Tommy Wright doesn’t need to be reminded that St Johnstone’s record against bottom six teams was no match for their form against the top six ones last season.
And he’s keen to make sure that there isn’t the same disparity this time around.
Beating 11th-placed Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park tomorrow would be a good way to kick off a run of four fixtures that features three home matches against sides which are currently in the bottom three places.
“We have thought about it and will mention it to the players,” Wright said of the previous campaign’s imbalance.
“Against the top six sides last year we had an incredible record. We’d have been second to Celtic on points gained in those games.
“But our record against sides that ended up in the bottom half of the table just wasn’t as good.
“Every game is important and we want to improve in that area. We will emphasise that to the players.
“Ultimately if you look back at last season we dropped too many points against teams that eventually ended up in the bottom half of the table.
“If you look at Ross County they averaged two points against teams that finished in the bottom six while we were around 1.2 points. So we know we have to take care of these games better this season if we are going to improve.”
Meanwhile, the luck of the Irish is continuing to desert loan striker Joe Gormley after he broke his nose in Saints’ under-20 match this week.
Wright reported: “Joe took a whack in the face in the development league game (1-1 v St Mirren) and had to come off.
“He broke his nose but it didn’t need an operation so he is in the squad.
“He hasn’t had much luck since coming here. But at least this is nothing too serious. It’s not affecting his breathing. There’s no risk to him by playing.
“We brought Joe in because we wanted competition. We knew when we signed Joe that he lacked match fitness because he was coming back from a serious operation.
“He knows there are three other strikers here and he has to work hard and compete with them to earn his place.
“No-one is guaranteed a place anymore and that is brilliant to have so much choice as a manager.”
One of the centre-forwards currently ahead of Gormley is Chris Kane, who scored in the recent victory against Ross County.
Wright said: “I had a chat with Kano (before the County match). Sometimes you have a sense that a player is due a goal.
“Kano works centre-halves and runs in behind. Overall his build-up and link-up play has improved.
“We do know he is a goalscorer. He is up a level now so it is a lot tougher to do it consistently.
“Maybe the number of chances coming his way are less but I have no doubt that if he stays in the team he will score goals.”
Tam Scobbie and Keith Watson are still unavailable.
