Season so far- How are the players faring?Part 1

What Does “Accountability” Mean?

When most people think about accountability especially when discussed within the context of footballers, it tends to be a reactive response to defeats so therefore brings has a lot of negative connotations to it. They think that it means punishing players or having players serve a consequence for certain actions. Too many coaches think it means raising their voice, or players are having to sit out, or run laps, or do push ups, or even lose playing time.

In actuality, holding players accountable has nothing to do with providing negative consequences for undesirable actions. Holding players accountable simply means setting specific expectations or instructions, then ensuring that players follow them.

It would be fair to say that when we carry out our various post mortems on games in the pub, at home, on social media or through podcasts, that the balance of accountability tends to favour the players, especially when the manager is under intense scrutiny. I feel that Steven Naismith's future at the club has become a very circular conversation with many arguments placed for and against him with a rinse and repeat formula rearing its head in the aftermath of the latest match. I thought it would only be fair to switch the spotlight onto our squad, discussing their form so far and trying to evaluate what future contributions they can bring to the club.

23. Andy Halliday (0 Starts & 6 Sub Appearances)

I have a soft spot for Halliday who I feel has been relegated unfairly to being a peripheral figure on the bench. Given the issues we faced in terms of the centre of midfield a couple of months ago, it is puzzling as to why he was not afforded a chance given his reliability and he has now found himself 6th or 7th in terms of a starting place in those berths. Would maybe be beneficial for both parties if he moved on in January with one of the B team stand outs getting his place in the squad.

22. Kyosuke Tagawa (1 Start & 7 Sub Appearances/ 1 Goal)

Has had a very frustrating start to his time at the club. Is one of a few players who would have been tasked with trying to fill the Gino shaped hole in the team but has had little opportunity to showcase what he can do due to the teams issues with drawing out opponents from a low block and his only start, he flattered to deceive in an unfamiliar role of playing with his back to goal against Kilmarnock. At the moment, the best he can hope for is a place on the bench and getting some minutes when the games is stretched in the second half.

21. Barrie McKay (2 Starts & 1 Sub Appearance)

A much maligned figure for most of last year but one who has been sorely missed over the past few months. His presence alone normally draws the attention of two opposition players which can help create space for the likes of Shankland and Boyce to exploit. The fact that we have no direct replacement for him points at a failing with the last transfer window and given our average goals haul of less than a goal a game in the league, its imperative that we get him back as soon as possible.

20. Aidan Denholm (3 Starts & 5 Sub Appearances/ 2 Yellow Cards)

I love the rags to riches feel to this story of a player who only earlier this year had been told that he was free to find a new club. His hard work paid off in style with the zenith of his prominence to the first team coming in the form of being a central figure in our second left victory over Rosenborg. That being said, I do not feel that he brings anything to the table that our other multiple central midfield options do not already offer so the decision to offer him a 3 year deal did raise some eyebrows.

19. Odel Offiah (3 Starts & 6 Sub Appearances/ 1 Goal & 2 Yellow Cards)

The Brighton loanee has been really unfortunate with illness hampering his ability to stake a regular place in the team. Based on my own observations and in reading interviews with the player himself, it is very apparent that he is not comfortable playing within a 3-5-2 system with his appearance at Dingwall bringing a lopsided look to the team that day. His signing was at a time in which we looked to be favouring a flat 4 at the back but if we continue to stick with the 3 that we have seen during the past 3 games then he may find chances to impress at a premium.

18. Peter Haring (4 Starts & 3 Sub Appearances/3 Yellow Cards)

It's hard not to listen to Steven Naismith's post match interview on Sunday bemoaning our inability to switch the ball to the wider areas quickly enough without day dreaming about what the 2018-19 version of Peter Haring could contribute within this system. Injuries have impacted on his mobility so it's understandable that he is not trusted to play a regular role in a system which is meant to press and be aggressive. Can still prove to be a useful option in the correct scenario but can see his game time lessen even more over the coming months.

17. Jorge Grant (4 Starts & 7 Sub Appearances/1 Goal, 1 Assist & 1 Yellow Card)

16 months on from his arrival and I think its fair to say that most of us are still unsure as to what his best suited role is with a lack of regular game time in one position seeing the Englishman fail to notch 25 starts yet in a maroon jersey. This season has seen him flourish in the ten role in our cup win at Rugby Park along with telling contributions as a sub against Livingston and in Rosenborg but then 50% of his starts have been part of a narrow midfield 3 against Rangers. Naismith has been vocal in his belief in Grants ability but our willingness to listen to offers for him during the summer would maybe point to a player who was deemed surplus to requirements and has been brought back in from the cold due to a mix of injuries and most summer recruits failing to hit the ground running.

16. Beni Baningime (5 Starts & 4 Sub Appearances/1 Yellow Card)

It has been upsetting to see Beni struggle this season on his long road back from injury. Some bright displays at Ibrox and Paisley have been overshadowed by individual errors in Rosenborg and in recent fixtures against Hibs & Rangers. I understand that there will be frustration aimed at the management team, but the only way of getting match fit is to play competitive football. you can train all you like but that does not get you back to the levels of sharpness required to get back to your peak form. This is one we can hopefully look back on as a short term pain, long term gain strategy that paid off but with his contract up next summer, it will be interesting to see what offer is placed by the club.

15. Alan Forrest (6 Starts & 8 Sub Appearances/2 Goals & 1 Yellow Card)

Mr Jack of all trades this season contributing from both wide areas, as a wing back and through the middle. Struggles from a lack of belief in his ability but is reliable in terms of playing to instruction so a managers dream in that sense. Similar to Grant, have struggled to get a run of starts but should continue to bring value to the squad for the rest of the season. If we persist with the 3-5-2 then I would like to see him in the right wing back role until Atkinson returns.

14. Yutaro Oda (7 Starts & 4 Sub Appearances/2 Goals & 1 Yellow Card)

Some niggly injuries have prevented him from building properly on his productive run of form at the tail end of last season. Like many in the squad, question marks remain over whether we are getting the best out of him with a tendency to play the ball to his feet rather than into space. Staying fit will be pivotal to any hopes Naismith has in implementing his high press strategy moving forward.

13. Alex Lowry (7 Starts & 6 Sub Appearances/1 Goal & 4 Assists)

On the surface, his goal contributions (5 in total) offer some hope that he can fill the gap left by Barrie McKay but 4 of those have come in 2 cup fixtures. Given his age and lack of experience at this level, there is much work needing done especially in terms of being positionally disciplined which was badly exposed during our home defeat to Celtic. Has looked more comfortable in a free role as shown in the derby but the signing on does trigger questions regarding our commitment to progressing our own academy graduates.