Spl Latest... Gus Warns His Misfiring Saints They Have To Stop Sinning In Front Of Goal
GUS MacPHERSON has told his St Mirren players they have to be more clinical in front of goal if they want to climb the SPL table.
Saints' three-game unbeaten run, their best since they returned to the top flight last season, ended at the weekend when they lost 1-0 at Inverness.
St Mirren have scored just eight goals in 13 SPL outings and while the Buddies boss was pleased with the passing football his side showed at Caley Thistle he is ordering them to show a ruthless streak and kill teams off.
MacPherson said: "It's a crucial period because the games are going to come thick and fast over the festive period. You just want to try to pick up points consistently.
"We played well in Inverness but never took anything and that's always a fear at this level of football.
"We've just got to try to be a wee bit more ruthless. When you play well and you're creating chances you've got to take them. The most important thing in this game is putting ball in the back of the net.
"For the last six or seven weeks we've played some pretty good stuff but we've not taken the points we've deserved to take. But we've just got to keep being positive and keep reminding the players of all the good things they are doing.
"We feel the way we are passing the ball has us in control of games now.
Having the confidence to do that is a major part of how we're trying to go about our business.
"A major attribute is our work ethic and we can't afford to lose that. If we were to go and compete against the majority of the teams in this league, man for man, then they are stronger.
But we've a lot of confidence and we've shown we are a passing team.
"We've done that a lot better than we did last year and that comes from the confidence and experience to play at this level."
While the striker MacPherson brought in to get goals, Craig Dargo, is progressing with his rehabilitation, the Saints boss received a boost as defender Ian Maxwell, who has been sidelined all season with a knee injury, returned to training.
MacPherson said: "Ian has joined in training but is still not yet near match fitness. There is a chance he could play for the reserves on Tuesday at Inverness."
The gaffer hopes to bring in new players in the January transfer window but refused to be drawn on Inverness midfielder John Rankin's comments that the Buddies want to sign him.
The Saints boss said: "You're always looking to strengthen but if you're bringing players in you've got to make sure they will strengthen your squad.
"But that is not the priority at the moment, the most important thing is league games and trying to get back to putting points on the board.
"John mentioned St Mirren but he's an Inverness player and we never talk about players who are at other clubs."
