Manager says captain is crucial to Inverness Caley Thistle hopes this season
Billy Dodds has hailed Inverness Caledonian Thistle captain Sean Welsh after seeing the midfielder’s suspension successfully overturned.
Welsh was shown a red card last time out against Partick Thistle for a cynical challenge, but a fast track appeal during the week saw that downgraded to a yellow.
That means the 33-year-old will be available to make the trip to Greenock Morton tomorrow, delighting head coach Dodds as he sees Welsh as an integral part of the Inverness side.
“It was a common sense one for me,” Dodds stressed.
“I was delighted with the result, and when you see a couple of them earlier in the season, the panel have shown a consistency. They had to, because common sense prevailed.
“That’s great for us, because he might be our most important player to have available because he’s our captain.
“That’s football, you need the spine of your team.
“You need your experienced players, but also your central ones – whether that’s midfielders, defenders or strikers – to build the team around.
“It’s all right saying that when it’s your captain, but they’ve got to be doing the business as well, and Sean has shown how important he is with the goals he’s scored.
“He has played in games he probably shouldn’t have and put his body on the line.
“He wasn’t even feeling the best before Partick, but that’s the kind of boy he is. He has still chipped in with performances and goals, so we’re really pleased.”
One thing Caley Thistle have not been pleased with, though, are results against Morton so far this season.
Inverness are yet to beat the Cappielow Park outfit, losing 1-0 at home in August and then 4-0 on their last trip to Greenock in October.
Just last month, defensive lapses allowed Morton to take a point away from the Highland capital in a 2-2 draw.
Dodds, though, does not believe it is a tactical clash that has seen the Caley Jags struggle to defeat Dougie Imrie’s team. Instead, he is confident that ICT’s usual style of play will be enough to win tomorrow – as long as they cut out their errors.
“When we drew 2-2 at home, we handed them two goals through two mistakes,” Dodds added.
“If we have to do anything different, it’s not making any mistakes at the back.
“That was the game Ethan Cairns came on and scored, and we know we will get chances in the game.
“It’s a very even game, so I wouldn’t change too much. I’ve had so many meetings with the boys this season about sticking to what we’re good at - winning possession, getting the ball wide, getting crosses into the box and getting on the end of it.
“If we do that, we’re a pretty good team, so I don’t think it’s been about a style of play. There have been times we haven’t been good in certain areas this season, whether it’s making mistakes or missing chances.
“That’s the difference, it’s not a style of play that has really hurt us.”
