Ross County working hard to end goalless streak after Premiership’s lowest scorers go hat-trick of league matches without finding the net for the second time this season
Don Cowie knows that Ross County must start hitting the back of the net more often – but he insists the Staggies are working hard on the training ground to make that a reality.
Last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen was County’s third match in-a-row without scoring, marking the third time this season they have recorded that particular unwanted hat-trick across all competitions.
In fact, the Staggies are the Premiership’s lowest scorers, with just 31 goals from their 32 matches to date.
That clinical streak can make all the difference. Against the Dons, County actually had more possession, shots and significantly more corner kicks, but were undone by a moment of magic from Shayden Morris.
Matching up well against Aberdeen will provide scant consolation, though, for Staggies supporters, and Cowie knows improvements are needed for the final six matches of the campaign.
“When we came in on Monday, the conversation was about how we put a lot of effort into the game on Saturday against a very good Aberdeen team,” he said.
“We limited them to very few opportunities, but Shayden Morris scored a wonder goal. The foundation and work-rate is there, and I believe it was the same against Dundee United.
“It's then us having that creativity and impact at the other end. I think we had eight corners again at the weekend against Aberdeen. That might seem like a little thing, but we need to be better at that.
“That's, again, something we spoke about. Set-plays are a big part of the game and we need to be more of a threat, especially with how we look visually and physically.
“They are all aspects that we can be better at, to give us more opportunity to be a threat and to score goals.”
Having previously spoken about his different options in attack, Cowie has tried different tactics in recent weeks to no avail.
Away at Hearts, Kieran Phillips played as a lone striker before being partnered by Alex Samuel at home against Dundee United.
Last time out against Aberdeen, Phillips was deployed out wide, with Jack Grieves on the other flank either side of Jordan White through the middle.
Conspicuous by his absence from the starting 11 is top scorer Ronan Hale, who has not started a game since the 1-0 defeat away at St Johnstone at the end of February, but Cowie has confidence that each of his forward options can deliver when called upon.
“Alex Samuel obviously missed out at the weekend, which was frustrating on the back of him performing well against Dundee United,” Cowie added.
“He picked up a slight injury, probably from a bit of fatigue from starting his first game in three months against Dundee United, so the continuity wasn’t there in terms of him playing again last Saturday.
“Ronan, again, is someone who can play a massive part in these last six games. There are aspects of his game that he can improve, but in terms of having a natural goalscorer and having that instinct of being in the right place, Ronan has got it.
“The challenge for him, like others, is to force his way back into the starting team and show what he is really capable of doing, which I believe he can do.
“My message to them all is not everyone can start, but they must recognise the impact they can have coming off the bench.
“They must demand that of each other more. Just because they don’t start, doesn’t mean they don’t have a big part to play.
“They are all very individual, different strengths and it is all about finding that balance and best dynamic to give us the opportunity to win a game of football.”