Today’s game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle will represent a “fresh start” for the St Johnstone players, according to David Wotherspoon.
The Perth men are determined to sort out their poor home form, and the defensive errors that are responsible for it, against a Caley Thistle side that has only won one match out of their last eight.
“We need three points,” Wotherspoon admitted. “It’s been a long while since we’ve done that.
“Silly mistakes have cost us, and late goals have cost us as well.
“But we’ll put that out of our minds now, though. This is a fresh start this weekend.
“It’s been a mini-break for us and the boys are looking forward to getting back into it this weekend.
“We watched the Ross County game back and we knew that we had made mistakes against them.
“The goals we conceded were very poor and easily rectified.
“But these things happen. We’ve drawn a line under it.”
Saints have built their modern day reputation on defensive solidity.
Even though that has temporarily deserted them, the creativity at the other end of the pitch does not appear to be as big an issue.
“We’ve been scoring good goals and we’ve had some nice build-up play,” said Wotherspoon.
“We need to keep that going, be positive and shut up shop at the back.
“Over the past few seasons we’ve become renowned for our solid bank of four and not conceding lightly.
“The Ross County goals were the opposite of what people have come to expect from us.
“It’s a case of us making sure we are switched on.”
Frustration at dropped home points and four headed goals being conceded hasn’t gone yet but Wotherspoon is also mindful that their league position (fifth) is still a very good one.
“When you get three points it makes a big difference because the league is so tight,” he said.
“We’re still sitting in a nice position. We just need to build on that.”
Wotherspoon’s contract is due to run out in the summer and the former Hibs man revealed that negotiations over an extension could be about to commence.
“The manager has said that talks are going to start soon,” he said. “I’m just waiting to hear back from the club and we’ll see how it goes.
“I’ve loved my time here.
“If I stay for longer, that’s great. At the moment I just want to focus on my football. Doing it on the pitch is all that matters just now.”
Danny Swanson has been linked with a move to Wotherspoon’s old club and he can understand the interest from Easter Road.
But, as with his own situation, Wotherspoon believes Swanson will be putting off-field issues to one side at the moment.
He said: “Of course we want Danny to stay. He’s a great player and has been fantastic for us at the start of the season.
“Hopefully for us and him that continues.
“It’s not a surprise that things like this come up. But at the moment we all just need to focus on what we’re doing and forget about things in the future.
“I’m sure he will put it to the back of his mind and let the football take care of itself.”
Zander Clark, Murray Davidson and Joe Shaughnessy should all be fit. Chris Millar won’t be risked but Keith Watson may make it back on to the bench.
