WE CAN STILL CLIMB BACK INTO TOP SIX
TOMMY WRIGHT insists St Johnstone can still claw their way back into the top six.
But with games running out before the split his priority is restoring that winning feeling.
Saints have been blown off course by a dismal run of form that has yielded just one point from 24.
And after posting clean sheets for fun earlier in the campaign they’ve thrown away leads against Hibs and Livingston to slip to eighth in the Premiership.
Wright said: “We can’t be feeling sorry for ourselves.
“We have to work hard and keep trying to improve. It’s obvious the areas where we have to do better.
“After 33 games last year we had 38 points. We have that after 29 games this season.
“Overall it has been a good season in terms of our targets. People might disagree but I don’t care.
“It’s coloured by us being in this horrible run and that encourages negativity outwith the club.
“I detest losing so it’s not been great for me, the staff, the players and the fans.
“But we have to remain positive. The bottom line is we’re doing better than BY GORDON BANNERMAN last season when we were looking over our shoulder a bit in terms of 11th place.
“That isn’t the case this season. But we have to improve because results haven’t been good enough.
“Overall responsibility is mine but the players must take responsibility as well.
“It’s how we react to situations going against us that’s been worrying. We have to be stronger.
“We had miles more possession than Livingston but I’ve been saying for years possession doesn’t win you games. We had only five shots with nearly 60 per cent of the ball.
“Build-up play is too slow and people aren’t being brave enough on the ball.
“At the other end of the pitch players who were turning in a great run of clean sheets earlier in the season are being punished for their mistakes.”
But the Perth boss added: “We still have an opportunity to make the top six.
“I’m concentrating on getting back on track with three points against St Mirren on Saturday.
“Hopefully that will kickstart things and we can go again.”