Saints must find way to stop self-inflicted woes

ST JOHNSTONE: Wright sees positives but urges team to cut out the slips

St Johnstone have to stop shooting themselves in the foot, according to manager Tommy Wright.

The last game against Aberdeen which Saints lost by the odd goal in seven was one example when they only had themselves to blame, the McDiarmid Park boss pointed out.

And Tuesday night at Firhill was another.

“Take nothing away from them (Aberdeen) last time but we contributed to our own downfall,” Wright said.

“We must make sure we don’t do that again. Both teams have things to play for with a title race and a place in the top six.

“There’s pressure on both sides, but I thought our performance against Thistle was good even if we contributed to our own downfall.

“There are positives from the last two games to take up to Aberdeen.”

Wright doesn’t have a points total in mind that will secure a top six place.

“I don’t think anyone knows as it’s so tight,” he said.

“In the past 42 would have guaranteed you it but no one knows this season.

“This time of the year every game is vital and we have enough matches left to get enough points to make the top six. It’s in our hands.”

Meanwhile, it will be an unfamiliar midfield that starts at Pittodrie, with Chris Millar and Murray Davidson both out injured.

Wright said: “Darnell (Fisher) can go there, Scott Brown, David Wotherspoon – we just have to deal with it.

“Macca (Steven MacLean) is fit but we thought it was better to give him a rest with games coming Tuesday, Saturday.

“Easty (Brian Easton) is seeing a specialist today and hopefully he can get the boot off and start training.

“Come Wednesday Murray, Midge and Easty could come back but we need to deal with Aberdeen first.”

New signing Plamen Krachunov came off the bench at Firhill to make his debut.

“I thought he did OK when he came on the other night,” Wright said. “I’d have no problem playing him if we chose that.

“He speaks a little bit of English. We’ve looked into classes for him and he’ll soon pick it up among the lads.

“The issue is getting to know the players more than the language.”

Wright is happy that dates have been confirmed for two rearranged fixtures against Inverness Caley Thistle (March 9) and Ross County (March 16).

“I’m glad they came out as we have been trying to get games arranged,” he said. “It’s worked out well as we could have had 10-12 days without a game.

“Then we could have had the international break as well.

“We could have gone from March 2 to March 16 without a game and then even the 16th might have been off it there was a cup replay.

“To not have a big gap between games is good from our point of view.”

Group. Picture: SNS Plamen Krachunov: getting to know the players but could be used against Aberdeen.