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Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 7
Sep 28, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
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St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin: "Defensively we've been great"

:Headline: St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin: 'Defensively we've been great': ID:373302: from db_amp
The Saints have conceded only six goals this season but are also the lowest scorers in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin lauded his side's resolve after recording their third clean sheet in four home league games in the goalless draw against Hearts.

Only Borna Barisic's stunning free-kick for Rangers has breached the Buddies' rearguard in those fixtures and they boast the best defensive record in the league outside the Old Firm.

However, the Saints are also the lowest scorers in the league with a measly three goals in seven games, and boss Goodwin knows his side need to find the right balance.

"The hardest part of the game is to cut teams open and put the ball in the net, but that's the difficulty that lots of clubs have," he said.

"There is no denying the fact that we have the least amount of goals scored.

"It's trying to get the balance between being organised and defensively hard to beat, but trying to get the bodies forward in the final areas.

"Defensively we've been great. It's not just the back four because we defend as a unit. The guys up top are asked to do a lot of defending for the team, so on the flip side I can't just point the finger at the strikers for not scoring goals.

"The guys at the back are just as responsible for scoring goals, but the strikers will get asked how many goals they've scored because that's what their judged on."

A draw was ultimately a fair result in a game where chances were at a premium.

The hosts thought they had opened the scoring after 23 minutes when Tony Andreu swept the ball past Joel Pereira, but it was correctly ruled out for offside by linesman Douglas Ross after deliberation with referee Andrew Dallas.

Hearts' afternoon was overshadowed by a serious injury to stand-in captain Craig Halkett. The 24-year-old suffered a medial ligament injury after an innocuous challenge and is expected to be sidelined for months.

The pressure on Hearts manager Craig Levein has alleviated after a promising week, but he stressed it had taken its toll on his players.

"It's been a physically and mentally tough week, but I was happy that we got better as the game progressed," said Levein.

"I feel frustrated for the players because we put a lot into all three performances and I think in the last third today the tiredness showed at times with our decision making.

"I can't fault them in all honesty because it's difficult to break St Mirren down."

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718
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