WATCH AND LEARN
Video re-run of Livi clash provides plenty of positives for boss
Jim Goodwin was far happier with his St Mirren side’s performance in the 2-1 defeat at Livingston after watching the game back.
The Buddies battered Livi in the second half after conceding soft goals to Alan Lithgow and Lyndon Dykes either side of the break .
However, he was delighted with the way his team finished the Scottish Premiership tie at the Tony Macaroni Stadium on Saturday.
Skipper Kyle Magennis pulled the score back to 2-1 and despite not getting an equaliser Goody remains encouraged with his team’s start to the season.
“Every time you lose a game you are disappointed but I can’t fault the guys’ effort or commitment,” said the gaffer.
“The reaction at half time was excellent.
“I was feeling really disappointed after the game as I went up the road but when you actually sit and watch the game back, and analyse it, we probably played a lot better than I thought we did.
“Particularly in the second half, so there are plenty positives to take from it.”
Despite the good points Goodwin knows they can’t make similar mistakes at Dingwall next Saturday and leave the team with another mountain to climb.
The manager added: “We know the goals were sloppy and that’s the bottom line.
“If we go in at half-time and it’s 0- 0 I don’t think anyone could really argue.
“There wasn’t a great deal between the two teams.
“I felt we caused a lot of our own problems in the first half by giving away cheap possession and allowing them to counter attack on us.
“But we coped with pretty much everything they threw at us in regards to long balls up to Lyndon Dykes and competed well in the middle of the pitch.
“For whatever reason we weren’t able to create enough in the first half , but I think in the second half we penned them back and if we had got the first goal to make it one each, as opposed to giving away a second, I think we’d have gone on and won the game.
“So I’m really pleased with what the boys gave us.”
Goodwin continued: “Obviously, I’d rather have something to show for the efforts.
““We put that behind us now and look forward to Ross County next week.”