THIS week our team of sports writers will be providing their assessment of the season so far for all 12 Ladbrokes Premiership clubs.
Keep an eye on the Herald and Evening Times websites for our mid-season reviews throughout the week.
Season so far
Not great. Jim McIntyre’s sacking in September surprised everyone but the County support and hopes of a revival were high when the club landed former Burnley and Bolton boss Owen Coyle as his replacement.
But results have failed to pick up and a whimpering 2-0 defeat to Partick Thistle before Hogmanay ensured that the Staggies were rooted to the bottom of the table over the winter break following an eight-match winless run.
Best player
When he’s given the chance, Davis Keillor-Dunn has provided much-needed spark, creativity and youthful exuberance on the wing.
Promoted from last season’s Development League-winning squad, the 20-year-old has impressed the County faithful from the wide areas and merits more opportunities from the start, which have been limited due to the continued selection of experienced duo Chris Eagles and Michael Gardyne. Jason Naismith has been another standout performer at right-back.
Star signing
Eagles, Ross Draper and Billy McKay are yet to make the impact many fans had hoped for. Sean Kelly has done a decent job at left-back and Celtic loanee Jamie Lindsay has put in some eye-catching displays in the middle of the park, but the standout signing so far has been Jim O’Brien.
Admittedly the 30-year-old had the upper hand over the others given he spent the second half of last season in Dingwall, but the former Motherwell man has been one of the more reliable performers in an inconsistent and regularly changing midfield.
Biggest disappointment
Owen Coyle’s appointment was something of a coup for the Highland club but since the initial bounce gained from his arrival, when the Staggies picked up three wins in six games, the Glaswegian has failed to inspire an improvement.
His coaching pedigree and stature within the game will ensure he is given time to turn things around, but the ex-Blackburn Rovers boss will need to find the solution to his side’s problems soon to keep discontent from the door. After all, the County fans have not been able to celebrate a win since the beginning of November.
What to expect from the second half of the season?
This is far from the first time County have found themselves in a tricky position at the turn of the year, and January also presents Coyle with his first chance to make moves in the transfer market.
The addition of Greg Tansey on loan from Aberdeen looks like an astute acquisition and if a reliable goalscorer can be added to the ranks there is no reason this underachieving squad shouldn’t push up the table and secure top-flight status for a seventh season.
More report cards
- Aberdeen: Ryan Christie shining in mixed campaign for the Dons
- Celtic: Domestic dominance continues but room for improvement in Europe
- Dundee: Neil McCann's side in high spirits after upturn in form
- Hamilton Accies: Martin Canning charting course to survival despite home woes
- Hearts: Christophe Berra plays starring role in eventful season for Jambos
- Hibernian: Inconsistency the issue for Neil Lennon's entertainers
- Kilmarnock: Steve Clarke arrival inspires top six charge
- Motherwell: Louis Moult departure a blow in hit and miss campaign
- Partick Thistle: Another slow start for Jags but top six still in sight
-
Rangers: Second place still in sight despite turbulent term at Ibrox
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