The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tangerines’ recent form just a blip, says Doran
Highlanders have Neilson’s men in their sights as they eye third place
Inverness Caley Thistle midfielder Aaron Doran believes Dundee United’s recent form slump is a “blip”.
But they are determined to extend it. United will travel to the Highlands on Saturday after being thrashed by Ayr United a fortnight ago and conceding a late equaliser at Morton last weekend.
And Doran is viewing the game as a big opportunity to cut the gap between themselves and Robbie Neilson’s men to just three points, with a game in hand.
“Dundee United have done really well,” he said.
“Their last results were a bit of blip but Robbie Neilson has won manager of the month and they have been on fire since he took over so it will be a really tough game.
“We are looking to catch them in the table though and we will be going there to try and beat them. We want to make it hard for Dundee United on Saturday and look for the win.”
Doran feels an improved run of home form is vital to the Highlanders’ Championship promotion hopes.
Inverness have struggled for victories on their own pitch this season with just one triumph in their eight league matches at Caledonian Stadium so far.
Although Inverness have only suffered one defeat in that sequence, the Irishman believes his side must turn more of their draws into victories in order to regain the fear factor on home territory.
He said: “We need more wins here. We need to make it a bit more of a fortress. Over the years it has been like that, teams don’t like coming up here to play against us.
“We need to get that back. “Most teams have come up here and sat in and we have probably found it a little bit difficult to break them down. “That’s what we need to work on. “We have been working on getting in behind teams in training.”
Inverness were left out of action last weekend following the postponement of their trip to leaders Ayr on Friday night.
John Robertson’s men dropped to fifth spot in the Championship table on goal difference but Doran feels results elsewhere could work in their favour if they can capitalise with a victory over third-placed United.
Doran said: “With the three draws and Partick beating Dunfermline, it was a pretty good set of results for us at the weekend.
“If we can put in a good performance and maybe get a win at the weekend we are right in the pack.
“We want to stay in the play-off places, and that’s our aim for the season. There are some big games coming up with Dundee United, Morton away and then the Highland derby against Ross County.
“It’s three big games and we want to pick up as many points as we can to stay in those play-off places and put pressure on the teams above us.”