Wright happy with Saints’ adaptability

Stjohnstonemanagertommy Wright feels his players are well equipped to cope if Saturday’s trip to Aberdeen turns into a tactical battle.

The teams are well matched, given Saints sit just behind Aberdeen in third place in the Ladbrokes Premiership, and there was only one goal – a last-gasp Adam Rooney strike in the Betfred Cup – in the first three games between the teams last season.

Both managers achieved tactical success last weekend with Wright matching Hamilton’s 3-5-2 formation to instigate a second-half comeback before Derek Mcinnes changed to a 4-3-3 formation forthesecondpartofadoubleheader against Motherwell.

Wright said: “A manager has to make a call on what formation he wants to play but, ultimately, if individuals don’t perform, your formation and tactics go out the window.

“But it is important to recognise that, if you can help your team, you are able to change it during the game. It was nothing new for the players because they worked on that shape in pre-season, so it was an easy transition to change from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2.

“We just keep doing the things we have been doing, that get you good results. But as a manager and a team you have always got to be prepared to tweak things.

“We have played with one striker. When Michael [O’halloran] and Stefan [Scougall] have been fit we have played a 4-2-3-1 system, and back to a 4-4-2.

“The one thing I have is players who are experienced and adaptable. If we do need to change, they can change.”

O’halloran returned to training yesterday following an ankle injury and is set to play at Pittodrie if there is no reaction, while Richard Foster has an “outside chance” of recovering from a calf knock. Partick Thistle have been dealt a fresh injury blow with news that Christie Elliott has suffered a broken ankle.

The full-back has been an ever-present so far this season, but limped off in the second half of the 1-1 draw with Hearts on Saturday after a collision with John Souttar.

Elliott appeared to land awkwardly following the aerial challenge, and manager Alan Archibald revealed he had suffered significant damage.the Jags boss said: “He has a fracture on his ankle.