St Jonhstone boss Derek McInnes certain goals will come
Last updated on .From the section Football
St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes believes his players will start scoring despite a third goalless match that ended in a 1-0 loss to Dunfermline.
Liam Craig saw a penalty saved by Pars' keeper Paul Gallacher after Andy Kirk scored the only goal of the match.
"It's an easy thing to throw at us from last year," said McInnes.
"I can't understand why it's getting asked of us, but the only way to stop getting asked it is to take more of the chances that come to us."
Kirk fired the visitors in front from close range on 30 minutes in what was the Pars' only attack of note in the match, while John Potter was sent off for a trip on St Johnstone's Francisco Sandaza but Craig saw his penalty well saved.
The defeat keeps St Johnstone down at the lower end of the Scottish Premier League table on just one point, but McInnes was heartened by the overall performance of his players.
"I thought we were the better team," said McInnes. "I thought we were the dominant side in the early stages of the game and I think other than a ten minute spell after Dunfermline scored, our goalkeeper hasn't had a save to make.
"You can't hide the fact we're disappointed with the result.
"It was a game we were expected to win - as good as Dunfermline are, I thought we should have won the game - we certainly did enough to win the game and I'm disappointed we didn't get at least one point.
"More desire to get the ball over the line would have been helpful."
Despite the penalty miss, McInnes refused to blame Craig for the result and dismissed any notion that new signing Fransisco Sandaza should have been the player to take the spot-kick.
"The penalty incident was a massive opportinity," said McInnes. "It was a crucial moment."
"But Liam is the club penalty taker and I don't know what Sandaza is like taking penalties - we've not worked with him long enough.
"We could be asking the same question if Sandaza had taken it, but Liam takes the penalty and he wanted to take it.
"But I feel the strikers we've brought to the club are still working very hard to get up to speed and get fit.
"I was encouraged by Sandaza when he came on - I thought he was lively ansd I've no doubt he' ll be one of the players who will do very well for us."
