Caley Thistle legend Ross Tokely is urging supporters to rally behind boss Billy Dodds and help the team see off Championship pacesetters Ayr United this weekend.
The Highlanders’ injury list has reached nine again, with a hamstring injury suffered in the 2-1 loss at Queen’s Park ruling out left-back Zak Delaney.
He joins fellow defenders Danny Devine, Robbie Deas, midfielders Scott Allardice and Roddy MacGregor, wingers Dan MacKay and Tom Walsh and forwards Austin Samuels and Shane Sutherland on the injury list.
Head coach Dodds confirmed last week none of these players are poised for imminent returns and he admits the number of absentees is making life tough as they seek to rejoin the title race.
Inverness are six points behind this weekend’s visitors Ayr after a five-match winless run.
A 1-0 victory over then high-flying Partick Thistle in early October was unexpected and this weekend’s showdown against Ayr has the same kind of feeling.
🔜 This Saturday we're in home action as we face Ayr United at the Caledonian Stadium
🎟️ Tickets available now – Tickets are cheaper if bought before 12pm on Saturday
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— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) November 14, 2022
Fresh start against Ayr
Tokely, who played almost 600 times for ICT all the way into the top-flight, believes the supporters can play their part at the weekend.
He said: “I was at the Partick (1-0 win) and Raith (1-1 draw) home games fairly recently and there was a positive feel about the place. Fans in these home games have to realise the team need that backing.
“Let’s forget about the current form – the fans need to get right behind the boys.
“If they could somehow find a way to win 1-0 and get three points, it would be massive.
“That doesn’t come with negativity and getting on players’ backs. They are completely down to the bare bones and the team out there will be doing all they can to get the win.
“There are fans who go to home games who don’t go to away games then there are a strong following of younger fans.
“In those games, I was at, there was a feeling as if Inverness were the underdogs because they had so many players missing.
“You’re missing the spine of your team right now, such as Robbie Deas, Roddy MacGregor and Scott Allardice.
“This current team, those who are left, are still good enough to win games in this league in my opinion.
“Best wishes to the boys on Saturday – this will be a roll-your-sleeves-up 90 minutes. Let’s battle in and get at least one point, but ideally three.”
Frustration for head coach Dodds
Tokely, 43, who now plays for Nairn County, acknowledges the pressure Dodds will be feeling as the need for wins grows game by game.
However, he hopes the side can somehow dig a result to stay within sight ahead of their Scottish Cup tie the following week against League Two opponents Stirling Albion.
He said: “The options are limited in terms of who he can put out on a Saturday, which will be frustrating for him.
“If he had everyone fit, he’d have one of the strongest teams in the Championship. Supporters can be fickle and it’s hard because they don’t have now nine players at their disposal.
“It’s a results-driven business though and fans just want to see their team win. The form isn’t great and two points from 15 shows that, but I have got a lot of sympathy for Billy.
“We’re at a stage where teams are now slightly starting to pull away, mainly Ayr. Caley Thistle are still in the mix, but Saturday is a really big game.
“At the moment, the team can’t seem to hold on to a lead. They need to find a way to grind something out. That would give the boys confidence right now. It’s all hands to the pump.”
Delaney has been ‘shining light’
Tokely, who coached weekend debutant Aaron Nicolson, believes Dodds could use more experience from the bench as the youngsters admirably plugs gaps.
He added: “For Zak to get injured is a blow because he has actually been one of the shining lights this season.
“The bench is lacking experience and the injuries are not those whereby boys will be back in two or three weeks. There are knee injuries and broken legs, all sorts.
“The young lads have done well, having been chucked in. That happened to me. I was chucked in at a young age.
“You get two or three performances (from them) then you might usually get bodies back, but it’s worrying times on the injury front.”
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