McLeish on crunch Kilmarnock clash, scoring woes & Fraser

[ASFN Admin]

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. That part of the pitch is about confidence more than anything, we're trying to replicate as many situations as we can, just trying to give them freedom and confidence, but that freedom and confidence hasn't really been there all season."
• Team news: Goalkeeper Shamal George and striker Dan Nlundulu are still unavailable, but "real leader" Marcus Fraser has declared himself fit. Still, McLeish is wary of rushing the defender back before he is ready. Liam Donnelly is hoping to train on Friday and could play a part, Declan John is booked in for a hernia operation next week, while Alex Gogic is suspended.

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