Logic says you have to go with Ross County. They have done the hard part - go to the SPL side and drawn with them on their own patch - and now they get them back at their own place. But going by that logic Exeter should have dumped Manchester United out of the FA Cup a few years ago after a spirited draw at Old Trafford. Football isn't logical, a lot of the time it doesn't make sense (any Saints fan could tell you that) and the result tomorrow is not a given.
After the initial tie, in which Richard Brittain got us out of jail so we could head to the ground with the Jailend, there was a widespread feeling from Saints fans that we had no chance in the replay. Not so - but we need to be a heck of a lot better than we were at the start of the month. That day, County showed us how to play passing football effectively. There was plenty of it but they got forward and caused us problems. We were, quite simply, awful.
I don't know why we always seem to struggle against lower league sides, irrespective of the manager, players, venue, opposition or our circumstances. We've all seen it before and we'll no doubt all see it again. However, let's try to redress the balance tomorrow. Our league record in Dingwall isn't too bad and perhaps if we think of them as an SPL side (they are top of the first division after all) then we'll get the job done.
In an ideal world we'd be able to go with the same team that did reasonably well against Motherwell the other day but we can't as Dougie Imrie isn't allowed out to play. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as while he's undoubtedly been impressive since arriving from Hamilton we've failed to score in any of the three games in which he has featured! The smart money would be on Nigel Hasselbaink taking his spot in the team as he looked good despite only getting a few minutes against Motherwell, his impressive run and spin almost winning us the match.
The rest of the team will probably be the same, the injuries to Hugh Murray, Kenny McLean and Darren McGregor limiting our options somewhat. There may be a return for David van Zanten but David Barron did reasonably well at rightback and it would be rather unfair if he was dropped - although Vanzy's dropping was a bit odd in itself. Aaron Mooy and Steven Thomson remain other options but will probably be among the subs once again.
Derek Adams said after the original tie that a replay was the last thing he wanted as the games were beginning to stack up for his side. However, even if you take out the fact they've played less games than the chasing pack they'd still be cruising towards the SPL (assuming they get their ground up to scratch). It would be nice if their desire to secure promotion sees them take it easy tomorrow night but memories of their trips to Hampden in 2010 will still be fresh and they'll fancy claiming the scalp of yet another top flight outfit.
Richard Brittain had a highly eventful afternoon 10 days ago, the former Buddie playing the pass that won his side a penalty he scored before missing one in spectacular style right in stoppage time. Even if the former player curers is now spent as far as he is concerned there is still Mark Corcoran (who earned that second penalty), Paul Lawson and possibly even David McNamee to contend with.
And that's without worrying about the rather handy players County have who haven't turned out for us in their careers. Colin McMenamin could arguably have had a hat-trick in Paisley and will be looking to make up for that, Iain Vigurs is a talent in the middle of the park when he's not blasting the ball at injured players and Michael Gardyne should be back ahead of his summer move to Dundee United. Most of these players could cut it in the SPL - as one team or as individuals at other sides - and we'll need to be 10 times better than we were in Paisley if we're to progress. We managed to see off Hamilton second time around so hopefully we can do the same with County.
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