HE TORE through them on Tuesday night but Richie Foran, the Inverness manager, insists he and the players remain united as they seek to break a three-month run without a league victory.
After a draw with Partick Thistle, the hefty midweek defeat to Hamilton Accies saw the Irishman’s patience snap for the first time since embracing management in the summer.
Calling the players “bottlers” and questioning their appetite for the fight at the foot of the Premiership table, it was a searing attack – and one Foran stands by.
But the 36-year-old Dubliner cut a more conciliatory tone approaching today’s home tussle with Dundee and backed the players to prove their mettle in coming matches.
Foran said: “The boys are hurting, just as I am. It's in the past now. We had a good chat and we move on. We're still united. I had some hard words for them in the press – I questioned their bottle and mentality. It's up to them to show I was wrong to question them.
“I'm not worried [what I said] will affect them. I've looked after them all season and I can't keep pampering them. We're all guilty of not doing our jobs. I'm not doing my job and they're not doing their jobs. I watched the game back and some of them were weak.
“Sometimes, when you have a go publicly, it can work for you because you're looking for reactions.
"You get quite emotional after games, but I stand by most of it. I've huge respect for the players and I like them all.
“What they give us from Monday to Friday in training is unbelievable. But they need to bring it into games now that there's a bit of pressure on them.
“The boys are big enough and strong enough to handle the flak. I want them to show me who the hungry and the brave lads are.”
Dundee and their manager Paul Hartley are hardly in a good place either.
"I am sure the Inverness players and managers will be hurting after taking a bit of criticism for their last result, a bit like ourselves," said Hartley.
“They will be wanting a reaction, a bit like ourselves.They still have good players and I think the first goal will be vital.
“I think there are six or seven teams in much the same situation, looking over their shoulder but knowing that a couple of results can put you right up the table."
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