Tommy Wright insists he is not getting carried away with St Johnstone’s record-equalling winning run – because his current crop have yet to hit the heights of his previous teams.
The Perth outfit matched the club’s previous best streak of five victories when they demolished Hamilton a fortnight ago and can set a new benchmark by toppling Kilmarnock at home on Saturday.
Wright has introduced a new swashbuckling style of play this term and it is paying dividends so far.
But the Northern Irishman says it is too early to compare this vintage to his Scottish Cup winning side or the squads who finished in the top six for five years running.
“They haven’t done anything yet,” he said. “You could argue that on paper it’s the most attractive side I’ve had here but they haven’t won a Scottish Cup, they haven’t finished in the top six, they haven’t qualified for Europe.
“They haven’t reached two cup semis, so they’ve done nothing yet.
“I don’t think you can define a side until the end of the season. You can’t win your first 20 games then lose your last 20 and then think you’re a good side.
“It’s how you finish that matters and that’s why we’re not getting carried away.
“It’s good that we’re on this run and the fans are buzzing. But the players and staff have to stay focused because we know it can quickly change.”
And Wright admits he will not use the prize of setting a new club record to fire up his side before welcoming Steve Clarke’s Killie to McDiarmid.
He said: “Records haven’t even been mentioned. Records are for when you finish, then you can look back with satisfaction.
“Right now, the only record we want this weekend is to get to 26 points, which would be a great start after 14 games.
“The first 13 games we’ve had so far have given us a great start – it’s the next set that will determine how we do this season.”
St Johnstone’s run has seen them swipe Motherwell, St Mirren, Livingston, Hibernian and Hamilton aside.
But Wright has been left upset by comments from critics who say his team will have it tougher over the next two weeks as they square up to Killie, Hearts and Aberdeen.
He said: “There were some comments about the run we’ve been on that I found totally disrespectful – both to us and the teams we’ve played.
“We’ve only beaten teams in the bottom of the league, it’s been said. Well one of the teams we’ve beaten was St Mirren – Celtic only drew with St Mirren.
“We beat Livingston – Celtic only drew with Livingston. Motherwell have had good results and picked up.
“It was said we didn’t beat anyone in the top six. Well Livi were in the top six. Nobody has beaten Hibs at home before us.
“Now people are saying the next run of games will be a test because it’s Kilmarnock and Hearts. It’s utter nonsense at times that people get paid to spout.
“Kilmarnock is not a bench-mark for how we’re going to fare this season, it’s three points because we believe we can beat any team in the league. It’s not a test or a step up.”
