Inverness- 24h On

Last updated : 10 September 2006 By Firparkcorner

Not a lucky ball
If Inverness had devised some inspired tactical plan or if they had acquired an outstanding set of new players during the transfer window then we might have fashioned an excuse.

Had we been decimated with injuries then the team may have deserved some sympathy but only Corrigan was missing. If the pitch was hard and rutted or soaked and swamp-like or had there been a strong wind, we might have claimed ‘nae luck'. But the weather and pitch were perfect.

Put simply, we deserved to lose. Our defenders were awful and our attackers spurned easy chances. We managed to lose to an Inverness team which played in exactly the same style as they had in their four previous wins at Fir Park. It was no surprise that they set out their stall with the four big lads at the back and a defensive formation. What disappointed above all was that we seemed to have no idea how to break them down.

Oh dear!

We all know that Smith had a nightmare and that each of the players were, at best, below par but our right winger deserves special mention. To describe McBride as ineffective understates his situation. ‘Worse than a man short' is nearer the mark. He rarely made any attempt to beat his man and get behind the defence and his first half miss in front of goal should haunt him for weeks.

What of the manager? His doleful post match interview on the radio might have driven some of the more depressed among us to self harm. He will have to adopt a more animated public face. His retreat to the dugout in the face of a heavy defeat does nothing to convince us of his belief in the team.

We face Hearts next weekend and must be at long odds. Dunfermline have to visit Parkhead and with any luck we'll not be detached. But unless there is a distinct change in attitude and an elimination of individual errors we could be out of the race by Christmas.