Caley Thistle have the best away form in the Championship – but head coach Billy Dodds believes it could have been even better.
Ahead of leaders Ayr United going to rock-bottom Hamilton Accies on Friday night, no side has collected more points on their travels than the 13 secured so far by Inverness.
Dodds is aware of their strong form away from the Highlands, which has seen them win at Ayr, Raith Rovers, Dundee and Cove Rangers.
However, 4-1 and 4-0 defeats at Partick Thistle and Morton are also a fresh reminder ahead of Saturday’s away day against Queen’s Park at Ochilview that they must get better.
🔜 We're away from home this Saturday as we face Queen's Park at Ochilview Park
Tickets are available online now
Ticket and Supporters Bus Info 👉 https://t.co/qHcDSbDEKV pic.twitter.com/gApKQQUCRd
— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) November 7, 2022
Dodds, whose men drew 1-1 at home to Arbroath last week, said: “Twice we let ourselves down away from home against Partick and Morton.
“We didn’t defend well in those games, and that is why we were punished.
“We were solid and looked as if we were switched on, especially if teams were attacking.
“I say to my defenders ‘we have a wee chance to score’, then (your opponents) clear, pick the ball up and attack you. That is when you need to be switched on.
“We have been hard to beat (away from home) and won a few games 1-0, but a couple of times we have switched off and been punished.”
Inverness looking to overtake rivals
Dodds, whose side are seeking their first win in five, are three points away from pace-setters Ayr ahead of the weekend games.
They are locked on 22 points with Morton, Raith and Dundee and sit one point above their weekend opponents, newly-promoted Queen’s Park, who drew 1-1 at Inverness on the opening afternoon of the season.
ICT are missing eight players through injury, none of whom will return against the Spiders, who lost 2-0 at Cove Rangers last Friday.
The Inverness manager insists they must aim to do more than simply keep their rivals within range as they chase the title.
He said: “We’re not just trying to hang in there. We’re trying to remain in a good position.
“If we can win games, we have the chance to move close to the top. That’s where we’re at right now.
“Yes, we’re having to do it with fewer players, but it can still be done. I’m looking forward to every game.
📺 QPTV Live returns this Saturday with a live stream of our cinch Championship game against @ICTFC.
Full details ⤵️https://t.co/bESC7h7kOI
— Queen's Park FC (@queensparkfc) November 9, 2022
“Against Arbroath on Saturday, we created some unbelievable chances and played really well.
“I watched it back and I still think Billy Mckay is going to score every time I look at it, but we missed.
“It’s not just Billy. We had loads of chances and loads of good play and I want that performance against Queen’s Park.”
Surprises galore are warning signs
And Dodds is taking nothing for granted against Owen Coyle’s team as the visitors aim for a win to surely move them up a place or two in this competitive division.
He added: “We see shock results in this Championship every week. You can never say for sure that you’re going to pick up three points, whether you’re facing the bottom team, up the top, or sitting mid-table.
“It’s a league which throws up incredible results because every team is so evenly matched.
“Some teams have put good runs together and find themselves at the top.
“We want to remain up there, get the win against Queen’s Park and it will take us three points above them and might get us closer to Ayr.”
Conversation