Getting out of a relegation struggle demands players show the ugly side of football and Caley Thistle have not done enough of it this season.
The humiliating 4-0 defeat by Highland rivals Ross County on Friday moved them a step closer to the reality of Championship football next season, with only four top-flight games remaining.
Manager Richie Foran’s men have spiralled into disarray following a dire run of form with only one win in their last 23 league fixtures.
Midfielder Iain Vigurs knows his team has become too easy to beat and bemoaned the Highlanders’ soft centre.
Vigurs said: “Ross County wanted it and came in for a scrap on Friday and we didn’t.
“As the manager said, we have too many nice people – and we can’t have that in a relegation scrap.
“We need nasty players on that pitch, we really do. We need to win our individual contests, we need to be streetwise and win free kicks and get the better of the referee.
“We didn’t do that on Friday and it hurts. That game was the worst I’ve felt after a match.
“To lose 4-0 in a derby was just not good enough, especially when we’re at the bottom of the table, struggling for everything.
“We need to go out on that pitch and give everything and I can’t say any of us did, including myself.”
Vigurs accepts second-bottom is the best his side can hope for but the Aberdeen-born player is refusing to throw in the towel, adding: “Right now, a play-off spot is what we’re aiming for. We’ll take anything we can get right now. Four wins is a must for us.
“If you see us through the week, the players are brilliant. We don’t seem to have that pressure of relegation or anything. But on Friday night we just weren’t at the races – simple as.
“As the manager said, we weren’t ruthless in our one-to-ones. That said, I believe we can get out of this. I wouldn’t still be playing if I didn’t believe.”
Vigurs feels Caley Jags supporters have every right to vent their anger at the team following the latest disappointment and the 28-year-old understands their frustration.
He added: “Every single one of us will hold our hands up and say it’s not been good enough this season.
“The supporters know that and still come and support the team. What we put on show on Friday night was not good enough.”
