Questions raised of how to get best out of squad

A thrilling opening spell to the Highland derby saw both sides go end-to-end to test one another at the kind of tempo that you sometimes only see in a derby match.

The ball hadn’t even been out of play from kick-off when both teams had an opportunity to get an early goal.

As the pattern of the match became more apparent in the first half, Caley Thistle had the better territory.

County were set up in a lop-sided 4-4-2 system with Don Cowie slightly tucked in on the right and Michael Gardyne providing the attacking impetus on the left.

The plan appeared to be to have a lot of energy and running power in the midfield with quick, direct football.

Earning the right to play first isn’t a foolish strategy in a derby but the way the team was set up resulted in a lack of composure in the centre back and central midfield areas, which would often result in County giving the ball away cheaply.

More relevant was that Aaron Doran repeatedly found space coming in from the left flank in Caley Thistle’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Doran was a constant menace in the first half and Scott Fox had to be at his best to keep the Staggies in the match by the break.

County improved in the second half, largely due to the introduction of the substitutes.

The starting XI had no natural width on the right, which was corrected with Josh Mullin’s introduction.

Iain Vigurs opened up angles with his passing, and Declan McManus’s movement helped.

County might have won it with the chances created with a much more balanced team, but it leaves the question of how the management can get the best out of the squad.

Declan McManus made mark with his movement