Ross County V Dundee Utd at Victoria Park : Match Preview

28 August 2015 16:31
Ross County V Dundee Utd - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Raffaele De Vita not yet dreaming of a top-six finish

Ross County midfielder Raffaele De Vita refuses to listen to predictions of a top-six position.

County sit fifth in the Ladbrokes Premiership after five games after making a dozen summer signings - and manager Jim McIntyre is still chasing a new striker.

But De Vita is not getting ahead of himself before County's home clash with Dundee United on Saturday.

The Italian said: "I hear a lot of people saying we are going to be a top-six side but that's not the way we are looking at it.

"It's good for us to take every game as it comes and just get points on the board. We can look at the league table in a few months.

"Right now we just have to win as many games as possible and get as many points as possible and keep going like that.

"We don't really want to listen to what people are saying."

County are aiming to get into double figures for points on Saturday - something they failed to do until after Christmas last season, after losing their first seven league games.

De Vita, who arrived at Dingwall in January, said: "It would be really, really good because first it's going to put us in a good position in the league and settle the nerves. A win on Saturday would be massive for us.

"We didn't want to be in the same position as last year where we went eight or nine games before you got a win.

"Even though we could have had a few more points, I think it's been a strong start. As soon as last season finished the manager brought in the players he wanted. He brought in a lot of quality so we are definitely looking stronger than last season."

County manager Jim McIntyre has a fully-fit squad for the game.

Striker Craig Curran is back in contention after sitting out the midweek win over Ayr due to a head knock suffered at Kilmarnock.

Richard Foster returned to the bench for the League Cup tie after a hamstring problem.

Dundee United defender Paul Dixon insists the Tannadice side can cope with or without Wigan frontman Billy McKay.

Press Association Sport understands the Arabs have agreed terms on a B#200,000 move for the former Inverness poacher.

However, reports on Friday morning claim the move could now be thrown into doubt as McKay waits to be paid off by the Latics.

United could do with the extra fire power having won just one of their five Premiership games so far, but Dixon insists the likes of Charlie Telfer, Aidan Connolly, Ryan Dow and Darko Bodul are all capable of finding the net for Jackie McNamara's team.

The former Dundee and Huddersfield left-back said: "I don't think I've played against Billy too many times. It was only once I'd gone to England he turned into the prolific goalscorer he became at Inverness.

"But if he can come here and score goals that would be great. That's exactly what we want.

"But there is still goals in the guys here. We just need to make sure we make those chances. If we make those chances then hopefully they will take them."

United now take on a Ross County flying high after last week's four-goal drubbing of Kilmarnock.

The Tangerines, on the other hand, have had to deal with flak from their own supporters following a stuttering start to the campaign.

Dixon, though, is refusing to focus on the criticism.

He said: "I don't read papers or go on any social media sites, that's how I block out the negativity.

"It is difficult to do because the job we do we are in the spotlight day in, day out through press, TV and social media. There are always people trying to take shots at footballers to get in their heads or bring them down.

"But if I get that sort of thing, even out in the street, I just ignore it. That flak is part and parcel of football and it happens the world over."

United have injury concerns over three of their squad ahead of the trip.

Boss Jackie McNamara is still waiting to learn if Darko Bodul (ankle), Scott Fraser (thigh) and John Rankin (back) will be passed fit.

Rodney Sneijder has been released by the club to allow him to address an on-going health issue while Paul Paton (knee), defender Callum Morris (thigh) and forward Mario Bilate (hamstring) are still sidelined.


Source: PAR