Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson hopes his side can respond to their first defeat in more than two months with another strong run of Championship form.
County were defeated 1-0 by Dundee United at Victoria Park on Saturday, to end an unbeaten run of 11 matches without defeat since they last went down 2-1 against Morton at Cappielow on August 25.
The Staggies remain second in the table, albeit now just a point ahead of United, with the Dingwall men now four points adrift of leaders Ayr United.
Ferguson hopes his side can take the setback in their stride, and he said: “That was our first defeat in 12 games so there’s no mass hysteria of things going wrong.
“The good run we were on put us in the position we are in. We need to do it again – it’s as simple as that.
“We’ve had a setback in losing the game on Saturday, but we don’t stop being a good group of players because we lose one game. There was lots of things that frustrated us about Saturday and that’s another learning curve as far as we are concerned.
“I didn’t think we played particularly badly, but we could probably have done more. When you’re up against a team like Dundee United, to be fair to Robbie Neilson since he has come in they are a different animal to the way they were at the start of the season.
“They’re a club with big aspirations and it’s important for them they do well.
“You are never going to get an easy game against anyone in the league but none more so than Dundee United, with the way they are at the moment.”
County’s focus switches to IRN-BRU Cup action on Saturday when they take on Motherwell colts in their quarter-final tie at Penny Cars Stadium.
The Staggies are waiting to assess Liam Fontaine, who was stretchered off against United, along with Sean Kelly who is also struggling with a knock, with Ferguson hinting he and fellow co-manager Stuart Kettlewell could ring the changes.
Ferguson added: “There are certain guys that have been really patient. When we were on that run we were going with a consistent shape and team.
“There have been guys champing at the bit on the sidelines waiting for this opportunity.
“Saturday may provide that opportunity for them, and give them the platform to see if they can get into that starting team for Dunfermline the following week.
“If you look at the injuries we’ve had there are probably some guys that need a little rest, but because of the size of the squad we are struggling in that area.
“Marcus Fraser, Callum Morris and Liam Fontaine are three of our more recognised defenders that have had long-term injuries this year.
“We have a good group of young players ourselves though, so we can certainly look to call on those guys and I’m sure they wouldn’t let us down if that call came.”
