Manager says leaders are emerging in Ross County dressing room
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Not having a match this weekend gave Ross County the chance to have a more in-depth de-brief after last Sunday’s 4–2 defeat to Rangers.
Manager Malky Mackay is keen for the video analysis sessions to be player-led as far as possible, as he feels that is the best way for messages to get through.
It also gives him the opportunity to see how the dynamics of his squad are shaping up. While training sessions can help develop partnerships on the pitch, it is important that senior players step up and are vocal to maintain standards, and that mentality is harder to coach.
Mackay is delighted, then, to see different voices speaking up and taking a leading role in those post-match de-briefs.
“Regan Charles-Cook is someone that has now become very vocal in these meetings,” Mackay said.
“I think that comes from confidence, with the fact he has been in the team on a regular basis, he’s playing well and causing problems for opposition.
“Taking his lead is Joe Hungbo. He is only a young boy, and he’s really finding his feet in life. If he has misplaced a pass, not kept the ball or not gone with a runner, he’s able to say what he should have done.
“It gives some of them confidence, which is good to see from guys that maybe had less confidence.”
Those voices extend to players who have struggled more for gametime too, with Mackay adding: “Dom Samuel has always got something to say whether he’s playing or not, while David Cancola has got a very bright mind and a very good understanding of the game.
“Neither of them played at Rangers, but both of them were very vocal. It’s great when you hear that, because I just become a facilitator.
“That’s where I want to get this eventually. I’m putting themes on, but what is happening is they are talking through what should have happened.
“There’s conversation between them, which brings a real buy-in.”
