SAINTS MUST PICK UP PACE Murray insists Perth side need to start matches quicker
Murray Davidson Murray Davidson wants St Johnstone to rid themselves of sluggish starts when competitive football returns later this month.
The Perth midfielder was speaking in the aftermath of the club’s disappointing Tayside derby defeat against rivals Dundee on Saturday afternoon.
Saints were faced with an uphill battle after falling behind in only the second minute of a game which they eventually lost 2-0.
Davidson knows how important the first goal is in the Scottish Premiership and insists Tommy Wright’s men must fire out of the blocks quicker.
“You can’t start games like that and expect to get away with it,” Davidson told the Perthshire Advertiser. “We started the game extremely poorly.
“I felt we were getting into the game but then the sending off is a set-back.
“Being one down with 10 men, we changed the shape and I thought second half we played very well and were the better team.
“We felt we could get higher up the park and we did that. We got in good areas and had good chances.
“Stefan’s free-kick is so unlucky and then the goalie has a great save from big Liam Gordon.
“We were pushing for the equaliser and obviously they make it two. But, as I said, you can’t start games like that.
“It is something we need to look at because it wasn’t good enough.
“We get told plenty to start games at a tempo - if you start the game right it stands you in good stead. We haven’t done that and on Saturday it cost us.
“In this league there is not a lot in it between teams. If you start games at the tempo we did and don’t start correctly then it’s difficult. “The first goal is so big in this league.” Perth players have been given time off for rest and recovery ahead of returning to training next week.
When action does return at the end of January, Davidson hopes Saints can
David comes with an impressive scoring record and has scored at Europa League and Champions League qualifying level
re-discover the home form of previous campaigns.
“It’s always disappointing when you don’t win games,” he explained. “We feel we are good enough to win games at home.
“We have done it in the past. Our away form has been good and when the dust settles we’ve not had a bad start to the season.
“We are only three points worse off from last year with a game in hand.
“At the moment it is hugely disappointing because we were targeting Saturday’s game to try and kick on. We don’t have a game for a while so we will get a wee break.
“When we come back in we have a very busy period. We’ll go away, recharge the batteries and then try to push on.”
Irish striker David McMillan will join up with his new team-mates at the beginning of next week.
Speaking on the possibility of any other new arrivals, Davidson said: “It’s up to the people upstairs but I’m sure the manager will be looking to strengthen.”
Saints’ Scottish Premiership fixture at home to Rangers will take place on Tuesday, February 27 (7.45pm kick-off ). The game has been brought forward one day and is live on BT Sport.