As the lowest scorers in the Premiership, the source of St Johnstone’s problems at the moment don’t require a deep dive.
It hasn’t just been an attacking issue, with a lack of chances created arguably more of a factor than golden opportunities being passed up by the strikers.
Saints have been unable to build on the momentum that was with them after their last game against Dundee, a complete team performance and a 3-1 win.
A look at the players who have become unavailable to manager Callum Davidson since that highpoint, particularly midfielders and forwards, helps explain this broken rhythm.
Courier Sport charts the post-Dundee game-to-game disruptions that have prevented Davidson from picking the same team two matches running, even if he had wanted to.
Livingston (H) – Ali Crawford was a starter in the comprehensive win against James McPake’s side but picked up a groin injury around the hour-mark that kept him out on the Premiership resumption after an international break.
Celtic (A) – Shaun Rooney went off with an ankle injury in the Livingston match and was sidelined for three subsequent fixtures.
Hearts (H) – David Wotherspoon picked up a calf injury at Parkhead and missed two games.
Dundee United (A) – After Hearts, Murray Davidson was only fit enough to take a place on the bench at Tannadice in case of emergency, while Lars Dendoncker and James Brown were ruled out completely having been brought off at half-time in the midweek.
St Mirren (H) – Cammy MacPherson, who had just played four games in a row, couldn’t face his parent club and then followed an international break.
Celtic (Hampden) – Stevie May and Glenn Middleton were both injured during that break – the former in training, the latter with Scotland’s under-21s.
Hibs (H) – David Wotherspoon injured his knee in the League Cup semi-final and Chris Kane was suspended after picking up a red card against St Mirren.
Dundee (A) – Craig Bryson will be banned at Dens Park.
