It all started back in 2004. Inverness were doing well in the First Division but we had won six home games in a row and though our cup quarter final would be tough, we expected to progress. Instead they scored early, stuck four or five defenders on the 18-yard line, four or five midfielders 10 yards in front of them and laughed at our attempts to break them down.
Indeed they came closer to a second on the break that day than we ever did to equalising. They clearly remembered the tactic and now they use a variant of it every time they arrive at Fir Park. In fairness they now play 4-4-2 and the midfield and forwards do try to score goals on the break often with great success but the key premise is the same; the defence sits so deep it is physically impossible to get long balls in behind them and we look pathetic attempting to pass our way through them.
An early bath for some...
The last time Inverness visited they hammered us 4-1 in what must be the lowest point of Malpas' time as manager. However it should be remembered that on that day we missed two absolute sitters McBride and Foran both poked wide of open goals and had McBride's shot given us the lead, Inverness would have been forced to change their policy. Horror show last time
Possibly it is an idea for us not to go chasing the game, we can leave our own back four deep and hope that Kerr or even Paterson manages to score with a long-range shot. McDonald is capable of winning a game from nowhere; if we at least ensure a clean sheet (or attempt to) then we always have a chance. However it is unlikely that kind of negative tactic would be acceptable to the crowd and probably even the management. Instead, Malpas must come up with something different he has after all, witnessed five near identical home defeats to
We have won the last two games we've played and we have a very winnable run coming up. We have no fresh injuries and even Ross McCormack is challenging again. It is time to be optimistic surely now we can end this hoodoo with a 2-1 win?