St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas took some consolation from a dreadful 0-0 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Lomas praised his players for steadying the Saints ship after a miserable recent spell that saw them get hammered at home in the league by Dundee United and knocked out of the Scottish Cup in controversial style by Hearts.
It was a dull match but the upbeat Ulsterman could still look on the bright side.
”When you consider the week we have had it has been a mental rollercoaster all credit to the lads for picking themselves up and coming here to draw against an Aberdeen team that had been doing very well,” said Lomas.
”It wasn’t a classic by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe with just a little bit of composure in front of goal we might have won the game. Also, a big positive was that we got a clean sheet.
”I think it is a good point but it will become a great point if we go on and win next time at home (against Dunfermline). So in a week that has been difficult for the lads they have shown their character again.”
Some goalless draws defy their own scoreline, providing thrills and spills even though the ball never finds the net. Some give us controversy, talking points, skills and excitement, leaving the fans feeling they have had their money’s worth in spite of the stalemate.
Sadly for the 6,936 spectators at Pittodrie on Sunday, however, this wasn’t one of them.
It was actually a bit of a bore, with those in the stadium deserving much better and those watching at home on TV no doubt tempted by the remote control.
A goal never seemed close at any time and the only consolation the teams could take out of the match was their respective clean sheets.
It was sorry stuff and even the seagulls usually so prominent at Pittodrie turned their backs on the match, with precious few in sight.
Attendance: 6,936.
Photo by Lynne Cameron/PA Wire