Season preview: Ross County
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Jim McIntyre's side performed a great escape of sorts last season that saw them rise from the ashes to a respectable ninth-placed finish. What can they achieve in his first full season in charge? Jamie Durent gives his thoughts on their chances.
Ross County fans will be sick of the familiar tale of woe that besets them in the first few months of the season. A stuttering start that leaves them adrift at the bottom, a January influx of players before a late surge up the table to safety. It has been as predictable as a Dingwall winter.
Some will struggle to believe that this will be the club's fourth season in the top flight. Hamilton and Dundee, despite just being promoted last year, are considered more established forces in the Premiership but I feel this season, that could be about to change.
McIntyre's recruitment has been swift and accurate, quickly addressing positions of need with players of pedigree that will add quality to the County side. We have become used to a revolving door of signings at the Global Energy Stadium and the message, from both McIntyre and chairman Roy MacGregor, is that this will be the last time it happens on a large scale.
The key with such wholesale changes is getting players in early and giving them the optimum amount of time to bed in, familiarise themselves with the demands of the manager and acquaint themselves with their team-mates. Ten of County's 12 signings came by 1 July, with just Jackson Irvine and Daniel Bachmann added afterwards.
Four of the signings – Michael Gardyne, Ian McShane, Richard Foster and Irvine – have worked under McIntyre before, while Scott Fox, Chris Robertson, Brian Graham and Stewart Murdoch are Scots eager to prove their worth as regulars in the Scottish Premiership.
Add to that players such as Andrew Davies, the new club captain, Jonathan Franks and Bachmann, who all come with English Premier League backgrounds, and the outlook looks altogether rosier for the Staggies this season.
October could prove to be an early acid test for this new side, with Inverness and Aberdeen at home followed by Hearts and Dundee United away. December, however, provides a platform to kick into the new year in form, with St Johnstone, Dundee and Kilmarnock all to visit the GES, either side of trips to Partick and Hamilton.
Their run-in before the split will be key to deciding whether they end up in the top or bottom six. Trips to Kilmarnock and St Johnstone at the start of March are imminently winnable, while their final two games in April, away to Dundee and home to Partick, are sure to be close.
The Highland Derby with Caley Thistle, in Dingwall on 19 March, could prove decisive and a win over their neighbours, achieved only twice in the last 12 meetings, would be welcomed warmly in the County camp.
One of the qualities that should see County surprise a few people this season is their ability to win ugly. Three vital wins in their escape charge were 1-0 home victories and a similar points haul this campaign may see them scrap their way back into the top six for only the second time.
Prediction: Sixth.
Ins: Ian McShane (Queen of the South); Michael Gardyne (Dundee United); Brian Graham (Dundee United); Scott Fox (Partick Thistle); Stewart Murdoch (Fleetwood Town); Darren Holden (Hartlepool United); Jonathan Franks (Hartlepool United); Richard Foster (Rangers): Chris Robertson (Port Vale); Andrew Davies (Bradford City); Daniel Bachmann (Stoke City, loan); Jackson Irvine (Celtic).
Outs: Darren Barr (Dumbarton); Richard Brittain (Brora Rangers); Mark Brown (Dumbarton); Joe Cardle (Dunfermline Athletic); Graham Carey (Plymouth Argyle); Terry Dunfield; Ben Frempah; Jake Jervis (Plymouth Argyle); Kyle MacLeod (Elgin City, loan); Abdoulaye Meite; Ruben Palazuelos (C.D. Guijuelo); Paul Quinn (Aberdeen); Antonio Reguero (Hibernian); Steven Ross; Steven Saunders; Darvydas Sernas (Zalgiris); Martin Woods (Shrewsbury).
Key new signing: Andrew Davies
The vitriol that filled the Bradford City message-boards following his departure from Valley Parade showed the esteem he was held in by the club's fans.
If he stays fit, he could well be one of the best centre-backs the club has ever had, given his pedigree in the English Premier League and the old UEFA Cup.
Will be a leader from the back and it remains to be seen whether it is Chris Robertson and County mainstay Scott Boyd that partners him in the middle of defence.
Probably the marquee signing among the new Dingwall recruits given his experience, should be taken to quickly by the County faithful.
Player to watch: Tony Dingwall
Needs to show that his breakthrough last season was no fluke. Was highly-rated during Derek Adams' tenure but was not given his chance until McIntyre arrived.
He chipped in with a few goals and earned himself a new contract with the Staggies, incentive enough to ensure he kicks on during his sophomore campaign.
McIntyre has strengthened in the wide areas, with Gardyne and Franks signing on, and up front, so Dingwall will have to hit the ground running to force himself to the front of the queue.
Steven Ross' exit and Kyle MacLeod leaving on loan means he is the only home-grown player in the first-team squad. No pressure for a man named Dingwall.
Area to focus on: The start
County simply cannot afford to be playing catch-up again at the turn of the year. Three years in a row they have shuffled out of the blocks instead of sprinting, meaning they have had to pull something special out of the bag each time.
Eventually that will catch up with you. Great escapes do not happen all the time. Fortunately, I believe this will be the year they finally get it right from the start.
The superb end to last season can be taken as an indication of what's to come under McIntyre, who himself will be keen to avoid a battle at the bottom again.
Getting some early wins under their belt will do confidence levels the world of good and will be crucial if a push for a top-six spot is to be realised.
