Midfield bite can sharpen Staggies, says Ross County fans' Facebook and Twitter page creator
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ROSS County need a midfield "hard man" to toughen the team up for next season in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
That’s the view of Gary Bisset, who established and runs the official County supporters’ twitter page and the Dingwall supporters’ club Facebook page, and attends matches home and away.
He has been thrilled by his team’s top six finish and League Cup triumph this season.
The players are now on a break after arguably the club’s best-ever campaign and boss Jim McIntyre is now on the hunt to bolster his side for an ever better campaign in 2016-17.
Bisset told the North Star what he’s looking for this summer before the club kick off the defence of the Betfed Cup in mid-July.
He said: "A hard man in midfield would be a great addition, as we seem to be bullied in that area. I would like to see Craig Curran back to full health after being sidelined with concussion. He is a massive player for us and we have missed his input into the team. Liam Boyce has suffered with him being out as well."
Following Sunday’s stunning 4-0 last-day win at runners-up Aberdeen, McIntyre made his feelings known about the treatment of Martin Woods, who netted a cracker to put the seal on that Pittodrie display following goals from Brian Graham (penalty), Alex Schalk and Liam Boyce.
Bisset, however, is a fan of Woods and what the 30-year-old play-maker brings to the side.
He explained: "I have and always will be a big supporter of Martin Woods. He is a very intelligent footballer, his passing of the ball is sometimes a dream to watch and what the manager said is correct and supported by a lot of us.
"None of us are perfect and often make mistakes and he seems to be singled out by a few of our boo boys, but I rate him highly and hope he is around next season. He adds quality to the team."
McIntyre scooped the Scottish Writers’ Association manager of the year award on Sunday night and, alongside assistant Billy Dodds, has turned the side from strugglers to one of the country’s big performers, enhanced further with the League Cup triumph in March.
If County can simply minimise the dips in form at times, Bisset will be thrilled.
He said: "Our aim at the start of the season was to reach top six and we did that. Our other aim was to have a decent cup run. We did that and exceeded all expectations by winning the League Cup.
"The job that has been done by Jim and Billy has been tremendous, bringing us some outstanding football at the start of the season.
"We got a bit inconsistent in the latter part of the season, but the players stood up tall in the big games that mattered and got us there. Would like to hope we will keep most of the team that we have now with a few tweaks here and there."
*** Ross County released wide midfielder Raffaele De Vita after he played for the final time in Sunday’s 4-0 rout of Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The former Swindon Town ace (28) has started just 12 times this season, but did play a key part in helping the Dingwall club survive relegation or a play-off last year.
He took to twitter on Sunday night, saying: "I will keep many memories with me. All the best to everyone. I hope next season will be successful again."
