Inverness Caley Thistle out to prove critics wrong, says head coach Billy Dodds
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Billy Dodds admits that there may have been extra fire in his players’ bellies at the weekend after recent stinging criticism.
Despite the injury crisis decimating the manager’s options, patience has worn thin among some Caley Thistle supporters on social media, where fans are clearly split on the issue.
While some acknowledge the scale of difficulty facing the club – with between eight and 10 players out for recent matches – others have been far less forgiving.
What was evident from first whistle against leaders Ayr United on Saturday was a fierce bite and desire from Dodds’ men to put it right.
In the end, the hosts were unfortunate to see a first half lead overturned before Nathan Shaw completed his brilliant double to salvage a 2–2 draw that kept Caley Jags six points off title pace.
“I can’t speak for the players, but there was maybe a bit extra fire in the belly after criticism they have received,” Dodds said.
“We heard it from fans last week and it fired a few up.
“We always have that determination about us, but sometimes with the injuries and the goals against you can lose a bit of confidence.
“I can’t fault the players for how they approached the Ayr game and the mentality they bring every week. We were a bit fragile, but realised the importance of the game and maybe felt we would show a few people.”
Caley Thistle have failed to persuade the SPFL to let them recall Highland League loan players including Aly Riddle, Robbie Thompson, Ethan Cairns and Harry Hennem.
Dodds has had to lean on schoolboys Matthew Strachan, Calum MacKay and Aaron Nicolson to part-fill his bench and feels that is an “embarrassing” scenario for the authorities.
“This is the worst I have seen an injury situation in my 37 years since I was a schoolboy going to Chelsea,” Dodds said. “Each week, we have eight, nine, 10 out. Every one of them would be pushing for a start.
“Sean Welsh and Danny Devine shouldn’t have played. Then we ask the SPFL to allow us to bring back our loan players and they say ‘no’.
“The batch who are on the bench, the young boys, are not ready either mentally or physically. They are first year pros, while the ones out on loan are a year ahead of them.
“It’s pretty embarrassing to be honest. The boys who are on the bench are just in the door in the summer and they shouldn’t be put through the mental and physical effort that they have to. It can’t be healthy.”
