St Johnstone’s Chris Millar believes his manager, Steve Lomas, should be installed as favourite to pick up the Clydesdale Bank manager of the month award for September.
Saints struggled in the opening few weeks of the season, as the McDiarmid Park boss looked to fully integrate a host of summer signings.
However, St Johnstone now look to have gelled, with last Saturday’s win over Dundee being their fourth victory in a row.
Midfielder Millar insists Lomas is deserving of wider recognition for masterminding that success.
He said: ”It takes time for new boys coming in to settle down.
”Performances weren’t bad in August and we were creating chances but now we are putting them away and looking really strong.
”We have a good squad and there’s a lot of harmony among the boys.
”Hopefully we can keep this run going and kick on again.
”The first win, over Celtic, was massive for our confidence but, for me, the victory up at Ross County was even bigger.
”They were on a great run, we lost a man early and we weren’t expected to take anything in Dingwall.
”That’s four wins on the bounce after the draw with Dundee United and the gaffer has to be a candidate for manager of the month.”
The derby win over Dundee came at a cost with Saints striker Steven MacLean suffering a dislocated elbow when he fell heavily in a challenge with the Dark Blues’ Iain Davidson, an injury which could rule him out for several weeks.
Millar admitted he was gutted for his team-mate but believes the club now have a squad capable of coping with injuries.
He continued: ”I thought we were comfortable against Dundee. We played well and in the right areas.
”Against Dundee, the two lads up front, Tads (Gregory Tade) and Stevie, were different class.
”They never stopped running and caused them all sorts of problems. They really led from the front.
”We have suffered suspensions and injuries so it shows we have strength in depth in the squad the manager has put together.
”He admitted it was a hard decision picking his team for Dens.
”There are a lot of boys knocking on the door and pressing for a starting jersey.
”I was gutted for Stevie because I thought he was different class.
”He works so hard and held the ball up so well.
”When he dislocated his elbow, it was definitely a penalty. But these things happen in football and we’re hoping for a speedy recovery.
”It wasn’t nice but at least it isn’t a break.
”Gregory is big, physical and strong, a real handful. He got another goal in the derby and could have had another couple.
”Strikers thrive on goals and all his hard work is paying off now.”