We’ve invited fans of the 42 SPFL clubs (well, some of them at least) to give us a preview of their team’s upcoming season. Let’s find out what Paul Irving thinks is in store for Inverness Caley Thistle…
Last Season’s Position – 3rd
This Season’s Prediction – 6th
Signing of the Summer – Nathaniel Wedderburn
Perhaps it’s testament to ICT’s signings this pre-season that our ‘Signing of the Summer’ has been a player from Cowdenbeath. While he might not look like a particularly exciting signing initially, he’s shown a fair degree of potential so far when playing as a central midfielder and was close to being my Man of the Match in the away tie against Astra Giurgiu last Thursday.
An absolute tank of a man, Nathaniel Wedderburn is a good passer and winner of the ball, and it looks as if there’s a player in there who’ll only improve by going full time. Despite this though he looks nothing like a footballer, more like a cross between a basketball player and a heavyweight boxer!
Key Man – Ryan Christie
I believe this is the year he’ll really come into his own. An intelligent, skillful, exciting player, this looks to be the season he’ll make his mark on Scottish football. In order for Yogi’s style of play to be effective, we need someone at the top end of the park who can make things happen and we’ve got that in Christie (all we need is someone to finish them off!). I’ve no doubt we’ll go on to play for Scotland and eventually move on to play at a higher level. He’s our best playmaker since Andrew Shinnie and he’s nearly as good as his dad!
Manager – John Hughes
Last season’s ‘PFA Manager of the Year’ has a tough task in replacing the big players who left at the end of last season. So far though his signings and trialists look like something you’d do on Football Manager but going by the performance over the two matches against Astra Giurgiu, he still has a good, attractive football team here to build on.
The big issue is scoring. David McKinney of Football First and Scotsport fame, once told me that Yogi’s Falkirk side was ‘like watching a Barcelona that didn’t score goals’. If he fails to find someone who can put the ball in the net this pre-season, that quote might be quite apt for this year as well.
Expectations
It’s always going to difficult to replicate last season. To finish third and win the Scottish Cup for a club of our size is incredible and to repeat that feat or even to better it would be almost impossible. For that reason, we’ve got to be realistic when it comes to this seasons expectations but at the same time look for the club to build on last year’s success and remain competitive at the top end of the league.
We’ve retained the workmen-like base of the side (Tansey, Draper, Warren, Raven etc.), but lost almost all of the cutting edge of it. Players like Ofere, Mckay, Shinnie, Ross and Watkins were always going to be difficult to replace but Richie Foran is back after 16 months out. Wedderburn, Welsh keeper Owain Fon Williams (pronounced Oh-Wine Von Williams…..I think!) and winger Jordan Roberts look to have some potential, but aside from the first half against Forres Mechanics, new striker Dani Lopez has been anonymous and we desperately need someone can put the ball in the net.
With sides like Aberdeen and Dundee strengthening and Hearts back in the league, a top six finish is a realistic target and a fair expectation.
About The Author
Paul Irving once saw Ryan Christie on a train in Australia and coming out of a lift in Romania. Despite this though, he insists he is not stalking him. His proudest moment is being referred to on Twitter as a ‘loudmouth hooligan’. He has only met ICT manager John Hughes once. They had a chat about dentistry.
