St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas maintains the fine line between winning and losing in the SPL has made this season one of the most competitive for a while.
After taking nothing from a home game against Hibs that they dominated, Saints will travel to Paisley tomorrow hoping to bounce back against a St Mirren side who will feel similarly aggrieved their current points tally is not a true reflection of how they have played this term.
Lomas reckons there have been some similarities between his team and tomorrow’s opponents in that respect so far this season.
And he believes there really is not much to choose between any of the sides competing in Scotland’s top flight.
”If you ask Danny Lennon, he’ll probably say it’s been small margins between them having more points,” he commented.
”You only have to look at our two games against Hibs to see that small margins and not taking your chances costs you points.
”But I think that’s part of the appeal of the SPL at the minute everybody can beat everybody and people are taking points each off other.
”It ultimately boils down to: can you keep them out and take your chances when they come along? And maybe St Mirren haven’t been doing that at the two business ends of the pitch.
”But they certainly have some good players and they gave us a hard time for periods at home, so we’re under no illusions.
”It’s going to be a tough game.”
He added: ”St Mirren are probably like us because after the first five games, we felt we should have been sitting on at least eight points and not the two that we had. Sometimes you don’t get what you deserve.”
With a Scottish Cup tie against Cowdenbeath scheduled for Monday evening, Lomas’ squad who were forced to train at Alloa’s all-weather pitch yesterday face the prospect of having to negotiate two difficult road trips in just three days.
”It will be a challenge, with two away games, and you saw what Arbroath did at Celtic Park, so there’s no warning needed that Cowdenbeath will fancy their chances of causing an upset,” he continued.
”You might have the scenario that we play Saturday and they don’t.
It’s a tough few days but we’ve just got to get on with it. But it could be a good couple of days if we win.”
Saints have been boosted by confirmation central defender Frazer Wright will be able to play tomorrow, even though it had been feared he would be banned for the trip to Paisley, after picking up a sixth booking of the season.
He will be available tomorrow but is set to miss the Hearts game next week.
Fellow defender David McCracken has done some non-contact training as he recovers from surgery on a triple fracture of his cheekbone and could return soon, albeit wearing a protective mask.
”Obviously, we will have to be guided by the surgeon but for his peace of mind and for a bit of protection, I think it would be wise (to wear a mask),” Lomas added.
Meanwhile, Lomas had been linked with the manager’s job at League Two side Fleetwood Town, but Graham Alexander has since been appointed to the post.
”At the end of the day, I made a commitment to Perth and St Johnstone when I moved away from my kids down in London for two-and-a-half years and I aim to see that out,” he pointed out. ”I’m fully focused on the job here and I’m desperate to do well here.”