Our performance against St Mirren has to be viewed relatively. We were good not brilliant and had a couple of handball decisions (Lasley and Quinn) gone against us the score could have been very different.
However, relative to last season, the performance was a night and day improvement. All the basic things which were missing were in place - work rate, organisation - and on the break some of our passing football was as crisp and sharp as it has been for years.
We have adopted an entirely new attacking system with McGarry and Clarkson having very impressive games either side of Porter. Porter may not have been flashy but he did everything well and that debut can definitely go into the solid category. Given we could be boosted by the return of Ross McCormack from injury we have a very healthy looking attack. That is possibly a good job given how we have struggled to break down Inverness in the past. They will not come at as us and leave space behind their back line for us to exploit. They have suckered us on more occasions than we care to remember and they will attempt the same trick again.
They will welcome in Niculae after he finally got his work permit but Bayne is doubtful and the large striker missing out would definitely help us. In recent months they have lost key members of their team Brown, Dods and Dargo and while they have been replaced, to a degree, it is hard to see them not being missed.
We have made an excellent start with our win at St Mirren but a lot of that good work would be undone if we slip up here. The fixture list, if not 'easy', certainly has the potential to give us an early boost. Let's make the most of it but we may have some nervy moments on the way to a 2-0 win this time.
Remember the last time Inverness were at Fir Park?