6/10
LEAGUE: (2012-13 - 4th, 54pts)
SCOTTISH CUP: Quarter finals
LEAGUE CUP: Final
MOST USED FIRST XI: Dean Brill, David Raven, Gary Warren, Josh Meekings, Graeme Shinnie, Ross Draper, Richie Foran, Aaron Doran, James Vincent, Nick Ross, Billy Mckay
OVERVIEW: A second top five finish should feel like a success, but Caley Thistle dropped off dramatically after a bright start...or, to be honest, after John Hughes was appointed to replace Terry Butcher in December. It took till the final match of the season for ICT to earn more points with Yogi at the helm (29 from 25 games) than they did without him (28 from 13 games). Some of that can be blamed on the distraction of the run to the League Cup final and the subsequent fixture pile-up, but drastic changes to the team's playing style did not reap dividends. In the end, it feels like a case of "what could have been".
HIGH POINTS: The sensational opening few months, which left the club in second in the table, demonstrated some of the best football ever seen in these parts. But, for moments of sheer euphoria, the win on penalties against Hearts in the League Cup and two derby wins in Dingwall might not be topped for a while.
LOW POINTS: The tame, defensive tactics used in the League Cup Final felt like a huge letdown, especially given the atmosphere and the support. Crashing 6-0 and 5-0 at Celtic Park, and 5-0 at home to Dundee United live on TV in the Scottish Cup, were just embarrassing.
STAR MAN: Graeme Shinnie stepped up a gear this season, proving himself to be excellent not just in his natural left-back role, but on the opposite side and even in central midfield. He walked away with all the club's end of season awards, and probably would have got international recognition but for the emergence of Andrew Robertson.
ONE FOR THE FUTURE: Ryan Christie, son of former captain and manager Charlie, was given his chance by Hughes and has grabbed it in style, with a goal in each of his three starts. For me, he is the greatest talent the club has ever produced.
WASTE OF SPACE: Curtis Allen got injured just after arriving, and never found enough fitness to warrant selection for the first team. His return to Northern Ireland in January was one of the reasons why the club were woefully short of alternatives to Billy Mckay up front.
THE BOSS: Yogi is a bit of a decisive figure amongst the support, and his record so far at the club, whilst not nearly as abysmal as that of our former manager's at Hibs, is a huge drop off from the previous 18 months. His insistence on a passing game has often led to slow, directionless play, and loss of possession in dangerous areas. It's fair to say that the team look far better when he reverts back to the quicker, more direct style of his predecessor. Maybe a summer of drilling the squad will lead to better results next season. Or maybe not. To be honest, I'd forgive him a fair bit if he stopped firing his Cliche Cannon every time he did an interview. That comment about "drinking from the well" was just the most cringeworthy.
PROSPECTS FOR NEXT SEASON: This is a talented squad, it really is. And therefore a third consecutive finish in the top half of the table is a fairly modest target in my opinion. But everything depends on whether Yogi can either prove me wrong and get his way of playing to produce dividends, or alternatively if he just goes back to the Butcher way, which will do just fine.
FIRST TEAMERS DEFINITELY LEAVING: Matthew Cooper, Adam Evans, Conor Pepper
L.
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