Ross County manager Don Cowie facing up to big decisions in Dingwall as former Scotland international says picking a Staggies starting 11 is ‘most challenging’ it has ever been
Don Cowie says picking a Ross County starting 11 is currently as difficult as it has ever been during his time in charge in Dingwall.
The Staggies only have Ryan Leak absent with a long-term injury going into this weekend’s home match against Aberdeen, leading to the proverbial selection headache for Cowie and his coaching staff.
However, the 10-cap Scotland international believes it can only help the team’s performances on the pitch, and says he is well-versed in keeping a cool head when it comes to high-pressure situations.
This week he will stick to his routine to ensure the players are as prepared as they can be for the visit of the Dons, and for his own part Cowie knows how important it can be to not obsess over football and the decisions he has to make at a crucial juncture of the campaign.
“Having that really competitive squad that is pushing each other is what we strive for,” he reasoned.
“It’s a good thing. Probably over the last month is the most challenging it’s been for me to pick a team as a manager, because I see how well everyone is training.
“That’s your role as a manager, and you have to accept and embrace it and make those decisions for the right reasons – which are what you think is the right platform to win a game.
“I think about the game all the time, but I can also recognise when it’s time to go to sleep and switch off, and I think that’s a strength of mine.
“I’ve spoken to many people within football where it can become a bit too much, and you don’t have the energy that the group needs to see off you.
“For me personally, the older I got I probably got better at it. I was never one for social media, and I know the impact that can have as a player if you’re scrolling through that and seeing the response to how you played.
“I’m honest, and I know if I played well or I didn’t. It’s the same as a manager, I know if I’ve played the right team or if I could have set things up better.
“Everyone will have their opinions on it, but as long as you know you’ve tried to do it for the right reasons, and done it with conviction, I think that’s all you can ask.”
Exemplifying the conundrums that Cowie potentially has to dwell over is the competition in attacking areas.
Alex Samuel’s first start in three and-a-half months against Dundee United last time out reiterated that the club have a handful of talents that can be called upon on any given week, including Ronan Hale, Kieran Phillips, Jordan White and George Robesten.
While it may be difficult for all of them to play every week, Cowie insists they are all valued for the different attributes they can bring to the team, and is backing the cohort to bring the best out of each other.
“The good thing about them is that they’re all extremely different,” Cowie added.
“I’m sure the two who didn’t start last weekend were disappointed and frustrated – I wouldn’t expect anything less, but that’s what we want.
“We want to create that challenging environment to be in the team, and for them to push each other to be even better. They are all vying for it, and that can only be a good thing.
“My mantra has always been to take each game as it comes. If I think that an individual is going to make us better for that game that we’re going into, we will make those changes.
“Whether it is the right decision, you won’t know until after the game. What is important is that all four of them are ready, and understand how valued they are at the club and keep pushing each other on.”