Manager looking to add more strength in depth at Ross County
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Derek Adams will look to be active in the January transfer window to address a lack of strength in depth at Ross County.
The window opened once again this week, giving clubs and managers across the country an opportunity to bring in – or move out – new players.
It is an important time of the year, as County found out themselves last season by bringing in the likes of Eamonn Brophy on loan and Simon Murray on a permanent deal to make an impact.
This time around, though, there is a new man in charge as Derek Adams has taken the reins in Dingwall for a third time.
With it being his first transfer window since returning, then, it is also a chance for Adams to shape the Staggies squad in his own image.
Based on what he has seen across his six games so far, the 48-year-old feels there are a lack of like-for-like options available to County when Adams turns to his substitutes’ bench during matches.
That will be his priority in the transfer market this month, then, as Adams promises to do some business in January.
“The players are getting some time off, but we’ll be back in next Monday to get going again,” he said after Tuesday afternoon’s defeat to Aberdeen.
“We don’t have a winter tour this year because the budget was spent, so we have to stay here and get on with it.
“I need to sit down with the chairman and chief executive. I’ve already spoken to them and given my plans for the January transfer window.
“We’re going to have to be active in it because you can see we’re not strong enough in depth or in quality going forward.
“When you can’t make like for like substitutions that gives you huge problems.”
Adams will be helped in his search for new players by former Dundee, Motherwell and Livingston defender Greg Strong.
Strong has been added to the Staggies backroom team as head of recruitment.
He already knows Adams well, having worked together at Plymouth Argyle and Morecambe down south, and Adams feels that having a presence south of the border can help to give County a crucial edge in the market compared to their Scottish Premiership rivals.
“We now have a presence in England which we didn’t have,” Adams reasoned.
“We have a head of recruitment who is going to be full-time, who is going to scour the market for players, like I’ve done over my career.
“It is about getting in additions to help us because, as you can see, we lack strength in depth.”
