Mcinnes lets rip at strikers after Dingwall debacle
Derek Mcinnes saw a triple injury blow further sour a “horrible” day in Dingwall for the dismal Dons.
The Pittodrie gaffer admitted his team were outplayed by the side who started the day in bottom spot and blasted his players for failing to take their chances. Mcinnes, whose team is now below third-placed Hibs but with two games in hand, saw defender Ash Taylor hobble off after half an hour.
But it was second-half injuries to Jonny Hayes and Rangers loanee Ross Mccrorie that most concerned him.
He said: “The loss of Jonny Hayes was a real blow to us in that second half period of the game. “In the last five minutes, we lost two goals.
“It was a horrible afternoon all round. We lost three players to injury today as well – Ash Taylor, Jonny Hayes and Ross Mccrorie – and the two biggest concerns are Jonny and Ross. “They both left the ground in crutches tonight and Ross will go for an X-ray. It doesn’t look good for him.” Dismayed by the performance at a ground where they had won their last five trips dating back to December 2016, Mcinnes blamed poor finishing and County’s tremendous start. But he also credited the Staggies for a fine performance and stressed it wasn’t just the Dons who were architects of their own downfall. Mcinnes said: “The opening period of the game was clearly not good enough.
“To go behind after less than 40 seconds gives a team at the bottom of the league real encouragement. “I thought their front three were causing our back three problems. “We lost another goal and had to change our shape. I thought we were instantly better when we went to a back four, but we shouldn’t need to be changing a shape that’s worked well for us. “They imposed themselves on us. Ross County deserve credit for how they played – it wasn’t just a poor defensive display by us. “We got one back before half-time and started the second half well, but for us not to be scoring more from chances created is disappointing.
“The start of the game wasn’t good enough. “In any game, it doesn’t matter whether you’re favourite or underdog. The importance of starting the game properly is always there. “The pitch was tricky today, clearly, and it needed us to be playing with a lot more savvy and looking after the ball better – certainly being far more aggressive. “But we created enough chances to score more than one goal and nobody will tell me any differently.”