St Johnstone’s highs this season have been higher than they were in the one before according to goalkeeper Alan Mannus, but unfortunately their lows have been lower.
Twice the Perth men have thrashed teams 4-0 in the Premiership in the current campaign, and twice the Perth men have conceded the same amount of goals in the subsequent fixture.
They did score three of their own to nearly earn a fighting draw in Paisley at the weekend with 10 men, but Mannus admitted that doesn’t cover up the fact they have once again suffered a dip in form after an eye-catching victory.
The Northern Irish international, who saved one penalty but couldn’t keep out another, said: “It looked like we were going to get a draw out of it, which would have been a good point considering we were down to 10 men and we’d been behind three times in the game, so it was really disappointing to get nothing.
“We shouldn’t concede four goals against anybody, and obviously I play my part in that. Last year we were down to nine men and we kept it to 1-1 here.
“We beat Ross County 4-0 and then lost 4-0 the next week to Dundee United. A few weeks later we beat Inverness 4-0 and now we’ve conceded four again.
“That’s how it’s gone for us. I don’t know why that is.
“Our good games have been better than last year. We’re not a team that’s good enough to win if we don’t play near to our best. That showed today.
“But if we do play our best we can beat anybody. It’s just about getting that consistency.”
Saints striker Steven MacLean was stretchered off late in the match with a knee injury, and his manager was left waiting for news.
Manager Tommy Wright said: “It’s too early to say. We just have to wait and see. He felt a reaction to how he landed earlier in the game.”
Murray Davidson also has a knee problem and didn’t make the matchday squad on Saturday.