What do you call a team without a manager? 
Bearing this thought in mind you’d have to feel that the Pars will enter this Saturday’s fixture against the
Going into this Saturday’s crucial fixture without recently-departed manager John Robertson, the Caley players will be desperate to convince any would-be manager sitting in the stand - or the dugout (read Paul Hegarty) - as to their worth to the side. Although, with the transfer window not open until January and most of the Caley board’s dosh going straight into the pocket of Stewart Milne, one can’t imagine that the next Caley manager will be able to splash out millions of pounds on new players. After a fairly slow start to the campaign, the newly-promoted Caley side are beginning to find their feet in the SPL, winning two and drawing one in their last three fixtures and, although not flooded with stars, the Inverness side are starting to make a name for themselves as a spirited, hard-working side – remind you of anyone? Despite a fairly weak defence, Caley do boast a competent forward line with the likes of summer signings Juanjo and Graham Bayne – scoring two in his last two games – making an impact for the side. Although without ‘Robbo’ in charge of the side you can always hope for a dramatic dip in performance and confidence levels come this Saturday!
In their short history, Caley Thistle have only faced the Pars eight times – including the two memorable Scottish Cup ties last season – with the Pars winning half of the fixtures, the Pars only loss against the Inverness side coming only months ago after Ross Tokely and Juanjo goals condemned the Pars to an embarrassing 2-0 defeat at Pittodrie on Sunday August the 15th. The record against Caley Thistle at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ (or East End Park, for any non-believers out there!) sees the Pars winning two out of three ties, the other – a CIS Cup tie – finishing in a 1-1 draw after the ninety minutes, before Caley convincingly overcame the Pars 4-1 from the penalty spot.
The aforementioned 2-0 loss gave Caley their first ever SPL victory, the win coming just eight days after they were unceremoniously humped by Livingston on the opening day of the season. The disgraceful loss and performance by the Pars seem to signal the grave times which consequently lay ahead. Described by some as one of the worst Pars performances in years – although the recent Almondvale performance will surely have disproved that statement – the Pars were never at the races, looking sluggish and uninterested, coming second to almost every ball. Although the performance was simply dismissed as a hangover from the UEFA Cup match – the 2-2 away draw with FH Hafnarfjordur – which took part only three days prior, deeper problems appeared to be rearing their ugly head with some Pars players looking desperately unfit. A repeat performance this Saturday and, unlike certain other SPL clubs, we’ll unfortunately be unable to blame any UEFA Cup tie for this one!
With the injuries of Greg Shields and Derek Young coming as somewhat of a shock to the Pars management and supporters ahead of last Saturday’s Tannadice victory, both look set to face late fitness tests before this Saturday’s match. However should they pass their respective fitness tests, both players may find regaining their first team slot harder than first imagined, with both players’ subsequent replacements – Ritchie Byrne and Darren Young – turning in impressive performances in the victory, both playing pivotal roles in the Pars goals. With Tuesday’s Reserve fixture bringing about an impressive performance and 3-0 victory, recent signing Stephen Bradley could be in place for a starting place after a goal scoring appearance – the Reserve fixture also witnessing the return to action of Noel Hunt, although Saturday’s match could be too soon for the Irish hit-man.
Most interesting of all however, could be the Pars frontline selection this Saturday. With Hay seemingly opting for a front two (Brewster and partner) with Simon Donnelly playing in behind the selection of Brewster’s striking partner has been the cause of much deliberation this season. The goalscoring appearance at Tannadice from Brew’s most recent strike partner, Andy Tod, could ensure the big man’s selection in the side again this coming Saturday although if any team knows how to counter the long-ball style then it surely has to be a former First Division side. However with the more-than able Thomas Butler and Billy Mehmet waiting in the wings, you’d have to imagine that it’s a problem that Davie Hay is certainly not unhappy about.
With the Pars continuing to creep up a league which has, so far this season, been staring down at Hay’s side, each game remains as important as the next, although Saturday’s game represents probably THE most important fixture of the campaign for the Pars. Win and the Pars will climb ever closer to the top six. Lose and the term ‘relegation fight’ will once again play a part in almost every single Pars interview over the course of the next week or so.
With two hard away wins, and three very decent performances, in the space of a week you could be forgiven for thinking the Pars support – which was fairly sizeable at Tannadice last Saturday – could well turn out in force this weekend for such an important fixture. Or then again, maybe not! Although any fans swithering over whether to go to