Gus: We'll play our way out of danger

Sep 30 2008 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

GUS MacPherson last night backed his basement boys to play their way out of the SPL drop zone.

Saturday’s defeat to Motherwell has sent St Mirren crashing to the foot of the division and leaves them two points adrift of their nearest rivals.

The manager is convinced that his Saints have got what it takes to climb the SPL ladder.

But they need to keep playing in the right manner and be positive in their approach to every game.

He said: “If we keep playing the way we did during the first half of Saturday’s game against Motherwell and the same way we did during our first-half performance against Aberdeen recently, then we will win more games at this level of football.

“We’ve only played seven games and in four of them we have lost by a single goal. That tells you something about the fine line between winning and losing in this league.

“We’ve been pleased with the way we went about our business and if we keep playing in the right manner, create chances – which isn’t easy to do in this league – then I’m sure our strikers and midfielders can take those chances.”

MacPherson said his side’s current position in the division doesn’t overly concern him at this early stage of the season.

And he is confident his Buddies will soon start to move in the right direction.

He said: “The league is far tougher this season and I would say this is going to be an even tougher campaign than our first year in the SPL. There are no easy games.

“We’re only five points behind the teams in fourth place and we’re just two wins away from them.

“So if we can keep our players away from injury and field our strongest side on the park more often than not then, hopefully, we can do well.”

MacPherson was pleased with the reaction he got at Fir Park following his team’s Co-operative Insurance League Cup exit against Dunfermline seven days ago and reiterated that no-one at Love Street is panicking with the way things are going.

However, he did concede there are one or two things that his side needs to improve on.

He said: “Saturday’s result was frustrating because there was no shortage of chances created and we should have taken more of them, but I said after the game the most important thing was to get a reaction – and we got that.

“But I think we looked a little uncomfortable when we were defending crossed balls, especially in the second half, so there is stuff to work on in that aspect.

“There’s no shortage of confidence within the side as they are passing the ball around well and that’s something we’ll need in abundance when we play Rangers on Sunday.”