Cowie 'would love chance' to stay at County - but should he?
After three seasons of swirling the Scottish Premiership plug hole, Ross County were eventually flushed down the drain on Monday following their play-off collapse.Closing in on the half-time whistle in Dingwall, Don Cowie's men were two goals up on aggregate against second-tier Livingston.But a second-leg capitulation, conceding four times from the 39th minute, was symptomatic of their end-of-season form.When Cowie's side beat Kilmarnock 1-0 at home at the start of March, a third win in four games, they were just two points off the top six and seven clear of 11th. But they have been in freefall in the 11 matches since, failing to win a single game."Back in February/March, I did not see this happening to County," former Premiership midfielder Michael Stewart said on BBC Sportsound."I thought they had enough grit and determination to see enough results through that they wouldn't have been dragged into the relegation play-off spot."Reflecting on the woeful form that was ultimately responsible for their relegation, manager Cowie said: "I accept the last three months has not been good enough. That's where we've got to take ownership and accountability."From where we were to where we've ended up is nowhere near good enough. I can only apologise. I'm someone from the area so it hurts more than most because I recognise the impact this will have on the community."Despite that, the County boss still has "hunger and belief" to attempt to guide the Highland side back to the top flight and he would "love to have that opportunity".Whether the club's board agree remains to be seen, but chairman Roy MacGregor is not shy in making brutal calls."Cowie is not naive enough to think questions won't be asked about him as a manager," former Scotland striker Kris Boyd said on Sky Sports."The form has been alarming. The squad has lost its identity. MacGregor is ruthless when he needs to be. Just because you're from [the area] doesn't mean you won't lose your job."Meanwhile, James McFadden wants to see the club show faith in Cowie as the ex-Scotland forward believes fans could see the best of the County manager in the second tier."We look at David Martindale, the whole talk is about them going back up, but there's been a change of style at Livingston," he said on Sky Sports. "Cowie has always been in a job where he's always fighting to stay in the league. Maybe we have a chance to see the best version of him going down, building the team in his image and getting a chance to grow as a manager."
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