Simo Valakari admitted St Johnstone will probably need to be perfect for the remainder of the season to avoid relegation.
Saints lost 3-2 to Motherwell in the first match since the league split and, with four games to play, remain six points adrift of second-bottom Ross County.
Boss Valakari said: “We were in a difficult situation before the match and now we’re in an even more difficult situation.
“We need some other results to go our way. But the key thing is, still, that we need to win our own matches.
“If we can’t do that, it’s goodbye. I would say that we need to win all four almost – and the next two are at home.
“There’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves. The heads were not down after the game. The players were very upbeat. We don’t have any other choice. The fight is still on.”
An attack-minded Perth side took the lead through Makenzie Kirk after six minutes.
However, in a brief period typical of their season, they conceded two goals within a minute towards the end of the first half through Callum Slattery and a Sven Sprangler own goal.
Tom Sparrow’s strike three minutes into the second half gave Motherwell breathing space.
Saints rallied through Elliot Watt scoring on his first appearance in two months but, despite using strikers Uche Ikpeazu and Benji Kimpioka off the bench, the equaliser remained elusive.
Valakari confessed that the capitulation late in the first period was ruinous to hopes of starting the post-split stage with victory.
“It’s the story of our season,” he said: “It’s difficult to win when you concede three goals, especially in a short period like that. You can’t have these black five minutes that we have.”
Fringe players Taylor Steven, Josh McPake and substitute Watt were the Perth side’s best contributors.
“I thought our left side of Taylor and Josh were very good,” he said.
“They have been training well. I’m so pleased they played a good game.
“Elliot Watt hadn’t been playing much but he has been training well too and waiting for his moment.”
Motherwell moved up to seventh place above Hearts and seven points above the relegation play-off spot.
Wimmer said: “I’m happy and proud that we won. It was a very tough and very tight game.
“I was satisfied with the last 25 minutes of the first half then we started again very well for 3-1. But we have a lot more work and developing to do.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
