ST JOHNSTONE’S desperate start to the season continued on Saturday afternoon with a spiritless 2-1 defeat to Forfar; the Station park side have progressed into the last 16 of the Betfred League Cup but for St Johnstone, problems are glaring on the cusp of the curtain coming up on a fresh campaign.
Having prided themselves for so long on being in the top echelons of the league for so long, Tommy Wright’s side look to be on the brink of a significant fall from grace.
Saints have lost to League One opposition twice in the space of ten days – Montrose also beat them in this ill-fated League Cup campaign – and Wright does not have his problems to seek. With less than a week until the opening game of the season at Celtic Park on Saturday, St Johnstone’s issues are clear. Correcting them is less obvious.
Liam Craig (left) had to deputise at left-back at the weekend and if there is a soft centre in Tommy Wright’s side at the back there is a toothlessness about them up front. Wright bristled when asked about a return to the negotiating table for striker Stevie May but it’s clear that a need for arrivals is pressing.
Veteran Craig has acknowledged the urgency of the situation but has maintained that there is time for St Johnstone to steady themselves.
“We have been in worst positions,” he said. “Last year we were beaten 6-0 by Celtic at home and then went eight games without conceding a goal. Look, it is a week before the start of the season and obviously the club are working on bringing people in.
“But whether they do or not, the boys who are here have to step up to the mark. We have a league season ahead of us that we are looking forward to. It is going to be difficult but it is difficult every season.
“It is just about doing the simple things well, defending properly and being ruthless in both boxes.
“If we put that right, we will be fine.”
Forfar had set the tone for the afternoon with a goal less than two minutes into the game when Callum Tapping netted. Ross Forbes doubled their advantage with a free-kick before Matty Kennedy pulled one back for St Johnstone that proved to be little other than a statistical footnote.
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