County boss Coyle keen to get the balance right

OWEN Coyle is well aware that his Ross County side need a strong January transfer window if they are to pull away from their Ladbrokes Premiership struggles.

The Staggies are without a win in the league since early November and again missed out on three points after dominating St Johnstone before being held to a 1-1 draw.

The point did lift them off the bottom of the table — on goal difference — but it continues a worrying slide following an initial bounce under Coyle, who took over in October.

The former Bolton and Burnley boss has always been keen to add fresh players to his squad, and admits it is important they get the right business done.

“We’ve always said since we came in that there was an imbalance in the squad,” he said. “It’s a bit top-heavy in certain positions but lacking numbers in others, so we will have to balance that up and make sure we’re competitive in those areas of the squad.

“Equally, we have to make sure it’s the right quality we’re adding and not just adding bodies for numbers’ sake, we have to bring the right quality in.

“It’s important to come out of it far stronger than you went into it and to do that you need the necessary quality, and if we do that there’s no doubt we will kick on.”

He added: “The first week of January will be important.

“The break will give me the opportunity to sit down face-to-face with people and clubs and get a few things over the line.”

Coyle’s side host Partick tomorrow knowing they could be left three points adrift if they end up on the wrong side of the result.

Sofien Moussa