PRAISING MY PLAYERS THE WEEK BEFORE LEFT US LESS DETERMINED THAN USUAL, SAYS INVERNESS MANAGER
Butcher: Airdrie were miles better but I’ll take the point
Published:
Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher was left bemused after his side's below-par display in scraping a draw against Airdrie at New Broomfield on Saturday.
After comfortably defeating Morton on the road the previous week Inverness were second best for large periods against the Diamonds.
John Baird's skilful turn and well-placed shot had the hosts ahead after 25 minutes, Ryan Esson saved a second-half penalty from Baird and Jonny Hayes salvaged a First Division point for the Highlanders with just seven minutes left.
Airdrie substitute Kevin Watt headed wide when left unmarked from Alan Trouten's cross in added time and Butcher was relieved his side got anything from the game.
He said: “How we got a point I just don't know. Jonny Hayes kept going and got the goal but we had Ryan Esson to thank for the penalty save otherwise we would have been down two-nil and there would have been no way back after that.
“You have to hold your hands up and say Airdrie were miles better than us.
“The only positive I can take from the game is that we did not lose.
“Individual errors were abundant, our passing was poor, everything you could say was not right.
“Airdrie must be gutted that they did not get three points."
Caley Thistle started well, Richie Foran heading narrowly wide from a Danni Sanchez cross but Baird opened the scoring, collecting a loose ball before turning Nauris Bulvitis and beating Ryan Esson at his near post.
Bulvitis brought down Trouten in the penalty area and referee John McKendrick had no option but to award a penalty on 64 minutes.
Esson saved brilliantly, diving to his right to push clear Baird's spot kick and after a late surge Hayes equalised, beating Simon Storey inside the penalty area and firing low beyond Stephen Robertson after being set up by Foran.
Butcher added: “I think sometimes when you get praise and you do well the week before you are not as determined as you are if you have had a defeat.
“A lot of the players have not had a consecutive sequence of games in their careers let alone this year. They are finding it, mentally, a test for them.
“They have got to learn pretty quickly as they can't have Jekyll and Hyde performances like that. There were a few Mr Hydes out there.
“We did not deserve it but we will take it and there are few bruised egos after the game, mine included, but there were no dressing-room doors bruised – it wasn't that bad."
Airdrie manager Kenny Black said: “I think we should have won the game and getting the first goal was a massive boost.
“The penalty was a massive turning point, as if we got that one it would certainly have given us a bit of breathing space."
