Manager of the month Adams takes a bow
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DEREK Adams has a knack of getting one over Neil Lennon.
He did it, famously, as First Division manager on an earth-shaking afternoon when Celtic were defeated at Hampden Park, and he was at it again this week.
Adams’ receipt of the January manager of the month award made him the only manager so far to win it twice this season.
Not even Lennon, flying high domestically and in Europe, has managed that.
Adams knows that the real awards are drawn from points and results, but is glad to accept the prize as a marker of team progress.
The 37-year-old said: “I’m delighted – it is really good for the football club and for the players.
“They have performed very well, not only this past month but throughout the season. We have had a very good January and it has pushed us up the league table.
“It is nice to collect the second one and long may it continue in terms of the good run of form.
“We want to finish strongly and push up the SPL table. We’re sitting in 10th position, eight points off second and 15 off the bottom. It just shows you how well we have performed. The one overriding objective is to stay in the SPL but, for ourselves, we want to finish as high as we can.”
By now, Adams had expected the table to stretch substantially in terms of points between positions.
The tight-knit nature offers a real opportunity for County and others to make their mark.
The manager stressed: “If anything, it has become even tighter. I don’t think it will finish this way – there will be changes.
“It is a good opportunity for us going into Friday night’s game. We can possibly move joint with Aberdeen on points and move further away from the bottom.
“But Dundee will be saying the same – it is an opportunity for them to close the gap on St Mirren. I’m sure there are a few teams who feel they are safe, but I feel Dundee are a side who have added the likes of Gary Harkins who can do a very good job for them. Dundee are at home and there will be a good crowd, but let’s see if we can keep the good form going.”
Adams feels the five new additions made in January have not only strengthened the side but added good competition to those still holding down starting places.
He said: “We’ve had a big change around in January with nine leaving and five coming in. We’ve got new signings who have started the games and a few ready to come into the side.
“Andre Hainault and Branislav Micic are itching to get started and putting pressure on the players. There is good competition all over the pitch.”
Swiss-Serb defender Micic will not be in the party heading for Dens, though, as he has a shoulder injury.
Ivan Sproule remains a doubt after a hamstring pull, but both Stuart Kettlewell and Martin Scott are back fit.
