Caley Thistle midfielder Lewis Hyde reckons it is almost impossible to predict any result in the ultra-tight Championship.
The Inverness-born starlet aims to help his side blast back to winning ways against Arbroath following Friday’s 4-0 defeat at in-form Morton.
Errors opened the door for the Greenock side after a positive start by Inverness and Dougie Imrie’s Ton were clinical as they leapfrogged ICT on goal difference in second spot.
Queen’s Park are also level on 21 points, which is three points away from leaders Ayr United and one ahead of Partick Thistle.
One moment can change a match
Hyde, 20, who has already matched his appearance tally of 13 from last season, is learning fast about the high stakes in the second-tier.
He said: “The league is really competitive and games can often come down to such fine margins.
“Last Friday, for example, we created so much but come away with nothing to show for it.
“Usually when you’re creating, you will score, but one mistake can completely change the game.
“In the first five minutes against Morton, I thought we started really well, but one mistake made a difference.
“You can’t predict any game in this league. It is so tight.
“Last season was competitive, but this season is a different ball game.
“There are five points between first and seventh position, but that’s where it comes down to anything can change a game against anyone.”
Unbeaten runs put sides in title mix
Last term’s runners-up Arbroath have struggled a bit this time and are bottom of the table ahead of their visit to Inverness this Saturday, albeit just one win away from eighth-placed Cove Rangers.
Hyde refers to how Caley Thistle found a way to address a slump in form last season as they turned it around to go all the way to the Premiership play-off final.
He said: “After a bad result, you want to bounce back as soon as possible. Sometimes, you can go into a bit of a rut, but it’s all about getting back to winning ways.
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“We had 11 games (without a win) for a period last season, but we knew we could go on a run and that’s what happened.
“If you can win again as soon as possible the mood within the camp will remain positive and everyone is firing again.
“We showed recently with our five-game winning run what we can do. It’s not been a bad season in any way.
“It was a bad result at Morton, but we’ve been struggling with injuries. You just have to dig in. Any team going on a run will be up there competing.”
Dream opportunity taken by Hyde
And despite learning fast about the cruel nature of losing games, Hyde is clearly proud to be representing the club in the city he hails from.
He said: “I’m loving football at the moment. I wouldn’t say I’ve ever not loved it, but especially now playing for my hometown team.
“I’ve grown up watching the team and now I’m on the pitch playing and getting more of a chance. I can’t put into words how much it means.”
League and cup games await for ICT
November is a busy month for ICT, with a trip to Stenhousemuir a week on Saturday to tackle Owen Coyle’s shock troops Queen’s Park before hosting pacesetters Ayr on November 19.
Seven days later, League Two leaders Stirling Albion head north for the third round of the Scottish Cup.
- Caley Thistle’s fixture away to Queen’s Park on Saturday, November 12, at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir, will now kick off at 5.30pm. This will follow the host club’s League 2 match against East Fife.
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