We lack a real nasty side to us

Says Lakin

CHARLIE C LAKIN listened to the th scathing words of boss Stuart Kettlewell then admitted Ross County’s players p need to show a nasty n streak now.

The midfielder, on loan from fr Birmingham City, agreed with Kettlewell that County failed to match the battling qualities of a 10-man team.

That approach was exposed by Kilmarnock and County now face Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen in quick succession.

Lakin said: “We weren’t good enough right from the start of the game, never mind when they had a player sent off.

“We couldn’t deal with their first ball and didn’t win many second balls. Then, when chasing the game, we’re still trying to play neat and tidy football.

“That’s when we need to be a horrible team, one that goes long at times and gets in people’s faces.

“Don’t get me wrong, you need to play football at times – you can’t just go long all the time.

“But occasionally we have to be dirty and be the nasty team no one wants to play against. Basically, we need to know when to vary things and mix it up.

“We’ve got to learn from it, pick ourselves up and get ready to go again because the games will be coming thick and fast.

“These are big games so we’ve got to get ourselves up and ready for them.”

The Staggies fell closer to the relegation mix following a seventh Premiership game without a win.

St Mirren, in 11th place, are only two points behind County and have two games in hand.

Lakin added: “This was a missed opportunity. This league is so tight that two or three victories can push you right up the table and a couple of defeats can send you right down.

“We’d built up our confidence by getting backto-back wins in the Betfred Cup so to then perform like that just isn’t good enough.

“It was a terrible day. Losing the third goal when we were chasing an equaliser put the seal on it.

“The manager was upset, as you would expect him to be. To play against 10 men and not even come out with a draw is just unacceptable.”