McLeish on crunch Kilmarnock clash, scoring woes & Fraser
St Mirren interim manager Craig McLeish has been talking to the media before Saturday's crucial Premiership match against Kilmarnock . Here are the key points from his news conference: He says there is simply no getting away from the enormity of the game - a win would lift the Buddies out of the play-off spot and above Kilmarnock. "There's no downplaying it, there's no getting away from it, there's no second chances after this.
Throughout the season in knockout competitions we've stepped up and we're trying to build it like that. " St Mirren will only be trying to win: "You don't want to get to a situation where you're relying on other people and other results. The mentality is to win the game, like it has been for all of our games.
The mentality will never be trying to make sure we just nick a point. " McLeish believes performances have improved since he took interim charge, but says that doesn't matter if points don't follow. "The performances are really positive and that's great if we're talking pre-season here, but we're in an absolute dogfight - the only thing that matters right now is coming away with wins and putting points on the board.
" Despite St Mirren's precarious position, McLeish insists confidence is high in the squad. "We've had a really good week on the training pitch, the place has been really lively and there's still so much confidence within the group. They know we need our big players to step up in key moments.
" McLeish also addressed the Buddies' struggles in front of goal, having only scored 27 in 35 league matches. "I would be more worried if we weren't getting into good areas and creating chances. The work on the training pitch is focused on the final third as well, there's been a lot of finishing.