Ross County title target did not add pressure on to playing squad leading to early-season slump, insists Jordan White
Jordan White insists Ross County’s very public ambition of winning the Championship this season did not pile any extra pressure on the playing squad – as they also expected to be challenging at the top of the table.
Club chairman Roy MacGregor and chief executive Steven Ferguson were clear in the summer that, following relegation from the Premiership, the Staggies needed to focus on an immediate return to the top flight.
However, early results this season did not back up that goal. A lengthy winless streak quickly saw the gap to fellow relegated side St Johnstone grow into double digits, and leave County playing catch up for the rest of the season.
White, though, does not believe the words of those in charge at the club had any part in the team’s early struggles, as the squad had similar expectations of themselves.
“Personally, I would say it is a different pressure from being in the Premiership but it’s not on my mind going into games,” he explained.
“That comes with expectation, and we’ve always got to take responsibility when we’re not at it, but I don’t think that has been a big factor.
“I don’t go into games thinking ‘we need to win because we need to win promotion’. We expect that of ourselves anyway, and if you don’t then you would be kidding yourself.
“We’re at a really good club, and we’re well supported with the management and squad we’ve got, so we have to go and deliver. I think that’s just part and parcel of football.”
Recent weeks have shown signs of an uptick in form under new manager Tony Docherty.
Five points from their last three matches against Greenock Morton, Raith Rovers and St Johnstone suggests the tide is beginning to turn, and it may be timed well with County travelling to Partick Thistle this weekend – a side who have already won twice in Dingwall this season.
“We’ve been unlucky at times this season, so we don’t fear anybody,” White continued.
“At the same time, we want to keep pushing forward, and we know we need to start getting more wins on the board.
“It’s a new squad, and it does take time to gel, but we know we can’t keep saying that every week. We’ve given ourselves a good platform over the last few weeks to go and kick on this Saturday, which would put us in really good stead going forward, so it’s a massive game.
“It’s an opponent we haven’t done well against this season so far, so that gives us a real bite to go and do the business.
“Especially this season, Ross County has a target on our backs. We are seen as the big dogs in the league, and everybody has an extra edge against us.
“We’ll be ready for that, and be ready to keep pushing forward.”
Having signed for County in January 2021, White is one of the longest serving players at the club.
The 33-year-old recently passed 200 matches for the club, putting him ninth in the Staggies SPFL-era appearance list, and he is 11th on the goalscoring standings with 41 strikes to his name so far.
There is still the potential for him to rise higher up both lists, and White is proud of his contributions to the club so far.
“I’m happy to have passed 200 matches, but I want to keep adding goals and assists on to that as well because I think I can still go higher,” he added.
“I’ve loved my time at Ross County. I’ve enjoyed the majority of it here, and I think I’ve probably played my best football here.
“I’m quite high up in terms of goal contributions, so I want to go even higher on that list.”