Lee Cox write up

We have tracked down an Inverness fan to give us an insight of what to expect of Lee Cox, who became Swindon Town's newest addition. Iain Auld, of Moray Firth Radio, answers our questions.

In your opinion, what has been Lee Cox's best game in a Caley shirt?

Lee has been an extremely consistent performer in an Inverness shirt. Signed as a teenager he had to adapt to the hurly burly Scottish game in the unforgiving First Division and then when he became a regular in the midfield he had to adjust to the SPL coming up against the like of Celtic, Rangers and Hearts on a regular basis but I feel that Lee matured and grew with confidence every time he took to the field.
This season he’s been plagued with injuries and appearances have been few and far between but he eventually returned to the starting eleven before Christmas. One of his best performances this season was away to Motherwell a few weeks back. Inverness won the game and kept a first clean sheet this season and Lee was crucial in the game defending and leading the attack going forward.

Since joining ICT in 2009, Lee has made 60 appearances for Inverness, scoring 3 goals. Out of the 3 goals, do any of them stand out as a favourite?

Like the death of JFK who’ll remember your whereabouts when Lee Cox scores. He started by scoring two in his first three appearances with vital away goals. But it was his debut goal that stands out as a favourite. ICT had been relegated the season before and were heading to a goal-less draw away to Dunfermline on day one of the 09/10 just when they wanted the perfect winning start. Step forward Lee Cox, who drilled the ball into the net from a good 25/30 yards in stoppage time to hand them the three points and when you look back at the end of the season it turned out to be an important three points and goal.

Just how influential was Lee in the squad that went on to win the First Division?

Started the season as a younger member of the squad but would grow in confidence as the season progressed and keep out more experience members of the first team. As a relegated SPL side, everyone was out for the scalp of Inverness and as the season went on all teams were desperate to end their impressive unbeaten run. In potential tricky games Lee was always at the heart of the action and full deserved his title winner’s medal.

What type of player is Lee?

Tough tackling midfielder, never afraid to get stuck in and very tidy player when on the ball.

Paolo Di Canio has been known to get the best out of the Swindon players- most notably Simon Ferry, Matt Ritchie, Paul Caddis and Aden Flint. Do you consider Lee to have any strengths or weaknesses, and do you think Paolo could improve his game?

Working for Paolo Di Canio will not faze Lee because he’s worked under the England legend Terry Butcher for the past two and a half years who demands 110% of his players. I’ve noticed a real improvement in Lee since he joined Inverness and I think Di Canio will continue to aid the progression of Cox. One weakness of his game – right back! Butcher once employed Cox in this position for a league cup match against lower league team and although ICT won the match, Butcher would later claim that he would never play there for him ever again.

Just how much will Inverness miss Lee? There has certainly been mixed reactions after Inverness supporters finding out an offer had been accepted.

Position wise Inverness should be okay with the likes of former Stockport County man Greg Tansey, skipper Richie Foran, youngsters Nick Ross and Gavin Morrison in there as well as the return to full fitness of Welsh international Owain-Tudor Jones.
However Lee was considered a first team regular and one of the first names on the team-sheet under Terry Butcher, with him also coming of age and starting to really settle into the Scottish game, I believe he would’ve been a massive player for Inverness in the next few years.
Plus the harsh reality is Inverness can’t really afford to turn their noses up at the transfer fee and aren’t able to match the contract offered by Swindon Town.

And finally, what can Swindon fans expect of Lee?

100% commitment, a player who left England as rough gem but returns as a polished diamond

You can follow Iain on Twitter @auldyboy