Ross County player is determined to avoid play-off repeat
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Jack Baldwin says Ross County's will regroup over the summer, and come back determined not to be in a similar position in the Premiership next season.
The Staggies struggled to pick up points for large parts of the 2022/23 season, getting embroiled in a relegation battle.
Sitting four points adrift at the bottom of the table going into the split, it was something of an achievement just to avoid automatic relegation, and they eventually secured top-flight status for another year in the most dramatic of play-off finals.
There were various sliding door moments against Partick Thistle that, on another day, could have seen County go down.
After the relief of avoiding that fate, then, Baldwin is desperate not to be put back in a similar fight for safety this time next year.
"We need to build on this," Baldwin stressed.
"We had a good season last year, but we knew other teams would strengthen and it would not be quite the same league.
"A lack of consistency has let us down this year. We'd win a game then not pick up a result the next week.
"This play-off win is a good platform for us to build upon. We have got a shorter break now over the summer and we will be straight back in working, ready to make sure we don't have to go through that again.
"Last season, finishing in the top six, was fantastic for the club. We don't just want to be in the Premiership to make up the numbers.
"The topic, the over-rising feeling, is County are doing well to be staying in the Premiership for a 10th season. We must be doing something right at this club to be holding our own and competing.
"We will regroup and come back to try and make sure we're not here again.
Several VAR checks, a three-goal comeback and a penalty shoot-out made the win over Partick one of the most memorable play-off finals ever – and it ranks highly in Baldwin's career too.
"It's up there!" he added.
"We had lads running about the middle of the pitch, cramping up after giving absolutely everything.
"The game had everything, from the dreaded VAR drama, key decisions, and goals, missed opportunities for Partick near the end, where we rode our luck quite a bit.
"Judging by the messages at the end of the game, I few people have said they didn't really enjoy watching it on TV too much, but it's fantastic for us to come out on the right side of it. We're relieved and delighted to still be a Premiership team."
