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Derek Adams admits performance level does not matter with points the main focus after Ross County lose to relegation rivals St Johnstone in Dingwall


By Andrew Henderson

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Derek Adams acknowledged that it does not matter how well he feels Ross County played against St Johnstone – as people will only pay attention to the end result.

A disappointing 1-0 defeat has left the Staggies five points behind their Perth rivals in the Scottish Premiership table, albeit with a game in hand.

County were the side who created more chances to shoot, but they simply were not clinical enough to take them.

Derek Adams admits performance levels are meaningless when Ross County aren't picking up points. Picture: Ken Macpherson
Derek Adams admits performance levels are meaningless when Ross County aren't picking up points. Picture: Ken Macpherson

There may have been shoots of encouragement for Adams throughout the match, then, but he knows that the most important part of the match was not what he desired.

"We created a lot of good opportunities and had the majority of the possession, but we make a mistake that allowed St Johnstone to sit in and defend really well," Adams explained.

"I was pleased, but as a manager you need wins and results to make yourself happy. On Tuesday night (at Livingston), we lose a last minute goal which was hugely disappointing.

"We played so well away at Celtic, and today we have created the best opportunities and failed to take them.

"It doesn't matter, we didn't win the game or have the quality to take our chances. St Johnstone have put one of two opportunities in the back of the net, and we had numerous opportunities – but nobody cares, because you need to win.

"You can only sit and go through things with anyone, but nobody gives a jot."

Ross County were missing seven players through injury: Ross Laidlaw, Dylan Smith, Ryan Leak, Jack Baldwin, Connor Randall, Scott Allardice and Ross Callachan.

With several of those players requiring operations, it is highly unlikely any of them will be back in time for County's next game away at Motherwell on Tuesday evening.

Adams says that absentee list justifies what turned out to be a busy January transfer window – even if he is relying on a large group of players to hit the ground running in Dingwall.

"A lot of these players have had injuries throughout the season and issues that needed to be sorted with operations," he added.

"We had seven players out injured today, and that's not easy. A lot of them will be out for a period of time, which has meant I needed to go and sign seven players.

"If we didn't do that, I don't know where we would have been today.

"You're only as good as the players in your team.

"We weren't able to take the chances we created, and we have failed to have enough quality to put the ball in the back of the net.

"We created some really good openings in the match, and we did that against Livingston as well."


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