Ross County have grown accustomed to being involved in relegation battles since their return to the Scottish Premiership two years ago. They were involved in a relegation battle before the suspension of the 2019-20 season, and the following season, they survived on the final day of the season, with a win over Motherwell. Ross County currently sit at the bottom of the Premiership after 12 games. They have one win, three draws, and eight losses, gaining six points in the process.
Despite their poor form, manager Malky Mackay has assured that the Staggies have nothing to fear. Their only win of the season was a 5-0 thrashing of Dundee. Regan Charles-Cook has been one of the few bright sparks for County this season, and he got on the scoresheet in the game against Dundee. Charles-Cook has a total of six-goal contributions so far, with four goals and two assists.
The young Londoner, after arriving from Gillingham in summer 2020, looked a shadow of his impressive former self. Now one of the first names in manager Malky Mackay’s side, he has played with a buzz and energy, scored twice, and proven to be one of the main providers of chances. It was very different last season, as Charles-Cook dropped in and out of the team showing only flashes of his ability.
Ross County have started most of their league games in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and Charles-Cook has been playing on the left side in the front four for Ross County. He has featured as a wide forward, with a tendency to move inwards when he has the ball. He is a brilliant dribbler and can get past defenders in the wider areas of the pitch. He has also switched flanks at times, so the defenders do not get a chance to settle down and are kept busy by attacking from both flanks.
The above visual shows us the attacking and creativity stats for Charles-Cook in the Scottish Premiership. The stats indicate that he has been better than most of the players in the league as the numbers are better than the average league value. He has averaged 0.36 goals per 90 minutes and has also managed to keep 43.75% of his shots on target. The winger has attempted 11.84 offensive duels per 90 minutes and is better than 91% of the players in the league for the same.
He has the fourth-highest number of successful dribbles in the league and has completed 52 dribbles so far. He averages 6.23 dribbles per 90 minutes and also has a very high success rate of completing dribbles. He has completed 74.29% of his dribbles.
The pass map for Charles-Cook indicates that he has been playing on both flanks for Ross County but has featured more on the left flank, as that is his natural position. He has attempted several short passes to maintain possession and also played more progressive passes. Most of the crosses he has put in from the left flank have a high xT. As he attempts more dribbles from the flanks, it helps him to get into threatening positions from where he can put good balls into the penalty area.
The above visual shows us the shots that Charles-Cook has attempted on target. Cook has a total of seven shots on target and has scored four goals from these attempts. Most of his shots are from the left flank as he cuts in and takes a crack at the goal. He has scored three of his goals from inside the box and one goal from the edge of the penalty area.
County manager Mackay remains confident in Charles-Cook’s ability to help Ross County overturn their form. Furthermore, he is thrilled in the manner the winger has played in recent matches. County’s upcoming fixtures in the league will be of utmost importance in deciding whether they will move out of the relegation zone or not.
