Ross County manager Jim McIntyre feels his side’s defensive resistance must improve if the Staggies are to take anything from tonight’s Premiership game against Aberdeen at Dingwall.
County were defeated 3-0 in their most recent game against the Dons, in September, with McIntyre thoroughly impressed by the attacking capabilities of Derek McInnes’ side.
McIntyre is fully aware his team needs to defend better than it did in what was just his second game in charge of the Staggies, who have taken five points from their last four games.
McIntyre said: “Aberdeen were very good when we played them at Pittodrie. The game could have finished 7-3 or 8-3 – it was that type of game. We need to defend set-plays better because we gave two glaring ones away that day.
“We will certainly look at their strengths and try and combat them. Hopefully, our strengths can work in our favour.
“One thing you have to do against Aberdeen is defend well. We know we are going to be put under pressure.
“They have players with pace who can really hurt you in the wide areas and, obviously, the front two up top are a real handful.
“We need to do the fundamentals well but the one thing we’ve done consistently since we came in the door is create chances to score goals. I always feel we are capable of doing that. It is about getting the other side of it right and I don’t just mean as a back four, but as a team.”
McIntyre may once again turn to Paul Quinn to help shore up his side’s back line after the former Motherwell defender marked his first start with an impressive scoring performance against St Mirren.
McIntyre added: “Paul did really well. He did what I thought he would do, while probably lasting a little bit longer than I thought.
“He’s a proper player. He knows the game inside out and has played at a good level in the Championship in England and the Scottish Premier League. He has a good stature about him and he’s a good talker and organiser.”