Fan Review: Mixed fortunes for Caley Thistle to begin in 2024
This article is part of our fan review series, all thoughts and opinions are contributed by Caley Thistle fans and not by The Inverness Courier.
The New Year has brought mixed fortunes for Caley Thistle who have started off with a defeat to Airdrieonians before bouncing back with a victory over Ayr United.
Last Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat in Airdrie also lead to the sending off of manager Duncan Ferguson for the second time in his short tenure in Inverness.
However, goals from record scorer Billy Mckay and a brace from loan defender Morgan Boyes saw a vastly improved performance at Somerset Park giving Caley Thistle the 3 points after a 3-1 victory against Ayr United.
Attending both matches during the New Year period was lifelong fan Angus Robertson. Angus (20) from Nairn is a previous season ticket holder, though he now studies in Glasgow and attends as many home and away matches as he can make.
He believed that the defeat to Airdrie last Tuesday showed that the ‘honeymoon period’ of having a new manager was now over.
“Caley Thistle provided its most lacklustre performance of the season at the Excelsior Stadium.
“Despite the poor results of recent the match against Airdrie was the first in which the Jags provided no offensive threat.”
Angus questions Duncan Ferguson’s decision not to start the game with a striker on the pitch and questioned the commitment of many on the park.
“The result comes as no surprise as Ferguson failed to name a recognised striker in the lineup.
“Although Caley managed to maintain possession in the oppositions final third the team seemed unwilling to take on their opposite number, with typical culprits like Shaw and Harper opting to play a safe pass instead.
“Teams unable to take risks to create chances will ultimately fall short of taking home any points.
“It is evident that Ferguson is not the messiah we prophesied after his six game unbeaten streak in the league at the start of his tenure.”
Angus noticed a marked improvement in the match against Ayr all over the pitch with a night and day performance seeing the 3 points come back to Inverness.
“We were a completely different team against Ayr, players looked much more keen to take risks and create chances and ultimately it played off.
“For the first goal Anderson was very alert to get it past the keeper to Billy, while the build up from Shaw and Harper to get it into Boyes for the second was very good.
“Mark Ridgers proved why he has been our number one for so many years again with an outstanding performance helping us to victory.”
Looking ahead this season, Angus concedes that a push for promotion is unlikely but that the fans have to get behind the manager who he hopes can strengthen enough to steady the club into the last half of the season.
“Supporters must stick behind the manager, as after all managing to steer Caley away from relegation with what is essentially still the team of Billy Dodds is a momentous achievement.
“With minimal standout players besides Billy Mckay and the injured Roddy McGregor, Ferguson is doing well to keep Caley Thistle in the safety zone.
“After the shock result against Ayr on Saturday this holds true, emphasising that Ferguson is capable to journey home to the Highlands victorious despite the inadequacy of the team.
“January needs to be spent bulking up the squad, ensuring the thin selection of players are supplemented with enough talent to guarantee survival.”
Angus is confident however with a full summer window that Ferguson will be able to transform Caley Thistle’s aspirations next season.
“The question of the success that will come to the Caledonian Stadium will be after Duncan has a summer transfer window under his belt.
“It is apparent a successful summer window in which Dunc exploits his influential contacts is needed to bring the Pride of the Highlands back to their rightful place in the Scottish Premiership.”
If you are a Caley Thistle fan and you would like to share your thoughts on a league game this season, contact craig.mclean@hnmedia.co.uk for a chance to feature.