Ross County manager Jim McIntyre will be given the time to revive the Staggies’ stuttering season.
Former County and Aberdeen manager Alex Smith has been dismayed by the Dingwall club’s abject run of form, with no wins in nine league matches pushing County into the Premiership relegation place, just one point ahead of bottom club Dundee.
Smith, who was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame on Sunday, along with John Wark, Gary McAllister, Steve Chalmers and the late Jock Wallace, is confident County chairman Roy MacGregor will his give his manager the time and money to lift County.
The loss of midfielder Jackson Irvine, sold to Championship club Burton Albion in July, has been crucial, with McIntyre also having to contend with a succession of injuries to his attackers.
Smith believes form will turn and said: “Roy MacGregor is very methodical in his approach to the football club and he knows Jim and his assistant Billy Dodds have a track record of success at County.
“The League Cup last season was history for the club, but more importantly the way County operate in the transfer market means patience is needed.
“County ring the changes most seasons with a decent turnover of players from Europe and England as well as Scotland and it does take time for those players to settle and find their way into the team.
“Losing Jackson Irvine was damaging, every team needs that sort of player in midfield who will do all the hard work and let flair players flourish, and the fact Tim Chow got sent off against Aberdeen certainly didn’t help.”
Rangers at home on Sunday is next for County before the international break and Smith hopes time aids the recovery for County forwards Liam Boyce and Alex Schalk who have both been on the sidelines.
The Press and Journal columnist added: “The margins are so fine between the teams in the Premiership so having a forward in form and on a run of scoring goals is crucial.
“The Motherwell loss on Saturday was damaging but look back to the Celtic game in midweek when County had their chances – not to mention the incident with Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon when he could have been sent off. Had those chances dropped to a confident forward then at least County would have drawn the match.
“There’ll be no kneejerk reaction from the chairman and, while Jim knows he needs to get results, he has the track record of getting County out of trouble.”
