Jason Holt insists concentration is key if St Johnstone hope to stop shooting themselves in the foot with the concession of sloppy goals.
Saints gave as good as they got against Motherwell at McDiarmid on Saturday but they collectively switched off just before half-time, failing to defend a corner properly.
They were harshly punished with Devante Cole scoring what turned out to be the only goal of the game for the visitors.
McDiarmid boss Tommy Wright is tearing his hair out in frustration at the recurring problem and on-loan Ranger midfielder Holt admitted he and the rest of the players are equally as exasperated.
The 26-year-old said: “It was really frustrating.
“We lose a poor goal from a setpiece but there was really nothing in the game to be fair which makes it even tougher to take.”
When asked how Saints can stem the flow of sloppy goals, Holt said: “It is a team thing and everyone just has to keep concentrating at all times.
“Motherwell have not had to work particularly hard to get their goal.
“It was just a corner into the box, first and second phase.
“We are not giving ourselves a chance to win games as we are shooting ourselves in the foot going behind in games.
“Like I have said before, it makes it even more difficult. So it is a team thing and we need to stop it quickly.”
That inability to prevent cheap goals has been a factor in St Johnstone’s poor start to the season that has left them bottom of the Premiership table with Holt adding: “Of course, it is not a nice position to be in.
“We just need to cut the simple errors out of our game, be solid and keep a clean sheet to give ourselves a base to go and win a game of football.
“Going behind in games makes it very difficult to win games let alone pick up a point.”
And the former Scotland Under-21 midfielder is confident that once Saints do get that first victory on the board, the tide will turn.
He said: “You would like to think so.
“Getting that first win would give everyone at the club confidence.
“It would give the players and the staff a lift so we are obviously desperate to get that on the board.”
