Inverness Caley Thistle winger Nathan Shaw says team are united in face of heavy criticism over opening Viaplay Cup and SPFL cinch Championship performances
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Nathan Shaw insists Caley Thistle as a squad will stand united in defence of team-mates facing hefty criticism over costly blunders.
The Highlanders have suffered four straight single-goal defeats since winning their opening League Cup group game against Bonnyrigg 2-1.
In all, they have shipped nine goals in five games, with last weekend’s opening day league loss a particularly bitter one to swallow.
The common theme has been individual errors with Billy Dodds’ relatively young rearguard – with an average age of 22 last weekend – first in the firing line
Shaw remains confident the early pain will make way to long-term gain in the promotion race, with the talented winger bullish over chances of pushing for the Premiership.
But he admits the opening day defeat to Queen’s Park has heightened pressure on all of the Inverness players, just a couple of weeks into the new Championship season.
Shaw, who arrived Fylde last summer and caught fire in form in the second half of last season, said: “Everyone just has to stick together, really.
“Mistakes are part and parcel of football. Everyone will make them.
“It is just unfortunate that some of ours have come in back to back games, but we’re a close-knit group and we’ll come through it together.
“There are new players as well who have come into the group and they need time to gel and settle into the club.
“But I think we’ll be okay. I think we’ll be where we want to be come the end of the season.”
Caley Thistle struggled at home to Ayr last season, but won twice at Somerset Park - and have won three and drawn two of their last five visits.
Shaw knows the importance of adding to that away record.
The 22-year-old said: “It is a long season ahead and our aim is to change it on Saturday and get a win.
“We want to be as close to the top as we can be in the Championship, but it is about where you are at the end of the season - that’s the important part.
“We showed last year we can put a run together and go five or six games with strong results.
“That will put us right up where we want to be.
“That’s what we have to focus on, trying to build some momentum and see where it takes us.
“It is never going to be easy in the Championship. It is a long season and you’re going to pick up injuries.
“Dundee United coming down are a big club, and probably favourites for the league, but we have nothing to fear.
“We’ve shown we’re good enough against Premiership opposition last year, so we’re just looking forward to it.
“After the opening day defeat,the Ayr one is a game we need to win.”
Reflecting on his own form last season from uncertain beginnings, Shaw added: “I’m really looking forward to the season on the back of how I finished last season.
“Obviously, I did quite well towards the end of last season, scoring a few goals and making a few assists.
“But I’m looking to improve on that this season and see where it takes me and the team.
“It was difficult to be fair, initially, moving away from home and I needed a bit of time to settle in.
“Since I’ve settled in, I’ve loved it here. Hopefully, that’s shown in my performances.”
