Ross Laidlaw is keen to embrace the responsibility of being the starting point for Ross County’s attacking play.
Goalkeeper Laidlaw has been ever present throughout the Staggies’ 16 league matches so far this term.
County were slow off the mark this season, winning just two of their opening 13 matches.
Their form has picked up in recent weeks, with Malky Mackay’s men winning two of their final three games prior to the World Cup break.
As confidence has grown among the Staggies squad, Laidlaw says he has been given encouragement from Mackay to build attacks gradually from the back.
Laidlaw said: “In the last four or five weeks the manager has told us to play a bit more out from the back.
“It has improved as we have had more possession of the ball in games, and we have created more chances in the last few weeks.
“At the start of the season we were maybe a bit more one-dimensional, we went a bit more direct as we weren’t playing as well.
“In the last few weeks we have definitely played out from the back a lot more, and using our feet more rather than kicking it long.
“It does affect my game and I need to work on things in training to take into the match.”
County squad getting to grips with Mackay’s demands
Laidlaw is among the longest-serving members of a Dingwall squad which Mackay augmented with 10 fresh additions in the summer.
The 30-year-old feels the recent arrivals are developing an understanding of the demands placed upon them by the Staggies boss.
He added: “I think the style the manager plays is different to what a lot of the boys have been used to.
“It’s not just for the defensive players, but there is a demand for the attacking players to get back and put a shift in behind the ball.
“When the ball is turned over, there is a quick counter attack the manager likes to play.
“It takes a wee while, and you need to play the games so he can show us on the video what we are doing right and wrong.
“The players are grasping what he wants us to do now. I think individually, people have improved since they came in, so hopefully we can keep it going after the break.”
Staggies cannot afford to get carried
County’s recent improvement in form has prompted parallels to be drawn with their upturn last season.
After failing to win any of their opening 10 matches, County went on to enjoy a fine campaign which ultimately resulted in a top-six finish.
Laidlaw insists the Staggies need to focus on maintaining their strong performances when they return to Premiership action at home to St Johnstone on December 17.
The Staggies goalkeeper added: “We are trying not to get carried away because we did well last year, but there have been a few similarities from last season to this.
“We are coming along nicely, but the teams around us are doing well. It’s going to be a really tight league with a lot of ups and downs still to come in the season.
“The last three results were quite positive, I know we got beaten at Parkhead but it was a strong performance from us and I think we were unlucky not to get at least a point from there.”
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