Some of Ross County’s impressive form is down to a settled side and a lot to do with Michael Gardye. Writes Craig Cairns.
Amidst the clearance in Dingwall this year, the re-signing of Michael Gardyne over the summer period was an early indication the club sought to retain the consistency and stability instilled by manager Jim McIntyre. Though not quite at the level that saw them become one of the form teams in Europe, the Staggies have carried on their renewed confidence into the current season and sit with seven points from their first five matches.
After months sifting through the masses of exotic names contracted to the club, in which he trialled 10 different central defensive partnerships, McIntyre struck upon a settled and balanced 4-4-2 with two workhorse finishers in attack, flanked by inverted wingers supported by their full-backs. Given the way his side is set up, it is no surprise that many of Ross County’s goals come from wide areas. 23 of their 51 league goals since McIntyre’s appointment have come from crosses into the box. That number rises to 28 when corners are included.
Though by no means solely responsible for the form that saw County pull away into a comfortable ninth-place finish, Gardyne’s role was fundamental and is indicative of the way his manager likes to play. The former Dundee United winger got off to a slow start after returning for a third spell in September with just two goals and one assist in his first 13 matches. This was a side struggling for any kind of form at the time, however, and as the side began to improve, Gardyne’s contribution became more prominent.
Since then he has been involved in 15 of their last 33 league goals, including all four in the recent hammering of Kilmarnock. Five of the six assists he provided towards the end of last season were a result of crosses from his inverted position on the right-hand side. His involvement last weekend came after he was moved to the left to accommodate new signing Jonathan Franks and the debutant scored after netting the rebound from chance created by Gardyne.
McIntyre has options in wide areas now and will be pleased with the start Franks has made. The man he replaced in the side, Raffaele De Vita, was almost as productive as Gardyne towards the end of last season. He managed three goals and four assists over his 14 appearances, also from an inverted wide position. Combined, the duo was involved in 72% of Ross County’s goals between De Vita’s debut in February and the end of the season.
Although he hasn’t been involved much so far, the addition of Brian Graham may also suit McIntyre’s approach. Though not likely to work as hard as Craig Curran or Liam Boyce, Graham was on the end of crosses for four of his five goals from open play at St Johnstone last season. It should work in theory, anyway. Some may argue that he failed to make as much of an impression at McDiarmid Park but it should be noted that Ross County outscored St Johnstone by 12 goals last season and if the likes of Gardyne and De Vita can continue creating, Graham may just get the opportunity to covert more often at his new club.
Graham may have to wait a while to get a run of games, though. Boyce and Curran have struck up an effective partnership this year, between them scoring 19 of Ross County’s 38 league goals since Curran’s debut – in which he scored – versus Dundee in January. No matter the strikeforce for Ross County, the continued influence of Michael Gardyne should provide whoever is paired up there with plenty of ammunition.