Analysis: Former Liverpool man Connor Randall's midfield switch is giving Ross County freedom and flexibility to torment opposition defences this season
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Ross County are no strangers to mixing things up under Malky Mackay. They have implemented apparently strange match-specific plans before – like putting four central midfielders on the pitch against Celtic last season.
Against an always-dangerous Airdrieonians side in the League Cup yesterday, though, the Staggies showed how their tactical flexibility and fluidity is maturing all the time.
In the first half especially, it seemed to be an example of how County will play at their best this season, and an unlikely hero has helped make it possible: Connor Randall.
The full back has been converted into a central midfielder on a more regular basis this season to great effect. The 27-year-old's strike against Edinburgh City in the League Cup group stage may have been his first senior career goal, but his second against St Johnstone last weekend shows his comfort level in the middle of the park.
Watching a full speed Ross County side for the first time this season at Airdrie, I was struck by just how vital Randall has become so quickly in the middle of the park, and the options he provides his teammates.
The most obvious example is Randall's partner in the middle of the park. Last season, Victor Loturi could usually be found as one of two defensive midfielders in a deep role, but having a natural defender alongside him frees up the Canadian international to make the most of his boundless energy and press higher up the park, making it more likely the Staggies can will the ball back in dangerous areas.
It's not just Loturi though. Having Randall as the deepest midfielder option also provides extra reliable cover for County's full backs when they go forward.
Whether it's James Brown, George Harmon, Josh Reid or anyone else, they can be confident going forward that the space they vacate will be covered by someone who is well used to playing full back, rather than a midfielder who may not be as comfortable in wider areas.
The main criticism of County last season was that they did not score enough goals, but they cannot be accused of similar shortcomings so far this year. County have scored at least two goals in each of their seven competitive matches to date, and while Randall has chipped in with two his role in the middle of the pitch mean his wider teammates can take more risks.
Multiple times at Airdrie, where County lined up in a loose 4-4-2, one of their wingers would join Jordan White and Simon Murray to form an attacking three, while the other winger would drop in behind them as a number 10.
Again, Randall provides reassurance that when the Staggies temporarily push more bodies forward, there will be ample cover.
After a summer where Ross County signed three central midfielders, not many would have backed Randall to be the difference maker in the middle of the park. However, if he continues to perform at a consistently high level and can allow teammates to become less predictable to make the most of their undoubted quality, his switch into midfield could prove to be a season-defining masterstroke.
What they said
Malky Mackay: "I knew that I could put him into two or three different positions, and I'm really enjoying him in midfield. It allows Loturi to be a little bit more free-flowing – and again in the first half (at Airdrie) I thought Victor was excellent.
"Connor's defensive nature means that he wins second balls, and if you do that you can get a foothold in the game and go on the attack. Connor is in there and smelling danger, and I think that makes a big difference.
"He reads the game well, so if one of the full backs goes on the overlap, he understands the game well enough to drift into that position. The more players you have who recognise that, the better, because in that split second they have to make the correct decision.
"The higher up the leagues you go, the more often they make that correct decision, and Connor is certainly someone who makes the right decision more often than not for us."
Connor Randall: "It's been good. I stepped in there a little bit last season too, so wherever the gaffer wants me to play I'm happy to do there and help the team. Hopefully I can keep contributing to help the team.
"It's obviously a different part of the game – I'm usually on the touchline with nobody behind me, and now I have people everywhere, but I'm enjoying it.
"Maybe it is helping other guys, I'm not sure. We're just all doing our own jobs to make sure we're solid while playing good football.
"We have a group of lads who want to do well for each other, so hopefully we can continue to put in good performances and have a good season."
It's not just Randall...
Another example of how Ross County's tactical approach has developed came from their base striking partnership at Airdrie – Jordan White and Simon Murray.
If there has been a frustration around White in his time in Dingwall, it has been his mobility in chasing the inevitable long balls forward from County's defenders.
However, against Airdrie that looked like a thing of the past. In fact, White was the focal point that County's attack was built around, staying in central areas while Murray ran the channels – popping up on both flanks at various times.
It is an interesting approach. White will still drop deep to lay the ball off to teammates, but most of his work is now being done in the width of the goal, which should make his more of a threat as he will be in better areas to shoot.
Murray, meanwhile, thrives off of those energetic displays and trying to hassle defenders into making mistakes. It is clearly working this season, with seven goals to his name already.
How County's other forwards, like Eamonn Brophy and Alex Samuel, fit into this style of play remains to be fully seen. My instinct would suggest Samuel could slot into White's role, and Brophy into Murray's, but they would also bring their own unique strengths and weaknesses – which could be a good thing for County if they keep opposition defenders guessing all the more.
