Dundee United v St Mirren: St Mirren working hard to address lack of goal threat

St Mirren assistant manager Brian Kerr says the team are working hard to add to their threat in front of goal – but there are concerns over two forwards ahead of their trip to Tannadice.

The Paisley side travel to face Dundee United sitting in seventh place in the table, and looking forward to a big week that will also see them face Hearts at home before taking on Motherwell in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden.

While content with a solid start to the season, the Buddies have only scored five times in eight league games so far, the joint-lowest in the division.

Kerr admits that’s been a focus for the coaching staff but says training has targeted creating more opportunities.

“It’s something we have picked up on over the last few days,” he said. “We’ve worked hard in training on how we’re going to change that and ways of changing that.

“We need to make sure we get enough balls in the box, and make sure we get enough bodies in the box.

“That’s something we’re clearly working on.

“It’s something we’re not overly happy with as a squad and as a staff and it needs to be better. We’ll make sure it’s better in the next few weeks.

“It’s something we were successful with last season but we’re always a difficult team to beat. Having that [solidity] isn’t just us, we need to do it at the top end of the pitch.”

Ahead of Saturday’s game against United, Kerr revealed that forwards Mika Mandron and Jonah Ayunga are both doubts with knee issues, potentially depriving manager Stephen Robinson of firepower.

Attacking players were added to the squad in the summer, though Jamaro Calvin, Malik Dijksteel and Dan Ndulu haven’t established themselves in the first team.

Former Southampton and Bolton forward Ndulu has been gradually introduced, and made his first start in the 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen, and Kerr says there is a lot more to come from him in particular.

“We’re still getting players to understand the way we do things, and gel with certain individuals,” he said.

“Dan’s obviously come in over the past few weeks as well and he’s going to be a big part of things going forward. It’s just about understanding exactly how we do things. Small things we need to tweak along the way but I’m sure we will get there.

“Dan’s just getting up to the right stage of fitness even though he’s behind a little with lack of games. The more he plays, the more people will see what he has to offer. We know we have some player there, who previously has been signed for a lot of money. He’s been at Bolton, who are a top side down south.

“We know we’ve got a player with real assets and just want to get the best out of him. Being on the pitch over the next few weeks, I’m sure we’ll get that.”