Manager Reviews Ross County Match

Bassyonni

ago 3 hours

Manager Neil Lennon has emphasized the importance of maintaining focus as Dunfermline prepares to face Ross County this Saturday. The match will take place at Dingwall, marking the first meeting between the two teams since April 2019 in the Scottish Championship.

Match History and Recent Form

In their last 20 encounters, Ross County holds a slight edge with nine wins, while Dunfermline has secured five victories and drawn six times. Despite a tough start to the season, where County has won once in eleven league matches and lost four of five games at home, Lennon respects their capabilities.

Managerial Insights

Lennon acknowledged the quality present in Ross County’s squad. He mentioned that their recent form does not reflect their true potential. The new manager, Tony Docherty, is working to improve the team’s performance, making Saturday’s match more challenging.

“They are a Premiership team who’ve come down and are stacked full of quality,” Lennon said. He also noted that County’s struggles could make them a more dangerous opponent.

Injury Concerns Ahead of Match

Dunfermline faces several injury worries as they approach the match. Key players include:

Billy Terrell: Suffered a calf strain during the 4-0 victory against Airdrieonians.
Charlie Gilmour: Tweaked his medial ligament in training, making him doubtful for Saturday.
Alfons Amade: Dealt with a dead leg in the previous match.
Barney Stewart: Currently in concussion protocol but expected to return.

Building Momentum

Dunfermline arrives at the match seeking their third consecutive victory. They achieved back-to-back wins for the first time in 19 months, celebrating victories over Raith Rovers and Airdrieonians. This resurgence has boosted morale at KDM Group East End Park.

“That is the first back-to-back wins since March last year,” Lennon remarked. He aims to continue building momentum and looks forward to the upcoming match, noting the novelty of an away hotel stay for his players.

Team Attitude and Focus

Despite the recent positive results, Lennon insists on keeping his squad grounded. He praised their humility and teamwork, particularly highlighting the positive influence of players like Hamilton and Tash in supporting younger teammates.

“Winning games is hard, and they’ve worked really hard, so they got what they deserved,” he stated. As they prepare for the tough challenge against Ross County, Dunfermline’s focus remains unwavering.