Butcher is set to cut loose again - Caley Jags ready to repeat successful formula of all-out attack after that stunning Ayr raid
By Stephen Kasiewicz
Published: 28/10/2009
Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher will stay with all-out attack when Morton visit Inverness on Saturday after his team scored five times at Ayr United last weekend.
Dougie Imrie and Richie Foran started on the flanks in midfield, but Butcher encouraged them to join Dani Sanchez and Adam Rooney to form a four-pronged forward line.
It worked spectacularly at Somerset Park, with Inverness were 4-1 up at the interval through goals from Foran (2), Rooney and Imrie. Former Motherwell and Southend player Foran claimed his hat-trick by scoring again in the second period.
Now Butcher is prepared to use the same system when the Greenock men travel north this weekend.
He said: ?Sometimes you reach a stage during the season where you need to change things around a bit as a coach.
?We asked them to do something a little bit different and they did that. I think they enjoyed the fact there was a freshness and a challenge about it. It was a good, attacking positive system. We felt that there is no point in being tentative now.
?At home, particularly, we have been worried about all sorts of things but now is the time to be more positive and have a go.
?When you look at the team we played at the weekend, we had four forwards, with little Dani Sanchez tucked in behind Adam Rooney.
?When we broke we looked ruthless and dangerous and that we could score with every chance.
?It was really positive and we have to take it forward into Saturday. There is no reason why we should fear playing anyone at home.?
Butcher has backed his forwards to keep up their goalscoring exploits in the coming weeks.
He added: ?The players certainly adapted well and I think sometimes as a player if you are given a bit of freedom, especially as a striker, then you relish that opportunity.
?We have good supply from the likes of Russell Duncan and David Proctor in midfield, who can pass the ball well ? as can the full backs.
?As long as you have movement up front you have a chance.
?The players certainly made it work. You can throw systems at players and ask them to do things and be rigid about it.
?But, particularly with the front four, I told them to play as they saw it.
?I gave them their starting positions and they took it from there.?
"The only concern is that the old middle aged guy with the dodgy goatee has to tend to the mentally ill of Lancashire this weekend but I am reliably informed that he wil be back on the terraces in Tinkerville.