Lakin: Next five games for Ross County are biggest of our lives
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Midfielder Charlie Lakin says Ross County’s remaining games this season will be the biggest in the lives of the playing squad.
The Staggies had been hoping to build some extra momentum for the battle against the drop in the Premiership by progressing in the Scottish Cup, only to be humbled by Highland rivals Inverness.
One particularly disappointing aspect of the match – for Lakin and supporters alike – was a sense of fragility at the back after being unable to hold on to a lead for more than two minutes, leaving County with a singular focus over the next month – staying up.
“In the first half, I thought we were decent actually, but we got the opening goal and straight away we conceded,” Lakin explained.
“It has happened all season. We score and within five minutes we concede. It just has to stop.
“It isn’t good enough. I don’t know what it is, but we need to get it out of our system as soon as possible.
“We’ve got five games coming up that are the most important five games of our lives. We’ve got to keep the club in the Premiership.
“We’ve got to go into next Saturday and give it everything we’ve got.”
County face a crucial trip to Kilmarnock this weekend.
However, an inquest into last Friday’s loss will have to come first, with efforts likely to be concentrated once again on shoring up the backline.
Lakin, who has at times filled in at left back for the Staggies this season, admits that it has affected the side even when doing well and scoring – because they have lost confidence that they can hold on to any advantage.
“It could affect some of the lads mentally, knowing even when we score first we might concede,” the Birmingham City loanee reasoned.
“It means no one really gets upbeat. We have to get rid of that mentality as quickly as possible.
“We have to prepare well this week, get ourselves together and go out there with everything we’ve got next time.”
