GUSTY Gayfield is probably not the field of dreams Duncan Ferguson would have envisaged when he planned his managerial career and the new Caley Thistle boss could come a cropper in his first game at in-form ARBROATH.
Inverness received a huge publicity boost this week when they revealed Big Dunc as the man to replace Billy Dodds and they dominated the back pages.
He was the ‘stand-out' candidate according to the Highlands club, but his record as manager of Forest Green Rovers last season – where he managed just one win out of 18 in the five months he had in charge – would suggest perhaps the bar wasn't set at the highest.
He inherits a squad that must be low in morale having sunk to the bottom of the Championship and you do feel there is improvement there.
But they face Dick Campbell's side who are one of the most improving side in the country after a torrid start to the season.
They have won five games in a row, including against ICT in the Challenge Cup and more impressively at Partick Thistle and against Airdrie where they have rattled in seven goals without reply.
And the 5/4 on offer for a home win looks generous.
PETERHEAD are another side who are on the up and although the 4/6 is a tad skinnier than we would like, should have too much for Elgin City in a Highland derby.
The Blue Toon endured a torrid campaign last term and were relegated from league One, but they have found their level and have chalked up three wins on the spin against high-flying
Bonnyrigg Rose and Dumbarton in the league and at League One Annan Athletic in the Challenge Cup.
New Elgin hoss Barry Smith won his opening game against Dumbarton, but went down to a defeat at Clyde last week and Peterhead's co-managers of Jordon Brown and Ryan Strachan can guide them to a win.
LIVINGSTON are worth backing at 15/8 to win at St Johnstone.
David Martindale'sside were in midweek action at Ibrox and although well beaten, that can be forgiven.
The Lions are about to go under new ownership but it shouldn't impact on the pitch. They continue to plod along without really being in any kind of relegation danger.
The same cannot be said of the Saints who have yet to win a league game this season and have a very young squad.
Yet they are favourits for this Perth clash and Livi look overpriced.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ARBROATH 5/4
PETERHEAD 4/6
LIVINGSTON 15/8.
Freelance Scottish Football journalist for all newspapers. Former Racing Post Scottish Football Correspondent and long-suffering Aberdeen fan.
