Don Cowie calls for more bravery in Ross County’s attack as Staggies look to end Premiership goal drought against Motherwell in Dingwall this weekend
Don Cowie is looking for his side to be braver in attack when they return to action after the international break.
Going into this weekend’s match against Motherwell in Dingwall, the Staggies have scored no goals in their last three matches – having only five shots on target in that time.
In fact, given that Kilmarnock had a man sent off before County scored in the win over them at the end of last month, the last time Cowie’s side scored against a full complement of players was in the 2-1 defeat against Celtic on October 6.
Naturally, that will have been a focus over the international break last weekend, and Cowie wants to see his players be more decisive in the final third to carve out opportunities.
"I still want us to create more chances,” he insisted.
"I want us to be braver and have a bit more conviction.
"Prior to the Dundee United game, we were really solid as a team out of possession, but that doesn't mean that you can't transition to be really effective in attack.
"We want to create and score more. We need to get the balance right.
"I need to be consistent with the messages I give the team. I don't tell the players to be defensive or negative in the way they play, but it is about having belief.
"When you get the clean sheets, subconsciously, you can start to sit back. You have still to have a creative spark and be a threat going forward.
"We're striving for the balance. When we can get that, we can be a really good team.”
Just as Cowie wants to be consistent in his messaging to the County squad, he sees consistency on the pitch as the silver bullet that will lead to rising up the league table.
The top six is still well within the Staggies’ reach, just three points away going into this weekend’s matches.
With no more international breaks until March, too, Cowie sees the next few months as a chance to really build up some strong momentum.
"Dundee United and Motherwell have broken away because they have been the most consistent from that group, apart from Celtic, Aberdeen and Rangers.
"It shows how important it is when you strive for that consistency – and the importance of getting three points.
"We have drawn six games, and it would make a real difference to win three and lose three of those games.
“So far the season has been cut into little blocks of five or six games, but now we go into a period where it is game after game.
“It offers an opportunity to get real rhythm and consistency. That’s not to say it is guaranteed, but it could be an opportunity for that.
“It’s going to be a full-on schedule, as it always is, but I’m looking forward to it. I have real belief in the group and say that all the time.
“We have a really healthy, competitive squad and we’re in a really good place going into a tough period.”
The Ross County squad is almost back at full capacity, with George Harmon back in training and available for this weekend’s clash.
In fact, only longer-term absentees Will Nightingale and Max Sheaf are unavailable to face Motherwell on Saturday.
