Ross County Coyle failed

Few would have complained about the line-up to face St Johnstone but, with hindsight, the midfield had too much of the same in it. Murray Davidson dominated the match but the midfielder who negated him in the last visit to Perth – Ross Draper – is playing for the reserves.

As far as strategy and tone are concerned, Owen Coyle badly failed. On the few occasions County tried to play a passing game it was too slow, but for the vast majority of the match the midfield was bypassed in favour of aiming headhigh balls at Alex Schalk and David Ngog with their backs to goal, which St Johnstone lapped up. It was brutal to watch. Once the first was conceded the body language from most was accepting and, from one or two, unacceptable.

John Maxwell