St Johnstone: Simple, Effective, Wright

“I keep it simple, we keep it simple. It’s effective.”

Some clubs and national teams have an ingrained motto. Wales lived up to their Team Play is the Best Play (Gorau Chwarae Cyd Chwarae) at the Summer’s European Championships with their performances, celebrations and camaraderie. Tottenham Hotspur’s evocative To Dare is to Do (Audere est Facere) speaks of glory. Glory even when there is little prospect but failure. Closer to home Kilmarnock simply state Confidemus – We Trust. While Queen’s Park continue to consecrate Ludere causa ludendi. To Play for the Sake of Playing. Football poetry.

‘I keep it simple, we keep it simple. It’s effective.’ These words weren’t uttered by any behemoths of the literary world and they will not win any awards for exoticness. I doubt that there is even a Latin translation to romanticise it. These were words uttered by Tommy Wright during an interview with BT Sport prior to St Johnstone’s clash with Celtic last month. And they are appropriate.

Under the steady stewardship of Wright the Perth Saints have reached the top six in every one of his three seasons in charge. Effective it certainly has been. You have to go back to season 2010/2011 to find the last time Saints had to slum it in the bottom six during the season’s finale – the year Rangers last won the league, Andy Gray was sacked from Sky Sports, Londoners rioted and the UK’s last circus elephant retired. Her name was Anne. Dumbo she was not.

It was also the year of Wright’s arrival in Scotland. The former Newcastle United and Manchester City goalkeeper left his post as manager of Lisburn Distillery to take up the assistant manager’s role at McDiarmid Park to work under Steve Lomas, where he was able to double up as goalkeeping coach. No team outwith Celtic has been able to match their consistency, efficiency and effectiveness since.

Yet, overwhelming praise has not been forthcoming. When praise has come the Perth side’s way it can sound reluctant or attached with the caveat that they are ‘stuffy’, ‘boring’, ‘dull’, ‘uninspiring’. I have been guilty of such dismissive remarks. Their continuous, consistent success has resulted in analysis which fails to expand on ‘St Johnstone are . . . * sigh * . . . St Johnstone.’ Accompanied with a shrug of the shoulders. What else is there to say? Well, plenty actually.

As the excellent second episode of BBC’s ‘Scotland’s Game’ demonstrated, many clubs have been mismanaged and stretched way beyond their means, leading to administration and in some cases liquidation. This financial and structural dereliction of duty created a void for more organised and well run clubs to excel and enjoy some of the most successful periods in their respective histories.

At one point, the aforementioned documentary would have forced any watching Saints fans to either strap on a knapsack and plummet behind the sofa or hunt down the nearest alpaca and beat it with a very big stick. It was footage of James Grady’s last minute goal at Ross County on the final day of the 2006/2007 season to take plucky the con of Gretna into the top division at the expense of St Johnstone.

I was actually at New Douglas Park on that very day as a St Johnstone side containing the likes of Steven Anderson, Goran Stanic, Derek McInnes and Jason Scotland defeated Hamilton Academical in a seven-goal topsy-turvy thriller. The game finished before Gretna’s and thousands of Saints fans were eagerly awaiting confirmation from Dingwall that Gretna had failed to win to let loose. The news that arrived prompted confusion, anger but ultimately despair as the blue and white hordes trudged away with the prospect of another season in purgatory.

Backed by the charlatan Brooks Mileson, Gretna, using the same logic as the kamikaze move on Worms, recklessly careered their way up through the leagues. Gretna’s moment in the sun was ephemeral, controversial and ultimately fruitless.

While Gretna spent their way into Scottish football conscious in an attempt to make themselves relevant before vanishing in triple quick time, St Johnstone offered severe but positive parallels of the other side of football. Having fallen out of the Premier League in 2002, the Perth Saints finished no higher than third in the second tier, reaching bedrock in 2005 with an eighth place finish.

The below-par league campaign prompted a new direction. Owen Coyle took over from John Connolly, beginning an upward trajectory which has seldom stuttered in the intervening years. Although St Johnstone have to take some blame for introducing Coyle’s bizarre fetish for shorts and pulled up socks to the world – like an over-enthusiastic PE teacher who wanted nothing more in life than to be an over-enthusiastic PE teacher.

Up came the socks, higher and higher, and up came St Johnstone. They jumped to second the following season, garnering 20 more points, yet St Mirren still won the league by 10 points. It was simply a base for a special season which followed. St Johnstone’s cup exploits, which are still evident today, began that season with a quarter-final victory at Ibrox in the League Cup. They made the semi-finals of both cups, losing to Hibernian and Celtic. They were becoming the nearly men under Coyle and that was confirmed when James Grady intervened with his stoppage time winner for Gretna, consigning Saints to a six successive season in what was becoming one of the hardest leagues to escape from.

Success, as it does, brings attention. And attention brings vultures. Namely Burnley who swooped for Coyle’s services a few weeks prior to Saints’ Challenge Cup win in 2007 against Dunfermline. Derek McInnes stepped up from a playing role to fill the vacancy. The third-place finish was a somewhat disappointment after the thrills and emotional rollercoaster of the previous season. Another semi-final defeat, this time to Rangers in the Scottish Cup final, fed into the despondency of fans who must have been feeling that they were simply never going to get over the line, any line. But it was seventh time lucky as the Perth Saints lost a measly five games on their way to finally claiming the league title and promotion to the top league in 2009.

Two consolidatory seasons in the top flight followed and brought further interest in McInnes and soon he too followed Owen Coyle down south, taking up the managerial role at Bristol City. This time Geoff Brown, in what would be his last appointment before handing over control to his son, looked outwith the Saints squad and appointed Steve Lomas.

With the benefit of hindsight Lomas was somewhat incongruous in Perth. Brash, divisive and controversial. However, his record over two seasons, before taking charge of Millwall, will stand up in the annals. Lomas built on the foundations installed by Coyle and improved by McInnes.

Going back to Coyle, Anderson has been a main stay through all the managerial positions, but the St Johnstone side of present was beginning to form towards the end of McInnes’s tenure and start of Lomas’s. Dave Mackay, Chris Millar, Murray Davidson and Liam Craig were all prominent. The Saintees finished in the top six for the first time since Y2K was seen as a threat. With Rangers demoted to the third tier and Heart of Midlothian’s emphatic triumph over Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final St Johnstone were back in Europe. Their tie with Turkish side Eskişehirspor was their first since that famous night for Saints fans when they drew 3-3 with a Monaco side which included Fabien Barthez, Rafael Marquez, David Trezeguet, Ludovic Giuly et al. They were defeated 3-1 on aggregate by the Turks but more was to come on the European stage.

With Alan Mannus already added, St Johnstone were soon joined by the likes of Tam Scobbie and Steven MacLean. As the chaotic trio of Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts embarrassed themselves with bottom six finishes, St Johnstone, with their parsimonious defence, took advantage to record their joint-best ever finish in the top flight with third place and a European spot.

Yet, Perth was once against seen as fertile hunting ground for managers. Lomas moved south and Wright moved into the hot seat. Something which did not sit well with the former. The duo have not communicated since his departure.

“We’d had words a few times but the final nail for him was that I didn’t want to join him at Millwall,” said Wright.

Wright was skeptical about the move south, displaying prescience as Lomas lasted a mere six months in his new role, much to the delight of the Millwall faithful. The 55-year-old Northern Irishman is neither one to suffer fools gladly or get tied down in petty feuds or squabbles. This is a man who has suffered unimaginable personal tragedy. Wright’s son Andrew, born eight weeks premature, passed away at the age of five in 1994. Wright understands what is and isn’t important. He is not high maintenance, he gets on with his job and has little concern or patience for the cosmetic side of the game.

“I’m not driven by a desire to prove people wrong. I don’t care what people say. I don’t do my job seeking to be known as the best St Johnstone manager ever. That’s for other people to decide. I just do my job to the best of my ability. I want to have success. I want to win. I detest losing.”

While his build suggests Papa Bear and his passionate demeanor on the sideline suggests Grizzly Bear on the the verge of tearing after helpless hikers, he is softly spoken in interviews. You get the sense of a man free of clutter, a clear mind, which soaks up knowledge before harnessing it to get what he wants and his team to where he wants.

Wright, an athletics star at school, is unique in the Scottish game and in the minority across the footballing world. He is former-goalkeeper turned manager. Writing in the inaugural edition of Nutmeg – The Scottish Football Periodical, Paul Forsyth queries the lack of goalkeepers-turned-managers. He interviews Tommy Wright and writes a particularly pertinent point:

‘In truth the unique perspective from which a goalkeeper watches the game gives him invaluable insight. He has time and space to think about the game as it unfolds before him. A good one is brave when he needs to be, decisive under pressure and willing to live or die by his own instincts. Add to that the communication skills to organise his defence, as well as the thick skin that is almost a prerequisite of management, and it is clear that the two jobs have much in common.’

These are qualities which Wright has expressed in abundance, giving further credence to St Johnstone’s decision to promote from within.

If Owen Coyle laid the foundations and McInnes and Lomas built the framework then exterior, Wright has slaved away to put the love into the house to make it a home, completed all the nitty gritty bits, decorated it and even added a conservatory because he could. The progress of St Johnstone has been gradual, it has been methodical, it has been done by a team but now it is the St Johnstone of Wright.

In his first season they dropped back down to sixth, yet scored more goals and conceded less. But the league was inconsequential in terms of what happened elsewhere. In his first competitive game in charge Wright led St Johnstone to arguably their greatest night in European football as they travelled to Trondheim to face 23-times winners of the Norwegian league and European regulars Rosenborg. Thanks to a Frazer Wright’s goal, the Perth Saints won their first ever away game in Europe. They completed one of Scottish football’s finest European moments in the last decade with a draw at home. Another away win against Dinamo Minsk would follow before disappointment as they were knocked out at McDiarmid Park on penalties.

Still, it was a mere precursor for the season’s end. Not to be outdone by his centre back partner, Anderson, who now holds the club’s all-time appearance record, netted the biggest goal in the club’s history. Having been underdogs against Aberdeen in the semi-final, the class of Stevie May catapulted them into their first ever Scottish Cup final, ending their run of seven successive defeats in semi-finals.

Stoppage time of the first half at Celtic Park May 17, 2014. Anderson slowly made his way into the box where he was met by Keith Watson. A feint to run towards the front post then a spin away to the box bamboozled his marker. Still, David Wotherspoon’s curling corner appeared to being met by Radoslaw Cierzniak. Yet, not for the first time the glove-man disintegrated allowing Anderson to nod the ball into the United net.

Wright had a hex over Jackie McNamara and Dundee United and it continued. MacLean assured that the Saints would be travelling back to Perth with their first ever piece of major silverware. As Lomas sat listless in front of his stagnant CV, Wright completed a special maiden season, becoming St Johnstone first Scottish Cup winning manager and a legend in one fell swoop.

While 2013/2014 was historic, 2014/2015 was the season when the stereotype of St Johnstone was formulated and embedded. FC Luzern of Switzerland were dispatched in Europe before defeat at the hands of Slovakia’s Spartak Trnava, but in the league the Saints scored only 34 goals on their way to a fourth-place finish. That is not a typo, St Johnstone had a rate of 0.89 goals per game in the league. Only relegated St Mirren scored less (four less to be precise).

They may not have been an exciting proposition in terms of entertainment, a dialogue heavy indie-movie compared to a high-paced action blockbuster. But they were organised enough to finish above both rival Dundee clubs who conceded 113 between them. Wright, unfussy and pragmatic, will have lost little sleep over the ignorant rants and remarks of opposition supporters. St Johnstone were heading into Europe for the fourth successive season.

However, the long seasons and short breaks were catching up with a largely unchanged, both in terms of personnel and system, side. Saintees fell at the first hurdle in Europe but would be one of the surprises of the first half of the season as they kept a league clean sheet only twice between August and January. A prevalent problem of a lack of depth saw injuries hamper the consistency of team selection with new partnerships across the pitch. But they did have the raw power of Michael O’Halloran before his move to Rangers. His pace, direct style and barrel chested runs enthralled. Despite the loss of his qualities and a run of seven without a win Saints still made the top six where they finished with four wins and a draw to record another top four finish.

The second straight fourth-place finish led to Wright being handed Ladbrokes’ Manager of the Year award. Yet, links to a move elsewhere, particularly down south failed to materialise. During the season he was heavily linked to the Dundee United job but his bosses rejected any advances of the Tannadice side to talk to him. Many managers will have had their nose put out of joint at such a rejection but Wright carried on with the job at hand with minimum of fuss. However, you get the feeling if he really wanted the job he would have got it and he certainly would have given United a much surer chance of remaining in the division.

One thing Wright isn’t is quixotic. He isn’t an ideologue. He doesn’t seek exposure, he doesn’t court plaudits or adoration. Compared to a manager like Alan Stubbs who appeared to seek approval, enjoying the sound of his own voice, whether he was appearing on BT, Sportsound or Sportscene. Despite achieving considerably less than Wright in his management career so far, he was the one which moved to a Championship club.

“I hear managers preaching about philosophies and how they play the game. I have a simple philosophy, I just want to win every game. My plan is basically a game at a time. That’s what we do at St Johnstone, we don’t get carried away. The size of the club doesn’t allow that.”

Many a team, whether they are on the world stage, in a backwater league or in the lower reaches of their respective footballing pyramid, wants to be recognised when they are doing well. But in terms of St Johnstone there is the pervading sense that they enjoy their under the radar status. Chris Millar confirmed that earlier this season by saying “we hope they don’t notice”. Although, one aspect that does grate for the club and Wright in particular is the club’s perceived style of play.

I am driven everyday to do the best job I can. Maybe I don’t put enough emphasis on the brand that we play. People have this impression of us that we are stuffy but last year we scored well over 50 goals in the league. We were adventurous last year, we’ve changed how we play. Look at the players, Swanson, Alston and Wotherspoon that we’ve signed. They’re all footballers.

While it should be harder and harder for the club to achieve the solitude they find so desirable, they may get their wish once again this season with Rangers back in the division. But a glance at the league, even if it is in its infancy, sees Saints well-placed in fifth, while they are one game from another national semi-final. It’s all the more noteworthy considering the club have budgeted for eight, a slight increase from their usual eutaxy of budgeting for 10th and doing their utmost to avoid getting dragged into the relegation play-off position.

One of the reasons for such a prudent approach is the club’s attendances. Last season saw St Johnstone attract an average of 3,880. Since their return to the top-flight their average attendance has fluctuated from a high of 4,717 in their first season back to a low of 3,712 in season 2012-2013. This season will likely see another jump for the simple reason that Rangers are in the division again but St Johnstone, like a few others in the division, have a core fanbase which has fallen stagnant. There was the boost in 2014-2015 following the Scottish Cup win to 4,592 and with no Hearts, Hibs or Rangers in the division.

Success has an effect but it wasn’t such a an increase that dramatically altered the dynamic of the club and Wright’s budget. Holding onto returning fans and enticing new fans is a problem that is league-wide. There is a younger element making themselves known at the ground, the ‘Fair City Unity’, which is a positive but they are not helped in the size of the stadium with empty seats on camera making the situation stand out more, while Perth itself is not a big city by any means. But one thing Wright is correct about is that his team are not getting the attendances the results and performances deserve.

However, Steve Brown must wake up every day knowing his job is that much easier due to the man at the helm of the club. Wright understands his place and role and doesn’t give Brown too many headaches with constant pronouncements of wanting more finance, although he does mention it from time to time.

Staggering stat from @briandoyle77 that Tommy Wright has win ratio of 45% as Saints boss. From three full seasons plus this in top flight.

— St Johnstone 1884 (@stjohnstone1884) September 11, 2016

Looking around at his peers in the Labrokes Premiership, there is no other manager currently extracting more from less, while he maintains an impressive 45 per cent win ratio. You look at Wright’s recruitment strategy and the first word which comes to mind is ‘unimaginative’. Take the recent transfer window as an example, Paul Paton, Keith Watson, Blair Alston, Richard Foster; it doesn’t offer the Saints fans much in the way of frisson of the unknown. If I was a Saints fan I wold be underwhelmed. Where is the imagination, the fantasy?

New signings, the excitement of potential, of the unknown, masks a key commodity in football: trust. Wright has more than earned that trust. Away from his success in terms of European results, league placings and a Scottish Cup, he improves players. Players go to St Johnstone and improve, they feel important. Wright has created an environment which breeds progression and an unflappable team spirit.

New signing Foster said as much on his unveiling following his move from Ross County, “St Johnstone is a club that every club outside the top four look at as what they want to be.

“[Saints manager Tommy Wright] seems to have a way of getting the best out of the players. The atmosphere seems really good and his relationship with the players.”

Wright’s record speaks for itself. Danny Swanson and Liam Craig had forgettable spells at Hearts and Hibs respectively. Yet both came back to McDiarmid Park and immediately looked like different players, enjoying their football. David Wotherspoon was reinvigorated after going stale at Easter Road. Then there is Joe Shaughnessy. Ridiculed among home fans at Pittodrie, his ability scoffed among neutrals. Not Wright, who has made him into a fine Premiership defender.

One of the great intangibles in football is team spirit with its chicken or egg element. Does team spirit foster winning teams or vice versa? At times, from the outside looking in, it is a quality which can get over played. But then you listen to players talk about being part of a good dressing room and the best they’ve been apart of. A good dressing room and team spirit has an influence and you can see that with St Johnstone. From Chris Millar’s European videos (Gary Miller seems like a simple fella‘) to their on field exploits. Last season St Johnstone won 25 points from losing positions which works out at 44.64 per cent of their total points tally. Such a stat emphasises the mentality instilled by Wright, a quality which has made them such a tough opponent for the last few season.

PP: “There is a real togetherness (at Saints). You feel it when playing. The boys are going to run hard, tackle and fight for each other.”

— St Johnstone 1884 (@stjohnstone1884) September 12, 2016

Already this season Saints have come from behind to win at Motherwell, knock Hearts out of the Betfred League Cup and give Celtic an almighty scare at McDiarmid Park. Even with their budget for an eight-place finish no right-minded Scottish football fan or pundit would have St Johnstone in the bottom six. Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts and Rangers were seen as dead certs for the top four places. But sitting alone between the top four clubs and the clamour to avoid the bottom six are St Johnstone who are rightfully seen as favourites for a fifth-place finish.

It is the first time in five years where St Johnstone have had a full pre-season to prepare with no European distractions. They have a reliable spine and possess perhaps more depth than they have ever done in the top flight. It would be no surprise to see Wright and his Saints fly under the radar and snatch yet another top-four finish.

Simple, effective, St Johnstone.

Written by Joel Sked

Sources

http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/nine-scottish-football-stats-and-what-they-tell-us-about-the-new-season-1-4191521

BBC Sportsound Podcast

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3356745/St-Johnstone-boss-Tommy-Wright-not-day-don-t-think-son.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37133350

https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/