Morton -V- Inverness CT - Preview

[tm4tj]

Points still required.

 

Penultimate game before the play offs and it's another away day as we head to Greenock to take on Morton this Saturday. 3:00pm kick off at Cappielow and we still need three points to ensure third place in the table unless Partick lose as well. Anything is possible in this league. In fairness to Dodds and his team, we are more than capable of getting to the final of the play-offs, but inconsistency could be our downfall. Depends what team turns up on the day. I won't be too despondent should we fail to win at Cappielow, but come the play-offs, we must be at our best. Attitude, aptitude and commitment will be crucial to the outcome of our season. 

 

MATCH/TICKETS/STREAMING/INFO

SUPPORTERS BUS 07462 218717

Morton bus now leaving Caley Club at 9.15, stadium 9.30

 

Venue - Head2Head

Pld

Won

Drn

Lst

For

Agst

+ / -

Home	19	12	4	3	46	17	+29
Away	16	9	3	4	34	19	+15
Neutral	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	35	21	7	7	80	36	+44

Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Morton

0 - 1 (H)

6 - 1 (A)

1 - 1 (A)

1 - 1 (H)

2 - 0 (H)

4 - 1 (A)

0 - 1 (H)

2 - 2 (A)

3 - 2 (H)

1 - 2 (A)

An out of character 6-1 humping of Morton has been the highlight of our season, apart from that, the other two league games against Morton have been rubbish. They also knocked us out of the Scottish Cup after two draws and a penalty shoot-out.

CTO Oct16th: Caley Jags open up a gap: Inverness extended their lead at the top of the Championship as the Pars got a late leveller against Killie. The hosts opened the scoring after twenty minutes through Billy Mckay with the credit for the assist going to Mark Ridgers from his quick goal kick. Inverness stepped up a gear after the interval and Michael Gardyne scored the second early in the second half as he crashed a loose ball in the box high into the net. That was enough to see off Morton who battled hard throughout but fell short. It could have been a different story had the visitors made more of their own opportunities. Five points clear after the first quarter: Who knew?

CTO Dec11th: Gubbed, at last: Managerless bottom club Morton were gubbed. There's no other word for it. Caley Jags were rampant after a couple of drab draws in the Scottish Cup. I'll credit Aaron Doran with the opener when his cross to the back post ended up in the net as Hamilton tried to claw it clear. Sutherland got the second after a Billy Mckay shot was blocked at close range. Mckay got his own when he rolled the ball in off the post. Boss! Just on the interval Ugwu scored from the spot to offer Morton a lifeline. Reece McAlear scored a fekkin screamer, what can only be described as a piledriver. What a strike that was! The ever alert Sutherland added a fifth and it was no surprise when Jamieson dribbled his way into the box and slotted home the sixth. This has been coming for weeks, but today was maybe the day the Caley Jags believed in themselves. Boom!

CTO Feb5th: Absolute dross: What a shitfest of a game. We were an absolute shambles from the start and Morton were all over us like a rash. Lewis Strapp scored the only goal of the game after Chalmers failed to cover in midfield. When the loose ball was knocked forward, defender Strapp got to it first and poked it through Mark Ridgers legs. Pathetic stuff from Inverness and we did nothing about trying to change the way the game was going. A shot from Pearson the only thing of note over ninety minutes of a stop start game that would not have looked out of place at the Bught Park. We were clueless for 95 minutes and deserved nothing. No surprise really given our recent performances, but totally depressing stuff to watch.

Both cup games were dire 1-1 draws with Morton winning the shoot-out. Incidentally, that 6-1 win at Cappielow signalled the start of our dismal eleven game streak of no wins, gaining only six points from a possible thirty-three. Thankfully Raith Rovers went on a similar run at the same time and Partick blew hot and cold, mostly cold so that's why we are where we are today.

Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts ***KILLIE V ARBROATH - FRIDAY NIGHT*** 1. Kilmarnock 34 19 6 9 47 25 63 2. Arbroath 34 16 14 4 50 26 62 3. Inverness CT 34 14 11 9 48 34 53 4. Partick Thistle 34 13 10 11 44 37 49 5. Raith Rovers 34 11 13 10 41 43 46 6. Hamilton Ac. 34 10 12 12 38 47 42 7. Morton 34 9 13 12 36 43 40 8. Ayr United 34 8 11 15 35 50 35 9. Dunfermline 34 7 14 13 35 50 35 10. Q.O.S. 34 7 8 19 33 52 29

Apr 23rd 2022

    Queens v Ayr United 

        Partick v Dunfermline 

Morton v Caley J 

Accies v Rovers 

Last Time Out

We fluffed our lines once more against a bottom side as we went down 2-1 at Palmerston against a Queen of the South side heading for a lower division unless you believe in miracles. Josh Todd gave Queens an early advantage before Logan Chalmers scored his fifth spectacular goal in as many games. However we looked weary and Queens regained the lead five minutes before the break through Euan East. That's how it ended as we struggled to rise above mediocrity with Queens having the greater desire.

Morton have eased themselves away to the top edge of the relegation zone and are virtually safe, but, like us, will be looking for points to ensure they get the job done without relying on others. They blew that opportunity after going down 1-0 at home to nearest rivals Hamilton Accies last time out who now find themselves safe. It was an early David Moyo goal that did the damage and left Morton still needing a couple of points.

Latest Team News

We rested some in midweek although you could have been excused for thinking that all were having a break. Allardice is a long term casualty and Broadfoot was rested completely after feeling an olde war wound. Sean Welsh and Danny Devine were in the wars, Devine cutting his head in a clash with the woodwork. I believe the post is ok and Danny was patched up. We have never been great at resting players, our squad is too thin to do that comfortably, so maybe we should just go for it and put this to bed. Read more in the OFFICIAL PREVIEW

Morton have no new alterations since we last played them with Dougie Imrie at the helm.

 

 

View full article

 

[Robert]

Personally I’d like to see a good performance and a comfortable win tomorrow, but I’d take a scrappy 1-0 win as long as we avoid injuries.

Momentum can be key at this stage in the season so ending the normal league campaign with two wins needs to be the target.

Partick have Dunfermline and Ayr to play, both scrapping to avoid the relegation play off, so they are likely to drop points, but for once we should keep things in our own hands rather than relying on others.

I wonder if MacGregor is match fit enough to get a start. Getting him game time before the play offs could be vital.

And hopefully it is a much better livestream than Tuesday’s debacle. I recall the Morton commentators being good fun and informative so hopefully it is the same guys doing it. 

Edited April 22, 2022 by Robert

[tm4tj]

With Killie now confirmed as Champions, 2-1 tonight, we now know that Arbroath lie in wait for the winner of 3rd/4th place tie.

Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Kilmarnock 35 20 6 9 49 26 66 2. Arbroath 35 16 14 5 51 28 62 3. Inverness CT 34 14 11 9 48 34 53 4. Partick Thistle 34 13 10 11 44 37 49 5. Raith Rovers 34 11 13 10 41 43 46 6. Hamilton Ac. 34 10 12 12 38 47 42 7. Morton 34 9 13 12 36 43 40 8. Ayr United 34 8 11 15 35 50 35 9. Dunfermline 34 7 14 13 35 50 35 10. Q.O.S. 34 7 8 19 33 52 29

[Kingsmills]

3 points, however gained, and the ability to rest key players for the final game of the regular season please.

[IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER]

Get ready for a vodka fuelled Smileymometer later.

[tm4tj]

[Robert]

Short of subs again. We know about Devine and Allardice. Anyone know the issues that mean we don’t have Sutherland or Chalmers?

[tm4tj]

Either injured or bigger fish to fry.

[Robert]

Hopefully they are not risks for the play off games. 

[Robert]

Welsh booked after 50 seconds after a poor touch gave the ball away and fouling the player who picked it up.

Waken up guys!!

[Kingsmills]

7 minutes ago, Robert said:

Hopefully they are not risks for the play off games. 

Hopefully, they are risks for the play off games. Risks to the opposition!

[Robert]

Samuels played in by Doran and should have buried it but took an extra touch.

Scrappy so far.

MacGregor looking good though. 

[Robert]

MacGregor! 1-0!

Shot with his left foot from just outside the box into bottom corner.

Morton gave him space but a very well placed finish to beat the goalie. Carson picked him out from a throw in. 

Edited April 23, 2022 by Robert

[IBM]

Good goal from MacGregor!

[No Shin Guards]

27 minutes ago, Robert said:

Welsh booked after 50 seconds after a poor touch gave the ball away and fouling the player who picked it up.

Waken up guys!!

I say, Welsh doing a Vigurs? 

[Robert]

3 minutes ago, No Shin Guards said:

I say, Welsh doing a Vigurs? 

Not really. Just bundled the player over after he gave the ball away. Morton were calling for a red but it wasn’t a clear goal scoring opportunity. 

[Robert]

Pretty scrappy game but we just about deserve to be ahead. MacGregor’s goal the only real highlight although Samuels should have scored when played in well by Doran and Mckay had a decent effort after a great ball by Carson.

We continue to play too many long high balls.

Morton have had plenty of the ball in our half but have not troubled us too much.

Welsh and Samuels both booked so maybe we will have changes in the second half.

We could do with another goal.

[+snorbens_caleyman]

Usual aimless, unstructured game.   If we can't put Morton to bed, then what chances in the play-off?

Need to establish authority with another goal early in the second half, or this one could drift away from us.

[Robert]

Walsh on for Doran after 49 minutes. Doran has had a pretty good game. Presumably to rest him for the weeks ahead whilst giving Walsh game time. 

[Robert]

Should be 2 up. Great break by Walsh with Mckay in support and he should have scored but blocked on the line. 

[Robert]

Harper on for Samuels. 

[Robert]

Full time. 1-0 and job done in terms of third place.

Not the best game but we did have chances we should have taken.

Morton had most of the ball in the second half but seldom troubled us.

Good to see MacGregor back and his goal was well taken.

[Kingsmills]

Job done. Third place and Partick Thistle it is.

From where we were a few weeks ago that is about as good as we could have hoped for.

Now the real work begins and, now that we know who we are playing and when, that starts with the club marketing the home leg as widely and as fully as possible.

This is possibly the most important match at the stadium since we beat St Johnstone in front of a full house all those years ago to, after a bit of a legal wrangle, gain our first promotion to the top flight all those years ago.

Assuming the tie remains competitive after the first leg, which it almost certainly will be, Patrick are likely to fill the South Stand with highly vocal fans.

We need to ensure that, as well as the team being up for it, the fans are up for it and outnumber and outsing them.

[Rasczak]

12 minutes ago, Kingsmills said:

Job done. Third place and Partick Thistle it is.

Not absolutely guaranteed Partick yet, Raith are 3 points and 8 goals behind, so it could still be them, but Partick certainly have the significant advantage. Though as Raith play the already promoted Kilmarnock and Partick play the still fighting to avoid relegation playoff Ayr in the last games, it's by no means a done deal.

[Robert]

The livestream was good, other than the camera not picking up the nearside touch line and the commentators were good, particularly Andy Ritchie who was very complimentary about the work done by some of our players, picking out Doran and Mckay in particular.

Not a classic but we closed the game down and did enough to get the win with no apparent injuries, although the timing of Doran’s may indicate he was carrying a knock.

With more composure, Samuels and Walsh would both have had goals, whilst the ‘keeper made a great save to keep a Deas header out, so we really should have had a comfortable win.

 

Edited April 23, 2022 by Robert