The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Saints boss tackles ‘air of negativity’
Positive Wright calls for perspective in stronger league
St Johnstone have become a “victim of our past success”, according to St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright, as he addressed the “air of negativity” that has drifted towards McDiarmid Park.
With six top-six finishes in a row and a points total in this Premiership campaign that compares well with previous seasons, Wright felt the time was right to find a bit of perspective.
The Northern Irishman, whose side is just two points off fifth place, said: “I always sense there’s an air of negativity about the place, but not amongst the players and staff. My job is to remain positive.
“I would like more points and to be playing well more consistently. But the league is stronger this year and we are only two points worse off than the same stage last season.
“We had 29 points after the December games last year and I know we have a lot of hard games coming up, starting with Aberdeen and Rangers this week.
“At this stage last year we had 23 points and we are just two worse off right now. Yes, we can be better but we aren’t as bad as some people are making out.
“I think because the league is so tight everyone is looking down rather than up. So Saturday was an important win for us, taking us to within two points of a Motherwell side who are having a brilliant season.
“It’s a lot tougher this season but we still have a lot to be positive about. We are only 16 games in.”
A glance at the position Partick Thistle currently find themselves in adds weight to Wright’s pep talk.
“Look at what is happening at Partick at the minute,” he said. “They were superb last season, making the top six for the first time.
“So that shows you how well the players at this club have done here season after season.
“We have been top six for six years. “That is great for a club of our size, without blowing the budget at any time to keep us there.
“Maybe we are victims of our past success, with our own support rather than the media.”
He added: “We were top of the league in September and yes we have been on a bad run.
“But we have been fifth, sixth or seventh.
“Every club from Hearts down has near identical records.
“We have bad runs every year and they are not nice, but our belief is always that we will win the next game, no matter how bad a run we are on.
“We have also introduced two or three younger players and that will continue.”
Saints face Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park tomorrow night with games against Rangers and Hearts to follow.
“We are now playing three teams that are above us in the league,” said Wright.
“Aberdeen are up there where they want to be and fighting for second place.
“They have a really strong squad of players.
“It has probably been a tough period for Derek (McInnes), but in management you’re facing tough scenarios all the time.
“He is experienced enough to have dealt with it.
“I’m sure he is happy all the speculation can end now.
“But what is happening at other clubs regards their managers isn’t my concern. I am just preparing my players for a tough game against Aberdeen and when that one is out of the way we have another tough one coming up against Rangers.”
Steven MacLean is back in the squad and Chris Millar should also return.
Denny Johnstone, though, is an illness doubt.
“Denny Johnstone is ill and hasn’t come in today,” Wright said. “It’s disappointing for him because I thought he did well at Hamilton when he came on. We will assess him in the build-up to the game.”
He added: “I didn’t think it was smash and grab at Hamilton.
“For me, that’s more like Everton getting a point from the Merseyside derby with Liverpool.
“They had a couple of good first-half chances, but after we scored we dealt well with long balls into the box.
“Zander (Clark) had a couple of really good saves to make but it wasn’t as if our goal was being pummelled. And I would defend the players because making the final pass on that surface is difficult.
“It was a good solid performance from us and one that hopefully we can build on.”