and the points pushed Caley Thistle above Motherwell into seventh place. With 46 points on the board, and four games left, last season’s total of 44 has also been overtaken.

Craig Dargo scores a second half double to grab all three points for the Caley Jags in this match at Fir Park, Motherwell. The result takes Caley Thistle into the top 6 of the SPL. Saturday 3rd December 2005 Fir Park, Motherwell MOTHERWELL FC 0 Team: G Smith, Corrigan, Craigan (Kinniburgh 70), McLean, Hammell, McCormack, Kerr, Fagan (McBride 74), Foran, S McDonald, Hamilton (Clarkson 33) Subs – D Smith, Quinn, Coakley & Meldrum INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC 2 (Dargo 63, 88) Team: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Fox 89), Duncan, Black, Morgan (Hart 61), Brewster, Dargo Subs – McCaffrey, Bayne, Wyness, McAllister & Frase Referee S Conroy Attendance 4103 Man of the Match Info Not Provided A smash and grab raid at Motherwell took the three points and hoisted Caley Thistle up into the magic top six. Motherwell should have turned at half time in the lead but they squandered several chances and were denied by their former ‘keeper Mark Brown. Craig Brewster brought himself back into the starting eleven in place of Graham Bayne and Alan Morgan came in for David Proctor. The Steelmen started well and in less than a minute Alan McCormack sliced wide from just inside the box. Four minutes later Shaun Fagan hit wide from 12 yards with only Brown to beat. Brian Kerr hit past the post in 12 minutes then in 22 minutes Brown tipped over an 18 yard drive from Fagan. David Clarkson was the next sinner as he hit wide from 12 yards. A minute before the whistle McCormack shot straight at Brown then Darren Dods cleared off the line from Scott McDonald. Caley Thistle created very little in the first half and Motherwell ‘keeper Graeme Smith had an easy time – Barry Wilson shot wide, Dods struck the side netting and Ian Black hit off target. Half Time: 0-0 Into the second half and Motherwell were unlucky when a Brian Mclean goal-bound shot was deflected onto the post by Ross Tokely. The home side were stunned in 63 minutes when Caley Thistle took the lead. Brewster sent a ball through for Craig Dargo who stayed onside and hit it through Smith’s legs. Smith saved well from Black in 74 minutes then Clarkson nearly equalised with a header that came off the post. The game was over in 88 minutes when Dargo scored his second – Richie Hart sent a square pass from the right and Dargo hit the ball between Smith and the post. Full Time: 0-2 A fine afternoon’s work and revenge for September’s 2-1 home defeat.

Roberts Stunner Puts Caley Jags Through With Late Winner. Number 39 scored in the 39th minute to put Inverness ahead before the break. Miles Storey it was that claimed the goal to give the visitors the lead with Stephen McManus in close proximity. We were down to one hand on the trophy when Scott McDonald equalised after the break as McManus powered a header goalward. Jordan Roberts restored two hands on the trophy with a fantastic winner in the 91st minute and it's Inverness that go into the quarter finals after a hard fought game. Inverness travelled to Fir Park to take on Motherwell after being paired with the Lanarkshire club in the last sixteen of this seasons Scottish Cup and came away with the trophy still in their grasp for now. Much had been made of the young guns being kept off the buses, but there was still enough away fans to encourage the side to defend the trophy, and substitute Jordan Roberts became an instant hero with a spectacular winner as the game entered injury time. Inverness went unchanged with Carl Tremarco at full back and Danny Williams in a more attack minded midfield position. New signings Liam Hughes and Ryan Williams joined Jordan Roberts on the bench. Mark McGhee riled the home support before a ball was kicked by leaving top scorer Louis Moult on the bench, but veteran striker Scott McDonald led the attack. First to have a crack at scoring was our man in the news this week, Aberdeen target Greg Tansey who tried his luck from 35 yards with a free kick, but Ripley gathered reasonably comfortably as the ball curled round the wall, the ball bouncing into the keepers arms. Ripley didn't look so comfortable when an unlikely scorer Carl Tremarco looped a header goalwards, the keeper scrambling backwards to tip the ball onto the bar before eventually grasping the ball as it bounced to safety. Scott McDonald hit woodwork for the Steelmen when a brilliant cross from Cadden was glanced onto the top of the bar with Fon Williams beaten, the ball bouncing up and over for a goal kick A let off for the Cup holders and they rubbed salt into the wound by going straight up the park to open the scoring. Mutombo did well chesting down the long ball forward before slipping a ball wide down the left. Carl Tremarco was well advanced and raced onto the ball before firing a low ball across goal. Miles Storey was closely followed by Stephen McManus and it appears as though the big defender got the final touch as the ball bounced into the net in the 39th minute. That goal was all about the quality down the left from Tremarco who was having an excellent game. As the half drew to a close, Fon Williams plucked an effort from Cadden out of the air but it was the visitors who held the upper hand. Half Time 0-1 McDonald brought out a regulation save from Fon Williams as Motherwell looked to get back into the tie. Mutombo was booked as he looked to be fading out of the game and was subbed soon after, Jordan Roberts at last getting a fair crack of the whip, I wonder what he can do. Motherwell striker Scott McDonald was willing to shoot on sight when it wasn't really the best option, Fon Williams once more gathering comfortably. Stephen Pearson fresh aired what looked like a glorious chance to score and Danny Williams brought out a reflex save from Ripley at the other end as Inverness looked to extend their lead. On 66 minutes, Devine was booked after bringing down Chris Cadden as he broke clear. Devine not convinced it was a free kick and neither was I. However, from the corner that followed the aftermath of the free kick McMannus powered a header on target and Scott McDonald was handily placed to divert the ball into the net away from the keeper. Game on! Motherwell fans frustration eventually won the day as McGhee eventually brought on Louis Moult with around ten minutes of play left. However, it was another substitute that produced the goods to shatter the Steelmen. As the game entered time added on, Jordan Roberts outmuscled Morgaro Gomis just inside the Inverness half. He strode forward and jinked onto his left foot before unleashing a thunderbolt that flashed behind a diving Ripley into the keepers top right corner, the net just doing enough to stop the progress of the ball. What a goal and a great way to get off the mark for Roberts who has had his season badly curtailed through injury. The timing of the goal was of course, impeccable leaving Motherwell only time to wonder at the strike but not enough to be able to do anything about it and it was game over. Full Time 1-2 Well well Well, what a way to get into the next round. We probably just deserved to edge it but as expected, there was little between the sides and it was fitting that it took an exceptional strike to win the tie. A couple of paragraphs from our onsite viewers who saw the game like this and concurred that we deserve to be in the hat. Rig thought so as well and gave Tremarco top points:- "Anyway, might not have been the best game but I think we deserved that. I felt we created the better chances overall and whilst Motherwell edged the first half we were the better side in the second. Great play by Tremarco to make the first goal. Not seen him show that kind of speed, well, ever! Perhaps an error by the Well defence thinking they had more time or another man over but credit Tremarco for getting to it and then playing in such a good ball to Storey. So it went in off McManus but we'll take it. Disappointing goal to concede. Devine didn't cover himself in glory with a rash challenge when Motherwell broke which led to the corner from which they scored but we really need to defend set pieces better. I thought Tremarco was perhaps our best player. He was good defensively and offered a good bit of support going forward. Devine had a game that encapsulated his season. Some heroic defending one minute and then he was losing his man which nearly saw us concede. Mutumbo started well but faded quite a lot. Didn't give Raven much help defensively and, like Williams on the left, had a habit of coming inside a lot meaning we weren't playing with a lot of width for most of the game. Jordan Roberts showed some very nice touches when he came on and hopefully we'll see him starting in games in the near future. Looks a good one." Alternative Maryhill was as ever, more philosophical, but agreed that we shaded it:- "Not a vintage performance, but we did deserve the win. Both full backs played well, and I thought Draper was the pick of the midfielders and that Danny Williams looked our most dangerous attacking player: some excellent movement, particularly at the start of the second half, and he had one clever flick that Ripley saved at his near post. Mutombo started well, but I thought he faded before the end of the first half was over, and he does still look a little lightweight, both in possession and when trying to close down opponents - I'd like to see him work a bit harder in the latter respect. There's clearly talent in there, but he does still look a bit of a luxury. Not as much, though, as Vigurs, who I thought was extremely disappointing. He was ponderous in possession, didn't close down enough or fight for the ball when he lost possession, and was frequently negative in his passing. Tremarco's run and cross for the opener was about the first really decisive piece of play that we had managed, despite a few passages of neat interplay. The second half was better, although we did lose our way for a while around the time of the Motherwell goal, something that wasn't helped by the substitution of Storey for Polworth, when Vigurs would have been a far more obvious candidate to be replaced. In a way though, it was good that Motherwell scored, because it made the impact of Roberts' goal all the sweeter. What a strike. If you weren't there, you'll enjoy seeing it on TV. The Motherwell Twitter account, from deep in a well of its own salty tears, described it as 'speculative'. How bitter." Date: 06/02/16 Venue: Fir Park, Motherwell Attendance: 3907 Referee: Steven McLean Motherwell: 1 Lineup: Ripley, Hammell, McManus, Kennedy, Law, Pearson, Lasley (Moult 83), Gomis, Johnson, Cadden, McDonald (Ainsworth 88) Subs (not used): Samson, Laing, Chalmers, Leitch, Thomas Scorers: McDonald (67) Booked: Pearson (76) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Lineup: Fon Williams, Raven, Tremarco, Warren, Draper, Devine, Tansey, D.Williams, Vigurs (Hughes 88), Mbuyi-Mutombo (Roberts 56), Storey (Polworth 70) Subs (not used): Esson, R.Williams, Wedderburn, Brown Scorers: Storey (39), Roberts (91) Booked: Mbuyi-Mutombo (54), Devine (65) Sent Off: none

All over bar the shouting Despite Richie Foran stating we were ready for the battle, it was Motherwell that came out determined to put us to the sword and after just eight minutes we found ourselves 2-0 down and Tremarco substituted through injury. Foran said on BBC Sport "I'm feeling positive. Three points today can change the whole picture for us." Eight minutes later that statement looked flawed. Alex Fisher deflected one in before half-time and had another couple of efforts well saved by Craig Samson. The Fish lobbed another ten minutes after the break to level matters. However a disputed Scott McDonald goal and a powerful headed finish from Allan Campbell put Well in the driving seat again. 4-2 Final score and the Championship is calling our name out loud. The fears of the visiting fans were quickly realised as Billy Mckay missed out through injury and with Gary Warren and Larnell Cole suspended and Iain Vigurs on the park, the writing was on the wall before a ball was kicked. The results this weekend have virtually relegated Inverness although Dundee are still in free fall five points above us. Old Caley Girl will have a full report for us if she hasn't jumped off the Kessock Bridge yet.................. Nope, she's still with us, and has put together a somewhat sombre report. The Grim Reaper is coming It is with a very heavy heart I start typing this match report. Yesterday was, in all honesty, a final roll of the dice to save ourselves and we failed. There is no doubt this wretched season is grinding to its inevitable conclusion. We are done, finished and down no doubt about it. Any optimism Caleyaway had at the start of the match didn’t last long. Cadden opened the scoring in 7 minutes. He danced into the box and bulleted the ball into the left hand top of the goal. It seemed to catch the wind and curl giving OFW no chance. Yet again all too easy with Cadden not shut down early by McCart. Two minutes later things went from bad to worse. Moult floated a left footed shot over the goal, the ball was fumbled by OFW and bounced into the net. Ryan Bowman could have made it 3 but for a good save by our keeper. At this point we decided to roll up our sleeves, waken up and play. A further blow was Carl Tremarco going off injured and replaced by McNaughton in 11 minutes. For the rest of the first half it was pretty much end to end stuff with Fisher giving the away fans a bit of a lift in 21 minutes with a left footed shot hitting the right hand back of the net. Owain Fon Williams had several fine saves as well. HALF TIME Motherwell 2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 The second half continued as the first had ended with both sides having chances. However in 54 minutes it looked like the great escape was on. Fisher scoring a poachers goal from outside the box into an empty net, one that Iain Stewart would have been proud of. This was the type of fight and grit we had been looking for from the players and there was hope this might, just might be the day we won the must win game. In 64 minutes Vigurs was replaced by Mulraney and unfortunately that led to us losing shape in my opinion. Vigurs had been having a solid game up till this point playing off Polworth. Two minutes later enter the Willie Collum show. Scott McDonald headed the ball towards goal and was saved on the line by Owain Fon Williams. Well we all thought it was until Mr Collum bizarrely awarded a goal!!! Our players were understandably raging and that was that. The players seemed totally deflated and that probably led to losing another goal 5 minutes later from an Allan Campbell header. Anier appeared in 74 minutes replacing Billy King and Brad McKay earned a yellow in 89 minutes. No luck again but that’s been the story of this season. A monumental task now awaits if we are to stay up. FULL TIME – Motherwell 4 -2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle OCG MotM – Alex Fisher, showing fight passion and knowing where the back of the net was. I can’t help feeling he should have been playing more and that if he had we might not be where we are now. At the end of the match he came over acknowledged the fans and gave away his top to a young away fan. Not sure what to read into that but rumours now surface that his contract will not be renewed sadly. Honourable mention to Iain Vigurs, Greg Tansey and Liam Polworth who definitely got pass marks from me. Can’t remember feeling so down as I did yesterday leaving Fir Park. Will be a while till we see it again as our fate is sealed. There will be no great escape after all. Yes Collum changed the match and in all probability that was the killer blow but we have been struggling all season. A lot of chat re Richie Foran, the players and the board from fellow Caleyawayers. Leaving that for another day as still licking my wounds from a miserable day out. Oh dear, not looking so good now as we enter the bottom-six split 5 points adrift of the nearest side, the free falling Dundee. All is not lost yet, but it would be a brave man to bet on us avoiding relegation now. Still, while there are fifteen points still up for grabs, then we can cling on to the Premiership for another couple of weeks yet. Next game is a Friday night derby at Dingwall. Not for the faint hearted I imagine. A forlorn Foran gives his match reaction........... Highlights from SPFL website Date: 15/04/17 Venue: Fir Park, Motherwell Attendance: 3696 Referee: Willie Collum Motherwell: 4 Lineup: Samson, Hammell (Jules 87), Heneghan, McHugh, Campbell, Cadden, Frear, Pearson, Bowman (Ainsworth 59), McDonald, Moult (Blyth 83) Subs (not used): Griffiths, Clay, Ferguson, Gordon Scorers: Cadden (7), Moult (9), McDonald (65), Campbell (70) Booked: none Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2 Lineup: Fon-Williams, Tremarco (McNaughton 13), McCart, Laing, B.MacKay, Polworth, Draper, Vigurs (Mulraney 64), Tansey, King (Anier 74), Fisher Subs (not used): Esson, Ebbe, Horner, Boden Scorers: Fisher (21, 54) Booked: Brad Mackay (89) Sent Off: none a

Fir Park six-pointer. It's getting close to last chance saloon for Inverness as they try to stave off relegation. A visit to fellow strugglers Motherwell is our last game before the League split, a split that will determine our fate over the final five games of this dismal season. It's probably fitting that the bottom two clubs at this moment are Inverness and Motherwell, the clubs with the worst defensive record in the League. Inverness' only away win all season came at Motherwell back in October. It kind of came out of the blue although it was nonetheless very welcome at the time. Second half goals from Carl Tremarco, Lonsana Doumbouya, and Liam Polworth catapulted rookie boss Richie Foran's side into the top-six. Here we go we all thought. Alas, a devastating one win in the twenty-one League games since then has plummeted Foran's flops to the brink of relegation, four points adrift of second bottom Motherwell. It's been a season to forget for Caley Jags fans with a total of four wins to date, the worst statistic in British senior football. Speculation grew in the media this week that Foran was about to get the bullet, but the club quickly dispelled any truth in the hype surrounding this, although many fans fear it's a couple of months too late in the making. The board won't like this either, but many pundits are looking to them as guilty parties in this sorry mess. Foran's appointment being the main topic and appearing to be the cheap option. Club legend Barry Wilson talking on BBC Sport is pointing his finger at the board. "The buck stops with the board. They made the appointment, they took the gamble and, at the minute, it's certainly not looking as if it's worked. "Richie needed his own man in there as an assistant, he wasn't granted that, so there had to be a partnership between Brian and Richie - and I don't think that's there. That doesn't help." We are not relegated yet though and should we defeat Motherwell, then more opportunities will surely come along after the split, but the statistics don't back that up with only four wins in thirty-two games, why should the last five be any different. We showed nothing against St Johnstone to suggest that we are up for a battle and if anything, most of the players look resigned to Championship football already. We plumbed new depths against St Johnstone going down without much fight 3-0 at home with two players sent off. Larnell Cole during the second half and Gary Warren after the final whistle. Nothing went right for us and heads went down too early, the Cole sending of just brought forward the capitulation. The Steelmen lost 1-0 to surprise top-six qualifiers Partick Thistle who have had a great season by their recent standards. That defeat was Well's seventh in the last ten games with only one win and two draws. Well parted company with Mark McGhee at the end of February after a run of two wins in thirteen games. Seems not too bad considering some managers have had worse records. However the straw that broke the donkey's back was a 5-1 thrashing from Dundee. A month later they appointed Stephen Robinson as the man to get them out of trouble. His first game saw the bounce help them to a win over Killie, but that has been followed by no wins in their last five games and we have edged one point closer to them by virtue of an extra draw. Inverness will be missing the suspended duo of Larnell Cole and Gary Warren. Josh Meekings, Iain Vigurs and Aaron Doran are long term absentees. David Raven missed last weekend with a groin strain and is a doubt as is fellow defender Jamie McCart. One massive blow to our hopes is that Billy Mckay is struggling to make this one. Jake Mulraney featured for the development squad in midweek and he will benefit from some game time. Kev McNaughton played last weekend against St Johnstone, but maybe found the pace too much given his lengthy spell out and the role he was offered, but his quality showed through. Motherwell have Keith Lasley suspended for this game. Stephen McManus is recovering from a groin operation and is not expected back yet. Richard Tait has also been under the knife and is out having missed the last seven games. Louis Moult is a doubt for this game. tm4tj prediction:- I despair watching the Caley Jags at the moment. The lack of passion is evident, the lack of quality is evident, the lack of ambition is evident, the lack of creation is evident. On this evidence, we are heading one way unless the manager and players can find something that's been missing all season. I don't hold out much hope for a win, maybe a draw, but it's who wants it the most. Home win looks likeliest. Other games in the relegation watch this weekend:- Dundee v Hamilton. Dundee have lost their last 6 games on the bounce. Accies have 2 wins & 2 draws in last 6. Killie v Hearts. Killie are on the verge of safety, a win over Hearts would make them unlikely candidates.

Well Well Well. Wednesday night in Lanarkshire and Inverness were the visitors to Fir Park under the floodlights with both clubs hovering just outside the top-six. It was the visitors that took all three points with an ultimately convincing win, although it never looked that way at the break. Tremarco, Doumbouya and Polworth scored the goals as Motherwell capitulated in the second half. Richie Foran elected to start with Aaron Doran wide replacing Jake Mulraney who drops to the bench. Lonsana Doumbouya retained the strikers jersey. Mark McGhee had Lionel Ainsworth, James McFadden and Scott McDonald on the bench, opting for the youth of Ross McLean and Jack McMillan with Louis Moult the danger man. A promising start for the visitors and a couple of headers go off target, Doumbouya rising highest in the box from a corner but not finding the target. A clash of heads has Carl Tremarco and Richard Tait receiving treatment, the Inverness player donning a bandage before continuing. Soon after this, Liam Polworth hit a long range effort that goes just wide and Motherwell's Craig Clay does likewise at the other end. It's tit for tat stuff halfway through the first half and although the visitors are getting their fair share of the ball, they lack penetration, Brad Mckay foraging well on the right though. Louis Moult made his first telling contribution but his shot hits the side netting on the half hour, and at the other end Doumbouya heads just wide again. Shortly after, Doumbouya and Vigurs combine, but the latter fires over. Just before the break a bit of a cufuffle around our box as Cadden strikes from range. The deflection finds Moult but Mckay recovers to clear. Neither keeper has been seriously tested in a cautious first forty-five and one added minute brings the half to a close. Half Time 0-0 Moult squanders the first chance of the second period as a deep cross is headed over Fon Williams' bar, and Mckay continues where he left off in the first half, but no takers for his cross that fizzes across the box. However, his persistence pays off as he pings another cross into the box and Carl Tremarco meets it on the slide six yards out to knock it in off the underside of the bar. Billy King replaced Doran just after the hour, the Irishman not best pleased by that decision from the gaffer, rightly so as he had been fairly promising all night. The home side react by bringing on Scott McDonald for Bowman as they search for an equaliser. But it's the visitors that take the game forward and Samson has to tip a Polworth shot round the post for a corner. Tremarco and Warren combine well........ in attack, and win a corner. Total football mun. From the corner, the much maligned Doumbouya knocks home from the centre of the six yard box when the ball fell to him, his initial header blocked and dropping at his feet. Great reply from the big man after taking some stick over the last couple of weeks for missing a couple of relatively simple chances. Motherwell clutching at straws now and desperately firing a couple of shots from distance but they don't trouble Fon Williams and with around fifteen minutes to go McGhee makes his last throw of the dice and on come McFadden and Ainsworth for Clay and Maclean. Moult does find the net but is adjudged to be off side, much relief in the visitors ranks. Could be a testing last quarter of the game. Doumbouya should have scored his second of the night but his downward header from three yards bounced up and over the crossbar after a delightful flighted cross from Polworth. However, Liam Polworth had other ideas about a Well revival and rifled a low shot from twenty-five yards to kill off any thoughts of a Motherwell revival. Thumping shot from Polly who makes a habit of this at times, the ball finding the bottom corner with the keeper diving full length to his right. Billy King was the provider for Liam to slash the ball home. A couple of efforts either end after the goal but the result is a formality now and Inverness keep a clean sheet into the bargain to record an excellent away win to push us back into the top-six. Full Time 0-3 A somewhat unexpected but welcome win, and after a dour first half, we swept Motherwell away with some clinical finishing. That's three wins on the trot at Fir Park. We should play there every week. Much improved performance all round and great to see Doumbouya grab another goal, that will do his confidence no harm. Fon Williams kept a clean sheet, although he was relatively untroubled Tremarco keeps on giving and Polly back on the goal trail. All good at Fir Park. Manager Richie Foran had this to say " "There was some great play all over the park, our fitness levels were spot on, and once again we're finishing the game stronger, we're going right to the final whistle, so it was good. I'm delighted for the back four getting that clean sheet". Match video from SPFL Website Date: 26/10/16 Venue: Fir Park, Motherwell Attendance: 3131 Referee: Don Robertson Motherwell: 0 Lineup: Samson, Tait, Heneghan, McManus, Moult, Bowman (McDonald 64), Cadden, Lasley, Clay (McFadden 77), MacLean (Ainsworth 78), McMillan Subs (not used): Brill, Lucas, Ferguson, Hastie Scorers: none Booked: none Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 3 Lineup: Fon-Williams, Tremarco, Warren, Meekings (Raven 86), Polworth, Draper, Doran (King 62), Vigurs, Tansey, McKay, Doumbouya (Boden 89) Subs (not used): MacKay, Mulraney, Horner Scorers: Tremarco (57), Doumbouya (71), Polworth (83) Booked: Tremarco (85) Sent Off: none a

Let's see the real Mr Vigurs After Saturday's disappointing performance, it's off to Motherwell on Wednesday night for a 19:45 kick off with both clubs vying to claim a top-six spot, one we hold on goal difference at the moment from Killie and County and one point ahead of Motherwell. Last time out we struggled to create much against a rejuvenated Kilmarnock and had to come from behind once more to snatch a late draw. Frustration was the order of the day as we were left chasing the game after Brad Mckay gave away a needless penalty with a clumsy barge on Coulibaly who scored from the spot thereafter. As we struggled to make some headway, Killie looked the likeliest to double their advantage, but as is the theme of late, we struck four minutes from the end when Lonsana Doumbouya forced home an equaliser from close range. It had been such a poor day at the office, even Ross Draper was substituted, raising eyebrows as to why the likes of Iain Vigurs had escaped the managers notice, conspicuous by his absence. He was not alone though and we really need to show a vast improvement if we want to take some points North. Motherwell faced a much sterner examination going down 2-0 at Celtic Park. With Mark McGhee setting out his stall intent on keeping Celtic out, they made life difficult for them at times but with Celtic's fire power they were always going to search for goals and so it proved with Sinclair and Dembele scoring. I doubt McGhee will be so cautious against us given our lack of creation in the final third and our midfield content to let the opposition control the pace of the game. We had four fixtures last season against the Well. Inverness won two games at Fir Park, one of these in the Cup. Motherwell won both games in the Highlands. Iain Vigurs scored a spectacular volley at Fir Park last season. Inverness had gone three goals ahead before Well staged a late recovery, but we held on to take the three points. Would be nice if he could wake from his slumber and help the team out once more. The cup game was won by another stunning goal, but Jordan Roberts is no longer on the books at the Caledonian Stadium. Ross Draper was subbed against Killie, not because of injury, but for tactical reasons. He has expressed his frustration at not being able to stay on the pitch to help the team out, but is fully committed to the overall cause. Larnell Cole was a doubt before Saturday and will still miss out with an Achilles injury. Ryan Esson is also out. Stevie Hammell is doubtful for the hosts with a hamstring injury but Carl McHugh is out. Mark McGhee is in a similar position to Richie Foran, still trying to work out his best XI with Louis Moult the most likely to score the goals, but Lionel Ainsworth appears to be out of favour so that's good news for us. tm4tj Prediction:- I'm not overly confident after our last six encounters have seen us gain one win and four draws with a solitary defeat to the Rangers. Motherwell fare slightly worse, one win, two defeats and three draws. It is however still very tight in the middle of the league and a win will catapult either side into the top-six, although we are already there (just). Well we were until Accies beat the Dons last night. Doh! I can't see where our goals are going to come from as Richie juggles his strikers around looking for the most productive solution. When Ross Draper is your top scorer, you know you have a striking problem. We will do well to get a point, but 1-1 seems to be a common score of late, and seeing as we can't keep a clean sheet either, that looks like the best bet. Richie & Josh speak to the Press ahead of tonight's game...................

Cup Defence. It's time to continue the defence of our trophy as the Scottish Cup fifth round draw takes us to Fir Park to face the 1952 & 1991 winners Motherwell. It's not the most glamorous of ties and certainly a tougher one than we would have liked at this stage, and one that Motherwell will feel they can win, but that's the luck of the draw I suppose. The transfer window came and went and it caused a bit of a stushie up North with the Greg Tansey affair taking all the headlines. The on off saga detracted slightly from the fact that Inverness did add a couple of players to our squad. Liam Hughes and Ryan Williams are both midfielders and will hopefully add a bit of craft to the squad. So, rightly or wrongly, Greg Tansey remains an Inverness Caledonian Thistle player for now amid much speculation and guesstimating. Greg's official agent is blaming a third party for all the confusion. We'll not add to the mystique and leave it at that, content that he will be pulling on an Inverness shirt this weekend. This is a cup game, but as far as league form goes there's not much between the sides and home advantage could be the deciding factor. Inverness sit just three points above Motherwell, the main disparity being a much superior goal difference. We have sored more and lost less showing a difference of 13 goals in our favour. We have played twice already this season and it's one win apiece. We opened our campaign with a 0-1 defeat to Motherwell in the Highlands. We were in a transition period then, prior to our injury ravaged era and went down rather tamely to an early Wes Fletcher goal. In the reverse fixture at Motherwell we pulled of a surprise but nonetheless welcome 3-1 victory. A Greg Tansey penalty and a Miles Storey deflected strike saw us go in at the break two ahead. Iain Vigurs scored a superb volley after the break before Louis Moult pulled one back for the Well. But that's how it ended, 1-3 for Inverness and a mini revival started in December to boost our points tally. Motherwell made their way to this stage by thrashing Cove Rangers 5-0. They took just two minutes to open the scoring through Moult and were 2-0 up after six minutes when Scott McDonald scored. Further counters from Marvin Johnson and Stephen Pearson put them in at the break four up and Pearson added his second to end the scoring after the hour. Since that game, the Steelmen have been thrashed 6-0 by Hearts, lost 2-1 to County, drawn with Dundee and lost a late goal when slipping to defeat at Partick. While Motherwell were cruising into the next round, we made heavy weather of our tie at Forthbank and Stirling Albion fully deserved another crack at their Premier opponents. It took two spectacular goals to see off the Binos in the replay, many Inverness fans just happy to get into the draw, but not overjoyed by another lack lustre performance. Their pessimism justified in our next league game, a drab 0-0 draw with Partick following on from defeat at Kilmarnock. Carl Tremarco is the latest player to extend his contract. That comes on top of Gary Warren, Ryan Esson and Ross Draper putting pen to paper, so some good news for Caley Jags fans after a nail biting transfer window comes to a close. Inverness can call on their new signings to boost the squad. Yogi looks likely to flood the midfield given our lack of strikers available. Dean Brill is almost ready to pull his gloves on, but Aaron Doran and Josh Meekings are out. James Vincent has been a recent omission and his box to box play has been missed. Richie Foran and Jordan Roberts continue their rehab on the bench. The unfortunate Alex Fisher is out for six weeks with a chipped ankle bone. Motherwell have added Morgaro Gomis on loan from Hearts, and he is eligible for this game. A couple of notable outs is David Clarkson who has been loaned to St Mirren and midfielder Liam Grimshaw has returned to Manchester United. There's not much fresh news coming out of Fir Park, but defender Ben Roberts is reported to be struggling to make this one. tm4tj Prediction:- It's a chance to forget the rigours of league football and serve up a footballing treat for the fans. Inverness as holders will be looking to remain in contention and Motherwell will be hoping home advantage will benefit them. On paper, it should be tight. Louis Moult will be one to keep an eye on. He has scored 13 goals this season and has picked up 5 yellow cards, so one way or another, an exciting prospect. We have been under the hammer recently, struggling to create sufficient opportunities for Miles Storey, but the young striker has been plugging away and the goals will come, eight so far for him. Our last game at Fir Park saw us run out 3-1 winners, it'll be tighter than that and might take a replay to sort this one out. Of course, we have put Motherwell out of the cup at Fir Park before. Barry Wilson scored with a spectacular goal from all of 75 yards. I believe next season it will be up to 80 yards, gets better with every passing year. Bring it on! The romance of the Cup goes on for some teams. Ross County have an intriguing home tie against the first Junior side to reach the 5th round, Linlithgow Rose. They are well travelled in their quest for cup glory having been to Galashiels, Inverness, Wick and Forfar. Good luck to Ross County in that one. The big tie is the Capital clash that pits Hearts at home to Hibernian, a club looking for their first Scottish Cup triumph in over a century. And good luck to East Kilbride as they try to inflict Celtic's third domestic defeat in a row. We are all East Kilbride. Shock troopers Annan Athletic were rewarded with a home tie against Greenock Morton after pumping Hamilton 4-1 in the last round. There's an early kick off at Ibrox where Championship leaders the Rangers take on Premiership strugglers, managerless Kilmarnock, and an all Premiership game at Tannadice as basement side United play Partick Thistle. The final tie has Dundee visiting the Sons of the Rock at Dumbarton.

I wasn't expecting that Inverness defied the odds to surprise even their most ardent of fans with a tremendous 1-3 win at Fir Park. A re-taken Greg Tansey penalty opened the scoring and Miles Storey added a second just before the interval. Iain Vigurs crashed home a superb third ten minutes after the break before Motherwell's Louis Moult poked in a consolation for the Steelmen soon after. To complete Wells misery, Stephen McManus was red carded in stoppage time. Inverness were down to the bare bones and by the time the final whistle went the bones were even barer as Ryan Christie and Miles Storey had to leave the field suffering from injury. Miles Storey managed to make the starting eleven and Gary Warren was on the bench along with Dani Lopez and Nat Wedderburn, but there was no place for utility man Danny Williams anywhere as he was suffering from a groin injury. Lewis Horner filled in for the suspended David Raven at right back. Motherwell managed to get Stephen Pearson fit enough for duty and he started. Theo Robinson and Wes Fletcher began on the bench with Scott MacDonald expected to score the goals and the talented Lionel Ainsworth to be one of the main providers. Inverness were minus a teamful of players and John Hughes had to sit in the stand. It was looking bleak for the Caley Jags, so much so that even the supporters bus was not required as they joined in the general malaise. Johndo will take over from here and give us a full match report when he has recovered from the shock of seeing the team win................................ Well was it worth the 180+ mile car journey in the persisting rain, an even worse return leg added to by a gale force wind, staying in Hamilton overnight, trains cancelled, getting a bus to Motherwell, getting lost, the Himalayan trek to the South Stand, a taxi back home and winning the Stoke v Chelsea first scorer sweep and not being there to pick up the winnings - presumably drunk by my compadres - Ya bet yer feckin bottom dollar it was. I thought that was as good a performance as we have put in this season. I thought that we deserved to win. Not a bad feat away from home with half a feckin squad to pick from and the manager in the stands. The Well crowd were so painful. On looking at the highlights / replays I think that he got every decision spot on. Well may well have had the lions share of the possession and considerably more shots (not on target !!) but we were relatively comfortable - apart from a companion who said that he would settle for 3-3 with 20 minutes to go - (hope he feckin choked on my Arnutovic winnings !! Looked like we went 4-4-1-1 to begin with - four at the back - a diamond in the middle with Tansey at the rear and Vincent up top - Christie roving and Storey running the line. Oh and two Development players on the bench. I thought that we played some lovely stuff in the first 20 minutes. Christie let fly with a curling left footer that went just wide and we were looking in charge. In some ways the early penalty goal changed our outlook. As fer the penalty - it was soft but you simply do not raise yer hand in a crowded goalmouth. Again a yellow is harsh but those are the rules. Tansey made it a replay of last week and the keeper sussed it. And again Thompson got it "spot-on" with the retake decision and TANSEY fired this one down the middle. Both Law and Storey encroached. But poor Well felt hard done by. WELL what they should have done was to concentrate on getting a shot on target plus their final passes were shocking. But they cascaded derision on Craig Thompson instead. We always looked more like scoring in the first half apart from a cracker that hit our crossbar. We may have thought that it was all over when we lost Christie and our shape. Lopez went into the Christie role which is OK'ish when he has Storey beside him. And STOREY neatly got himself in to a scoring position and abetted by a wicked deflection the ball sailed in the net to put us 2-0 up at half time. I had to laff at our substitutes at half time. The sight of Wedderburn and Warren playing passball with MacRae and Sutherland was like watching the Hulk, Spiderman and two of Snowwhite's dwarves. So onto the second and preparing for an onslaught which did come but not before Goal of the Season, probably even more satisfying as it was clearly straight out of the training ground. Superb flighted corner from Tansey and as sweet a strike from VIGURS as you will ever see. After that it was Well, Well, Well but we defended stoutly and always looked a danger on the break. May be harsh but I though that Fon Williams was at fault with the goal. It came at the perfect time for Well but they did not cash in on it. Perhaps they were too intent on chastising and calling Mr. Thompson !! Plus we never looked like scoring after Storey departed - clutching his hamstring again. But we hung on in there and thoroughly deserved the three points. And the 111 Highlanders went home happy - and what a feckin noise at the end with the acoustics of an empty stand FON WILLIAMS Despite the pressure he really did not have that much to do. Thought he misjudged the cross for their goal. Also I hate seeing keepers punch instead of holding. HORNER For a left footer squad player to fit in at right back was no mean feat. Didn't offer much going forward but defended stoutly. MEEKINGS Both central defenders were heroic DEVINE Both central defenders were heroic TREMARCO More of his type of game with little thought of going forward but tackling tigerishly - apart from the cross that ended in their goal. TANSEY More feckin like it - he controlled the game from deep. POLWORTH Shaded (just) MOM fer me. Great shift with doses of skill to put. Did that stare at Lopez after the hospital pass not scare you ?!! VIGURS Too much of a luxury fer us at the moment but a good "shoe-in" and the best possible bench warmer. What a feckin goal !! VINCENT I thought that he put in a great shift and was always on hand to help the attackers. CHRISTIE Usual before the early injury - hopefully a twinge. STOREY I suppose that we had little option but he really looked as if he was struggling and "Draperish" carrying an injury in the second half. Could never fault his effort and movement though. LOPEZ Looked OK with Storey but he is NOT a lone striker and he makes Vigurs look like Mr Dynamic. WARREN Welcome back skipper. Glad we didn't start you and your entry and the way that play was developing excused changing to a 5-4-1 WEDDERBURN Is he losing weight ? Date: 03/10/15 Venue: Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall Attendance: 5473Referee: Willie Collum Motherwell: 1 Lineup: Ripley, Law, Kennedy, McManus, Chalmers, Ainsworth, Grimshaw, Pearson, Johnson (Robinson 79), McDonald (Fletcher 68), Moult Subs (not used): Samson, Laing, Clarkson, Leitch, Taylor Scorers: Moult (58) Booked: Pearson (12), Kennedy (55), McManus (64) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 3 Lineup: Fon Williams, Tremarco, Vincent, Meekings, Devine, Tansey, Horner, Polworth, Christie (Lopez 39), Vigurs (Wedderburn 79), Storey (Warren 71) Subs (not used): Esson, Sutherland, MacRae Scorers: Tansey (pen.11), Storey (45), Vigurs (53) Booked: Vigurs (17, Devine (51) Sent Off: none

From insult to injury Inverness face a tricky away day at Motherwell on Saturday as the Premier League table begins to pan out. With teams beginning to find their feet after settling down into a routine, points are getting harder to come by with any team capable of winning on the day. Motherwell will be a difficult game for us considering our injury crisis and given the runaround they gave us in the opening fixture of the season, it could be a long day at Fir Park. A win for either side could catapult them up to seventh place if other result are favourable. The defeated side will be looking over their shoulder at the relegation battle. It really is that tight. Inverness are now totally reliant on Celtic bound Ryan Christie as the sole threat and creative player as injuries cripple our squad. On top of the injuries, David Raven is suspended and to add insult to injury, John Hughes is also banned for, well, insulting the referee. Most people agree with him on that one though and maybe it's time the SFA looked at the standard of officials in this country rather than hammer those that are willing to speak out about something we all know about, but basically have just got to put up with week in week out. Last week we had to come from behind in a tale of two penalties at home to Dundee. Greg Tansey slotted our spot kick home to earn us a point as we toiled to make headway after David Raven was red carded. It's a difficult time for us just now as our squad has been decimated with injuries in a plague like manner. This is Mark McGhee's fourth game back in command at Fir Park. He started with a defeat at the hands of Celtic before a draw against Aberdeen. Things got progressively better last week when they beat Kilmarnock 1-0 at Rugby Park and they will be looking to continue their revival against us. Brian Rice will be the direct contact this week with Yogi suspended along with David Raven. I am not aware of any comebacks apart from the possibility of Dani Lopez getting nearer recovery. Whoopee I hear you all shout in unison. It would probably be easier to name who is fit, however the ones out are Dean Brill, Ross Draper, Jordan Roberts, Aaron Doran, Tobi Sho-Silva, Andrea Mutombo, Richie Foran and maybe or maybe not Dani Lopez. Two important players facing fitness tests are ooohhh Gary Warren and the swift Miles Storey. Let's hope the last two at least can get on the park or we might be totally fecked. Mark McGhee has returned to Motherwell and will now know that Stephen Pearson is also struggling for fitness, but Keith Lasley and Steve Hammell are out. tm4tj prediction:- I will be backing Mark McGhee to keep his side on track by turning our depleted troops over. Neither side has been prolific at scoring this season and both defences have been pretty frugal. I see nothing in our squad to trouble Motherwell and if Gary Warren does not get on the park then we are in big trouble. Without Storey we will have nothing to offer up front and our only hope is that superBhoy Ryan Christie can carve out some openings for himself. We have only won twice in our last fifteen visits to Motherwell and they have already stuffed us this season. It does sound a bit doom and gloom, but to be honest, it's exactly that.