WRIGHT IS STILL LOOKING UP WITH SAINTS
IT IS now two-and-a-half months since a late Dave Mackay free-kick secured a dramatic 3-2 victory at Ross County and set a new St Johnstone record of seven consecutive away wins. Back then, on December 5, Saints fans could never have imagined that victories for their high-flying team would suddenly dry up altogether, no matter the venue. But in the nine games since in all competitions — home, away and at neutral Tynecastle — Tommy Wright’s team has entered a troubling form slump featuring seven defeats and two draws. Yet the Northern Irishman did not allow the egos in his team to get too puffed up when they were being hailed to the heavens following a fine 3-1 win at Rangers in the League Cup and a 5-1 rout of then-league leaders Aberdeen at Pittodrie. And neither will Wright let the critics sap his side’s confidence by labelling the same set of players an ‘ageing team’ who are stuck in a losing habit. ‘The average age of my squad is 26,’ said Wright. ‘That’s not an ageing team and we weren’t considered an ageing team in December when we were getting a lot of good results. Are the team tired? I see the players every day and I don’t see them tired. ‘No one said that in December when we were winning either. We’re not looking for excuses, we know we have to do better. But I believe the squad is strong enough to get in the top six. It’s down to me and the players to turn it round. ‘Yes we are not on a run we like but we are not panicking as we have been here before. ‘Everyone throws it up to us but we are still only a point off fourth place and just two points off where we were at this same stage last year. ‘So we are still in a good position — if we can get off this run. ‘We have to start winning but we have the experience to deal with this situation. It’s not all doom and gloom around here.’ In a bid to freshen up his squad, Wright took defender Daniel Adejo on trial after a spell training with Aberdeen, but he has returned to Italy to sign for Vicenza. The Saints boss is also running the rule over Bulgarian defender Plamen Krachunov and, intriguingly, former Real Madrid winger Julien Faubert. ‘He is a quality player but he hasn’t played since the end of last season, even though he’s been training with a club,’ said Wright. ‘That would be a slight concern but his ability is not in question. The quality he has means I have to decide if that’s worth waiting for. ‘Instead of three months, he might be influential for the last two months of the season, so I have to think about that. ‘Krachunov has come in and done very well. His last game was January and, in terms of match fitness, he’s ready to go. ‘Both players look like they would be good additions to the squad but we haven’t fully made our minds up yet. They have another few days here yet and then we will make a decision.’