Captain says that he wants to be bedrock of Ross County
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JACK Baldwin wants to bring more steadiness and consistency to his performances in coming weeks after recent red card controversy.
The Ross County captain, while a bedrock in the team since arriving in August 2021, has suffered a clutch of suspensions in the last 14 months.
The 30-year-old former Sunderland and Bristol Rovers defender was ordered off in the League Cup against Aberdeen after taking down Duk as he raced in on goal.
That followed three red card suspensions last season, including one issued retrospectively, and a run of 16 yellow cards in his first County season.
Baldwin’s contribution to the County cause is huge and manager Malky Mackay recently said he would never seek to dilute the qualities and mentality that make him such a fierce competitor.
But Baldwin, himself, recognises the need to forge greater reliability and consistency given his pivotal role in the heart of defence.
“As part of that lifeline in defence, you’re in a position where challenges happen and scenarios unfold where there is a risk of conceding goals or being sent off,” he said. “I don’t like it to happen too often, so it has been a bit of a mixed bag so far this season, personally.
“I’m looking to hit a bit of consistency for this next block of games.
“As a foundation at the back of the team, you want to give the lads in front of you that platform so hopefully we can pick up some clean sheets in the next run of games.
“Then we can really give the forward lads the chance to take the shackles off and express themselves.”
Baldwin also recognises the importance of embracing rest periods like the recent international break.
“It has been a mix of rest and some hard work. It’s nice to have that step back and mental refresh, then come back in raring to go for a really busy period, starting with St Mirren at home.”
