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Ross County travel to face First Division leaders Livingston today with the philosophy that attack is the best form of defence.
County boss Neale Cooper has promised to go all out for the three points at Almondvale against the West Lothian Lions. County go into the match with confidence after a resurgence of form which has seen them find their feet in their first season in the First Division.
High point of the revival was their victory over Caley Thistle in the Highland derby, followed by victories over Morton and Alloa.
Cooper said: "In our last four games we have won three, so this has been a big plus. The Livingston match will be a difficult game. They put us out of the Challenge Cup. Livingston will feel they have something to prove after their defeat by Falkirk and that will be enough to motivate them.
"For ourselves, it was important to get the victory last week because we knew we had two big matches, against Livingston and Falkirk. Livvy are favourites for the title and have been going well, but that won't stop us going down to have a right go at them."
The Dingwall side go into the match without Frank Escalon, Craig Taggart and John Fraser, but loan signing Andy Smith is expected to play from the start.
Kilmarnock's Smith looked tired last week, but Cooper feels he will be sharper with a full week of training behind him.
Cooper paid tribute to Davie Ross, who joined Third Division Elgin City for a nominal fee yesterday. He said: "Ross has been a great servant to the club and at this stage of his career I appreciate he wants to play every week. He will do a good job for Elgin and I wish him well."
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Neale Cooper may not have the financial backing of his Ayr United counterpart Gordon Dalziel but he is confident his Ross County team can surprise the promotion contenders in Dingwall today.
Ayr and Livingston have left the remainder of the First Division standing with their forays into the transfer market this season.
Ayr's close-season signings from Hibernian John Hughes and Michael Renwick miss out today, as does Gary Teale.
But Steven Boyack has left Dundee after being frozen out by new Dark Blues manager Ivano Bonetti and makes his debut for the Honest Men.
The former Rangers winger is rated in the £500,000 class and will be keen to impress the watching scouts as he looks to pick up his career after Dundee.
County will also be out for revenge after their opening day 1-0 defeat to Ayr at Somerset Park, when John Fraser and Brian Irvine were sent off by referee George Clyde.
Cooper said: "Ayr are a strong side, but we will have a go against them. When we played against them the last time we were unlucky with the sending-offs.
"But there are no doubts they are a quality side and hopefully we can get that lucky break."
While defensively County are holding their own in the First Division it is the old problem of goalscoring which has reared its head again.
Recent loan signing from Kilmarnock Andy Smith has yet to open his account for County, but Cooper is confident that once he regains full fitness he will be a valuable asset to the club.
"I think defensively all the teams in the league have conceded roughly the same number of goals, but it is only Alex Bone who is scoring regularly for us," added Cooper.
"Andy Smith should be getting fitter and hopefully he can come in and do a job for us."
Dalziel's team are edging towards the top of the table after a slow start to the campaign and he is confident his players can build on their recent form.
County welcome Frank Escalon and Brian Irvine back into the squad, but Craig Taggart is doubtful with an ankle injury.
Eddie Cunnington misses out as he serves a one-game suspension.
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Elgin City and Ross County fight it out at Borough Briggs tonight (7.30) for a place in the Inverness Cup final with both sides expected to field strong sides.
City boss Alex Caldwell said: "I'll be putting out as strong a side as possible with only 14 signed players at my disposal, backed up by some good youngsters but, with a place in the final at stake, we'll be giving it our best shot.
"Lads who have been on the bench lately will get their chance to show what they can do and possibly play themselves into the side for Saturday, but we know we'll be facing full-time players and it won't be an easy task to progress.
"Hopefully, we'll hope to have a good crowd to cheer us on in what should be an entertaining game. We're striving for consistency and it will be an interesting challenge as I view this game as a continuation of our league campaign."
Meanwhile, County coach Gordon Chisholm revealed he also intends to field a fairly strong side laced with a sprinkling of youth.
Chisholm said: "Craig Taggert will continue his return to full fitness in a midfield role while other fringe first team players will also feature although Brian Irvine, who played in the last round, is now back in the first team and will not appear.
"In addition, promising youngsters like Martin Canning, Alan Lees and Steven Mackay should relish the challenge of playing in a cup semi-final, especially if they have aspirations of claiming a regular place in a First Division side.
"We'll certainly be up for the game and are delighted to have the chance to possibly reach a cup final."
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Ross County defender Eddie Cunnington was released from hospital yesterday after a bout of blood poisoning.
The former Hamilton and Dunfermline full back was laid low by the problem after a cut foot in training became infected.
The experienced defender is now on the road to recovery, but he will not be ready for tomorrow's visit to Airdrie.
Manager Neale Cooper said: "Eddie was in hospital for a couple of days, but he got out yesterday and he will spend a few days at home before he returns to training. He suffered a cut foot during training and the foot became infected.
"It will probably be a week or two before he is ready to make a first team return."
Cooper has decided to add young reserve striker Craig Campbell to his squad, with Alex Bone suspended and Andy Smith returning early to Kilmarnock after his loan spell.
The 16-year-old has been a regular scorer in the reserves this season and Cooper is looking for him to continue his footballing education.
Frenchman Frank Escalon is struggling with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
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Ross County manager Neale Cooper has warned his players to forget about the league placings when they face bottom-of-the-table Airdrie today.
County travel to New Broomfield in Division One with a five-point gap separating the two clubs.
While County have performed ably in their first season in the First Division, Steve Archibald's league of nations side has struggled to adjust to the Scottish game. The former Aberdeen and Barcelona striker has bought from mainly the Spanish market as he looks to bring good times to Airdrie.
However, with only one win this season his team is struggling to adapt to life in the First Division.
Cooper, however, believes the Diamonds are ready to shine and he hopes it will not happen today.
Cooper said: "The first time we played them this season ended in a draw and I thought it was one of the harder matches we have played. They are at the bottom of the league but I think it would be fair to say that is a false position.
"You have the teams up at the top but, apart from that, I don't believe there is much between any of the teams in this division."
County could have moved level with rivals Caley Thistle last week if they had not thrown away advantages against Clyde.
County were twice a goal ahead at Broadwood but were pegged back on each occasion.
Cooper knows his side cannot afford to be as slack if County are to consolidate their placing in the league.
"I was not happy with the goals we conceded last week, especially as we were in front twice in the match," said Cooper.
"We scored two goals in a match for the first time this season and that was pleasing, but we need to tighten up at the back.
"Airdrie have some good players like Craig Ireland, who is always a threat at set-pieces. They also have Fernandez, who is a very good player, and also McCann on the other wing."
County have their injury and suspension problems for the trip with Eddie Cunnington (blood poisoning) and Frank Escalon (hamstring) both missing.
Top scorer Alex Bone will also watch from the sidelines as he serves a one-match suspension.
As a result, Cooper adds 16-year-old Craig Campbell to the squad.
"He has fitted in well with the other players and we would have no hesitation in putting him in if it was required," added Cooper.
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