Stuart Kettlewell has demanded a fresh mindset from his Ross County players after their cup exit. The manager addressed the media this week following a 3-0 defeat to Hibernian in the League Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
Kettlewell stated his entire squad is fit and available for selection. He indicated he may make one or two changes to the starting line-up to avoid complacency and inject energy. "For us it’s quite simply a change in mindset now," Kettlewell said. He stressed the need to maintain standards and focus on the immediate challenge ahead.
Bouncing back from defeat
The cup loss to Hibernian, with goals from T. Klidje, A. Mayor and A. Suto, halted momentum. It followed a 4-3 defeat to Aberdeen's under-21 side in the KDM Evolution Trophy just days earlier. "We went into a one-off game on Saturday, and we have now tasted defeat, so we have to look for a response," Kettlewell said. The manager acknowledged that mistakes will happen but aims to mitigate risk through his team selections.
Ross County's primary focus returns to League One, where they hold a strong position. They currently sit second in the table with 13 points from five matches. Their recent league form shows two wins, one draw and two losses from the last five outings.
Looking ahead to Peterhead
The next fixture is a home match against Peterhead on November 7th. Peterhead are currently seventh in the division. Kettlewell's call for a renewed focus is squarely aimed at this league encounter and the games beyond. The manager's emphasis is on energy and avoiding the trap of repeatedly fielding the same eleven players.
County's season has been a mix of high-scoring wins and narrow defeats. They have netted 12 goals in the league while conceding just four, giving them a healthy goal difference. Earlier results include a 4-0 victory over East Kilbride and a 3-1 win at Airdrie United. Their full schedule of upcoming matches is available on our fixtures page.
Kettlewell's immediate task is to steer his team back to winning ways in the league. With the squad at full fitness, he has options to rotate and refresh his side. The match against Peterhead at the Global Energy Stadium provides the next opportunity to respond. Fans can view the current player roster on our squad list. The manager's clear message is about turning the page quickly after a disappointing cup week.
