ST JOHNSTONE had only scored four goals all season in the Scottish Premiership before they smashed FIVE past Hamilton last weekend. 

It was quite a turn in fortunes for Callum Davidson’s side, but the Perth boss was always confident that his team was capable of producing such a score line. 

Before the international break Saints were bottom of Scotland’s top flight after losing their previous four games and after a late defeat to Celtic, fans were beginning to get slightly restless. 

Upon the run of poor results Davidson turned to two of his managerial pals south of the border to seek some advice about moving forward. 

But instead of listening to their wise words, the McDiarmid Park gaffer ended up going down his own path. 

“I spoke to a couple of managers I know from down the road when the results weren’t coming,” he told Herald and Times Sport. 

“That didn’t really help because they gave me two different opinions. One said to stick with it and the other said to try something different. So I ignored them both! 

“I had belief in what I was doing and the players could feel it on the pitch. If they weren’t getting it I might have had to change things. 

“But when I watched games back I thought we had been the better team without getting goals. It was a work in progress. 

“I also knew it would take a few games for players like Craig Conway and Craig Bryson to get up to speed. Murray Davidson was the same after his injuries. 

“He is a leader and it’s good to have experienced players guiding the younger ones in games.” 

Saints also welcomed Guy Melamed into training this week, but Davidson is unsure whether he will feature against Dundee United on Saturday. 

He continued: “Guy is desperate to get going now but he needs to understand that Scottish football can be a bit hectic and he’s getting a taste of the tempo in training. 

“I’m not sure yet if he will be involved against United but then we have a week to build up his fitness. That gives us some time to work on him. 

“The poor lad sat in a room for 14 days so we don’t want to push him too hard too quickly. 

“When we signed Guy we started to score goals so maybe he has already put pressure on the strikers that are here. They have been looking to prove themselves and getting back to full fitness. 

“David Wotherspoon has also been excellent in the last two or three games in an attacking role. He can create chances and score as well. 

“It’s great that Guy knows he has a fight on his hands for a starting place.” 

Saints and Dundee United battled out a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership season, but after going down to 10-men early on Davidson hopes his side can take all three points this time round.  

He said: “Hopefully we can build on the recent wins. We didn’t know much about United or what their team was going to be in the first derby. 

“Obviously we know a lot more about them now. They have signed some big players so it will be tough. We know what we are up against but we will go in with our own game plan. 

“And we need to be switched on about their counter attacking threat.” 

He added: “The league table doesn’t lie. The top four are winning more games and it will be a fight for everyone else to try and get in that top six. 

“We are looking to be top of that other pile. That is what we have to aim for to enjoy a successful season. 

“I suspect it will be tight all the way. It is about having belief in ourselves and hopefully our ability will get us there.”