Inverness Caley Thistle defender says ‘Big Dunc gave us a clean slate’
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DANNY Devine believes Duncan Ferguson’s lack of familiarity and preconceptions on Caley Thistle’s players has helped give the squad a fresh start in the Championship.
Speaking after a fifth game unbeaten and third win for a team rejuvenated under the Everton legend, defender Devine – part of a re-shaped back three – enthused about the big man’s impact on fortunes and morale.
But Devine also claimed a shift in mindset within the dressing room meant Caley Jags’ players were no longer content just to be good in spells of matches.
“To be honest, I thought we were a bit lucky to be 3-0 up against Ayr at half-time,” the Northern Irishman said.
“We were a bit sloppy in our passing and general play, but I thought we scored three good goals. We were very good in the way we took the three goals.
“We worked the ball really well, which is something we’ve been really working hard on, but I felt especially in the first half, we were a bit slack..
“Against Dundee United, there were some very good patterns of play that we didn’t capitalise on, but we did against Ayr on Saturday.
“Even the deflected goal (from David Wotherspoon’s strike) came from a good bit of play and good movement.
“We’ve worked on it and it’s starting to show on the pitch.
“When the manager came in, we spoke about it as a squad and the words ‘clean slate’ were mentioned.
“The manager was not really too familiar with Scottish football when he came in because he’d worked in England for most of his career, but he watched a few games before coming in and done his homework.
“The boys have really taken to him. It’s shown in our performances.
“Some of the stuff we played on Saturday was unbelievable in terms of our passing.
“It shows the high standards we set within this team that we came in at half-time leading 3-0 and we say we’ve been a bit sloppy on the ball, especially in that first 20 minutes.
“Against Dundee United and Ayr, there has been some really good play.
“It’s all about the results. We’re climbing the table. If we can win games by playing like that, then even better.”
Playing a back three has helped instil a greater sense of adventure in ICT’s attacking play, Devine feels.
“With the way the manager wants to play, it’s easier getting the ball out from the back,” he said. “Even in open play, the three gives you an extra option and gives the boys further up the pitch a wee bit more freedom, knowing it’s secure.
“I have played within a three before and I quite like it. The team has taken to it really well, as you can see.”
Dunfermline away on Saturday will test new-look ICT’s resilience, with Devine adding: “We always say the next game is the most important.
“We want to keep building towards that top end of the table. It will be tough, as it is every week, and it’s up to us to perform as we can. If we do, we’ll be fine.”
