RETURNING TO GET IT WRIGHT
Saints back from break determined to cut out errors
The international break provided St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright with time to dissect recent performances.
Discovering the reason for conceding more goals than the norm was the main area of concern for the Northern Irishman.
And he has again highlighted the need to cut out individual errors, which have cost the Perth side crucial points in recent weeks.
Wright’s men shipped three goals on two occasions in the month of September at Dundee and Aberdeen respectively.
The Perth boss said: “To me the international break doesn’t matter. We knew it was coming and our plans weren’t going to change because of the result at Aberdeen.
“We had some time off but we have also worked hard and had the testimonial match with Dundee.
“I spent a bit of time looking at the goals we have conceded. I can safely say nine of the 11 in the league have been down to individual errors.
“We could be in an even stronger position.
“But we have made it far too easy for teams to score against us, especially in the last two away games with Aberdeen and Dundee.
“We have given away too many cheap goals. That is something that has to improve to get us back on a winning run.
“My focus is on us trying to cut out individual errors and certainly play with a lot more energy and press much more than we did at Aberdeen.”
Perth players did keep the legs moving despite the international break with Dave Mackay’s testimonial on Friday evening against Dundee.
There was a cameo goalkeeping appearance from midfielder Murray Davidson and, despite his best efforts, he failed to keep a clean sheet.
Wright joked: “Brian Clough once called a Polish goalie a clown. Murray proved he is a clown in goals when he came on against Dundee.
“He had a save or two which weren’t out of the goalkeeping manual. It was effective, I will give him that. But from the technical point of view let’s just say it was unorthodox to say the least.
“He has always fancied himself as a keeper. Murray likes to go in goal after training sessions. He made an
unbelievable penalty save last week.
“He has always been nagging Paul Mathers to join in. So we put him under the spotlight.
“He might argue he came through it but I would say it highlighted a lot of deficiencies in his game.
“But Murray certainly added to the evening. It was good fun. And it was greatseeingtheformerplayerscoming along to add to Dave’s night.”
During the game, which Dundee won 5-3, Denny Johnstone and David Wotherspoonpickedupknocksbutwill be back to face Rangers on Friday.
Wright added: “Blair Alston will be backinfulltrainingafteragoodSunday session and he could be in the squad.
“Michael O’Halloran can’t play anyway because of the terms of the loan and Richard Foster is suspended. “Other than that I have no concerns. “MikeywouldhavemadetheRangers game but we will take it easy with him and he will definitely be ok for Hearts.
“We will make sure he uses the time wisely.”
Full-backFosterreceivedatwo-game ban from the SFA at the tail end of last week for allegedly kicking referee Alan Muir’sdressingroomdoorfollowinglast month’s defeat at Dens Park.
Wright said: “We accepted the two gamebanforRichard.Hewasapologetic and we will just get on with it.”