Ross County manager Jim McIntyre knows his side must improve at both ends of the pitch after succumbing to St Johnstone on Saturday, the fifth defeat in six league matches.
The Staggies were beaten 3-2 by St Johnstone on Saturday leaving the club bottom of the form table with only three points from the last available 18.
The Staggies have scored 25 league goals this season with Liam Boyce scoring nine in the Premiership and Craig Curran five. Only Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts and St Johnstone have scored more but the Staggies have conceded the same number in 17 league games.
County have faced the Premiership’s leading four during their recent losing run, but a more welcoming run of fixtures starts this Saturday at New Douglas Park when County take on Hamilton Accies.
The Accies are only one point better off than the Staggies, who face bottom six teams in their next four fixtures after Saturday’s encounter.
McIntyre said: “We are looking for consistency. We have a lot of periods in matches where we do a lot of things well and we create chances, but we have to make sure we are consistent in front of goal when we get these chances by putting them away.
“That alleviates the pressure if and when we concede a goal.
“We are going through a spell where the players are performing in periods in the game, but when the opposition has their time we seem to be losing goals.
“That is not a good thing to have and we need to eradicate that.”
It looked as though County would take at least a share of the spoils from Saturday’s match against the Perth Saints after rallying from 2-0 down to level thanks to a Liam Boyce opener and a Murray Davidson own goal.
But a late Dave Mackay free kick gave St Johnstone a seventh successive away win – their best run in the club’s 131-year history.
For County manager McIntyre, St Johnstone remain the perfect example of what can be achieved on a limited budget.
McIntyre added: “St Johnstone carried a bit of luck, but when sides are on a good run these things happen for them.
“They are a model of consistency and they deserve to be where they are.
“They have proven it year after year and that is what we are trying to become.”