CALLUM DAVIDSON has conceded that his St Johnstone side are now facing three must-win games to ensure they do not fall out of the Premier Sports Cup early.
Saints drew 0-0 with Annan at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday before the League Two outfit took the bonus point via the penalty shootout.
Discipline was a problem for the Perth outfit with both Dan Cleary and Cammy MacPherson sent off during the 90 minutes at McDiarmid Park and at full-time Davidson vented his frustrations.
Queen of the South are up next for St Johnstone and Davidson admits there is no room for slipups in Dumfries.
He explained: “That’s how the competition is. It’s why it’s important you have to win your home games, and give yourself a chance.
“I believe we’ve got the players in there to win the next three games. We just need to make sure we keep all 11 players on the pitch to be able to do so.
“I think they are disappointed. Listen, sometimes it’s one player. I actually thought the rest of the boys played some good stuff against Annan.
“We got in behind, tried to create chances. I definitely think if we start on Saturday like we did out there, we can make something of it.
“I thought we came out with good energy after a fresh day, that was pleasing, played quite well.
“I still think we could do more when we get to the final third. I am expecting us to start with the same sort of tempo on Saturday.
“Queen of the South is going to be a tough game. They will think there’s a chance to get a result against us, we’re one of the teams that they are after.
“We need to make sure we are professional, do things right and go out and get three points.”
New signings Jamie Murphy and Graham Carey were introduced from the bench on Tuesday against Annan and they added a spark to the Saints frontline.
Davidson was impressed with their impact and hopes they will continue to progress on the fitness front.
He added: “They’re not up to speed yet as they’ve obviously missed a large chunk of pre-season.
“Again, it’s good to get them minutes. I thought they were good and I felt that Max Kucheriavyi and Ali Crawford did well in there too.
“There’s competition, we’ve got a few wee niggling injuries so we need to make sure we’re fighting fit for Saturday.
“The squad isn’t the biggest with the injuries we have. So we are going to be tested on the AstroTurf pitch on Saturday.
“I have said to them: You’re going to have to win all three games now to give yourselves a chance.”
