Watkins hails ICT's passing game
MARLEY Watkins insists Caley Thistle’s passing game suits him down to the ground – as the Inverness side target a first victory under new boss John Hughes.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who joined the Scottish Premiership club in the summer after impressing at Hereford and Bath City, is getting fitter and stronger by the week.
Hughes is expected to take to the ICT dug-out this weekend as they travel to basement side Hearts, who are there largely thanks to the Edinburgh club being docked 15 points for entering administration earlier this year.
The Lewisham-born wide man is settling in well and he says the switch to the North of Scotland has been working out well so far.
He explained: "The tempo of the game here is very quick. I am still getting up to fitness, but the standard is excellent and the boys really help.
"The whole environment around the club is awesome. We play a lot of good football here, which is something I haven’t really had at clubs before. Previously, teams have played the long ball, but at Caley Thistle I feel it suits my game. I am still getting to know the boys, but I can see they are quality.
"I think we are strong all over the pitch. I am confident that we can keep this form going. We are a determined and honest bunch of players. We are looking to carry on working hard and carry on improving and, with our attitude and team spirit, we can continue what we have achieved so far this season."
A battling display last weekend helped Inverness CT come back from Paisley with a point from their 0-0 draw with St Mirren.
Watkins, who made his starting debut in the late October 2-1 League Cup quarter-final win over Dundee United, told the HN that they had no complaints about the weekend’s result, but hopes they can give Hughes a better sign of what they are capable of against the Jambos at Tynecastle.
He explained: "A point was probably fair. They were the better team in the first half, but we came out and were much better in the second half.
"We didn’t play to our best, but it was a good sign that, despite that, we still took a point.
"Our defence has been great recently and you look at Dean Brill, he pulled off some great saves on Saturday. All credit to the team, we work very well together and we’ve been solid in recent games.
"We are all responding well to the new manager. He is a very positive guy. Training has been good and he has been putting on really good sessions.
"Unfortunately we didn’t show him on Saturday how good we really are, but there’s plenty of time to do that."
