TOMMY Wright is looking at today’s Tayside derby clash with Dundee as an opportunity to build on early-season momentum.

St Johnstone slipped to a 1-0 loss against Kilmarnock last weekend and allowed Rangers to move into fourth place in the Ladbrokes Premiership, but the Perth manager wants his team to strengthen their grip on a top-six spot before the end of the first quarter of the season.

“You look at the first batch of games, especially because a lot of teams have changed in terms of personnel, and try to get an idea of where everyone is going to be,” Wright said. “Celtic have changed their style, Rangers have come into the league. Kilmarnock have had a big turnover of players, and there have been teams like Hamilton and Dundee United who have been high in the league and have slipped away.

“As a manager you always look at your team and at others, then try to work out where everyone will finish. That’s why last weekend was frustrating for me because I looked at it and felt that if we could win that would keep us up in the middle of the top teams. There is a group of four or five who might break away but, us being St Johnstone, we would never take that for granted. You are always aware that things can change.

“So you want to get as many points on the board as early as possible. Getting to 17 points last weekend would have given the place a real lift. The longer you can keep up there in touch with the teams high up the league the better.”

One of Wright’s recent recruits, Blair Alston, admitted the squad were still licking their wounds after last week’s defeat.

“Last week was disappointing. We had such a decent start to the season and had a good away win at Ross County the week before,” the midfielder said. “It was a bit of a shock to us to lose the game. We know we need to take our chances when we’re on top of teams.”

The 24-year-old also admitted that despite making nearly 200 appearances for Falkirk, he has taken time to adjust to life in the top flight after arriving in the summer, but is now feeling more comfortable.

“At the start I found it harder than I thought,” he said. “But now I know everyone well, how they want to play, and I’m settling quite well.

“At no point did I think I’d come in and just play every week. I didn’t think I started as well as I knew I could. I’m not going to say I’m going to play every week now but I know where I need to be and what I need to do to make sure I’m in the team more often than not.

“There’s definitely a step up. The tempo is a lot faster and you’re playing against players who’ve played at this level an awful lot longer than I have.

“It’s always going to be a step up to this level but it’s something I wanted to do. It was going to take a bit of time to settle but I’m getting used to it. And I’m enjoying it.

“I’m delighted the manager has had faith in me to play as much as I have lately. There have been times I’ve missed out when the team have been doing well, but when you come out of the team, good players are going in ahead of you.

“It feels a little like starting from scratch. It’s totally different. But playing so many games at Falkirk has helped me massively. I’ve played against really good players before, just not quite as regularly. I certainly feel like I’m capable at this level. It’s now about standing my ground and saying I deserve to be here.”

Alston forged a reputation for creativity and now wants to add goals to his game. He’s had to tailor it to provide defensive cover but he is eager to get off the mark. He said: “The gaffer is good with me in that when I do go forward I’ve got the freedom to try to get into different areas.

“Perhaps playing against better opposition they’re going to punish you a bit more if I am out of position a lot or leave the full-back exposed. But I do feel I’m getting on the ball a lot.

“You are aware the opposition can hurt you a lot more at this level. Last year Rangers and Hibs were the two teams that punished us most. If you left yourselves exposed, they could capitalise. This year you know that any of the teams at any time can hurt you.”

Gordon Bannerman