Ross County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell says keeping up their strong record against the teams around them in the Premiership is a motivating factor for his squad.
The Staggies battled from behind to draw 2-2 with Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park on Saturday.
Brian Graham’s equaliser a couple of minutes from time earned the Dingwall team a point which lifted them to sixth in the Premiership table.
After 12 league games only one of the six clubs that sit below County have beaten them – Livingston.
In recent weeks the Staggies have lost 6-0 to Celtic and 4-0 to Rangers, but Kettlewell, who is joint boss alongside Steven Ferguson, knows it is matches against the sides around them that will define their season.
He said: “We spoke to the players about that record after the Rangers game to try to pick ourselves back up from a disappointing midweek performance.
“We said to the players that is our battle. Sometimes you have to look at the top end of the table and realise points you pick up against those teams are a bonus.
“We have to realise our position and realise where we are in the food chain sometimes.
“That’s not to be defeatist at all, but the players are well aware of that record and it was something we used going into the game.”
Kettlewell was not particularly pleased with County’s display at the weekend.
Having taken the lead after 37 seconds through Billy Mckay the Staggies didn’t push on and allowed Hamilton to strike back with Lewis Smith and former Inverness man George Oakley on target before Graham’s late leveller.
However, one positive for Kettlewell was striker Lee Erwin making his first start. The 24-year-old arrived at Victoria Park in July from Iranian side Tractor.
But visa issues followed by ankle and hamstring injuries had limited Erwin to just a sub appearance in August’s League Cup last-16 loss to Partick Thistle.
Kettlewell added: “We think Lee can be a huge player for us. He was involved in the build-up to the goal by having the initial shot.
“We were delighted to see him involved because he’s had a long road to get back to fitness.”
