Gus: Cut out basic errors

Nov 11 2008 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

BUDDIES boss Gus MacPherson has challenged his players to cut out their individual errors in the penalty box.

MacPherson feels too many of Saints’ results in the SPL this season have hinged on mistakes in key moments of games.

And MacPherson is urging his team to keep their defensive door firmly bolted when they travel up to the Granite City to play Aberdeen at Pittodrie this evening.

He said: “When you look at our defensive record this year the goals we’ve lost have been down to poor individual mistakes and it’s all about eradicating those mistakes.

“At this level of football, games are won and lost in the penalty box and that’s where we need to turn things around.”

MacPherson locks horns once again with Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood tonight, his old gaffer at Dunfermline.

But it’s Calderwood whose got the edge going into this evening’s game after the Dons posted a slender 1-0 win over St Mirren at Love Street back in August.

MacPherson said: “That was similar to our game with Hearts at the weekend.

“We lost a sucker-punch goal after playing well and creating chances but I say the same old stuff, there are no easy games at this level.”

MacPherson, though, is hoping that the Buddies can use the disappointment of losing Saturday’s game to Hearts 1-0 and bounce back at the earliest opportunity.

He said: “We have to use Saturday’s disappointment and go back out and try to perform.

“Games are coming thick and fast and the good thing is, that after losing a game, there is always another one coming up where you can try to get a positive result.”

Definitely ruled out of tonight’s game, which kicks-off at 7.45pm, are midfielders Tonet and Stephen O’Donnell, defender David Barron and striker Tom Brighton.

On loan Celtic star Scott Cuthbert is back in training after missing the Hearts game with flu symptoms and could be recalled.