Derby hell can drive us to victory – Davies
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ANDREW Davies insists the hell of being turned over by Caley Thistle just before parading their League Cup triumph in March can spur them on to win Saturday’s first derby of the new Ladbrokes Premiership season.
The Staggies lost three times to their neighbours last term, with a 2-1 quarter-final win at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium their only derby high on the way to winning that League Cup for the first time.
County finished one place above ICT in the league, but a 3-0 pasting in mid-March just as fans in Dingwall were set to cheer their heroes lingers for the former Bradford City star.
County kicked off their league season with a 3-1 home loss against Dundee, while ICT lost 2-0 at Partick on Saturday and Davies told the NS ahead of Saturday’s clash in Inverness: "It’s a massive game. I enjoying playing in these derbies. The last few times we have played them we have come away very disappointed.
"We are still sore from the game where they beat us just before our (League Cup) victory parade through town. We have to make sure we don’t have that feeling again. That’s important for the players and the fans.
"We need to get the first win, get the points on the board as soon as possible. It doesn’t matter who we are up against we would want the win as soon as possible, but especially so against Inverness. We want to go over the bridge and make sure we make it as difficult as possible for them. All the players are really revved up for the weekend.
"Being honest, they are a good team with some really good players and we have to give them respect because they have beaten us a couple of times now. It’s important for us to go there and turn the tide in our favour and that would help change the mood. We have good players here and there is no reason when you look at the teams why we shouldn’t go and get a result."
Davies had been linked to a move back closer to his home town of Stockton-on-Tees, but news this week that he’s staying will delight fans. He explained: "I thoroughly enjoyed last season at Ross County, captaining the boys and leading them forward. When I signed here, I wanted to help move the club forward. The chairman is passionate about that as well.
"I feel we are doing that and we are on course to do that. Nothing will change for me in the way in which I conduct myself at this football club. I am a passionate player and I will carry on doing what I did last season, to try and help the club progress once more."
The captain’s armband was handed over to Paul Quinn ahead of the new season, but Davies says that won’t change his style on the field and he backs his team-mate getting the nod.
He added: "I have always said that whether I am wearing the armband or not I will always go out there and lead. That’s in my DNA. Paul Quinn will be a great captain this season, he has done so before, and we are all in it together, no matter what."
After finishing sixth in May and winning the League Cup, 31-year-old Davies is determined to help drive the Staggies onwards and upwards once more.
He explained: "The manager is very driven and passionate about moving this club forward and so are the players. We have a fantastic bunch here who are all willing to work really hard for one another. When you have that then there is no reason why you can’t push on."
