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Jim Goodwin admits he faces additional financial pressure to St. To accompany Mirren on a lucrative cup run this season.
The coronavirus pandemic has hit every Scottish club hard since the game returned after the lockdown with no supporters coming through the turnstiles.
And the boss of St. Mirren knows how important a run to the Betfred Cup final would be for his club if he battles Aberdeen for a place in the quarterfinals tonight.
When asked if cup money is more important this season, he said, “It sure is. I am aware of how important trophy races can be financially for clubs and never more than now because of the situation we are in.
« It would be great to make a little more money when you get to the next round. Every penny counts.
« There’s that extra pressure. We also have the January window just around the corner so it would be nice to qualify for the quarterfinals and have the game to look forward to and the money in the bank with an important window popping up again. ”
After some difficult months for the Saints on and off the field, Goodwin’s side results have finally started to turn a corner.
The manager has been unbeaten in six games, including two goals conceded and four points from the last two Premiership games, the Buddies turnaround, as the club was finally able to gain the much-needed momentum after a start-stop phase of its campaign.
He said, « The particular run we’re on and unbeaten in six is great. I know some people will say that some of these games were against lower league opponents.
« But those in the know who are familiar with soccer know that it wasn’t an easy game against lower league teams. « . They were all full-time teams and in pretty much every game we got extremely close together.
« The players showed real character in some of these Betfred Cup games and we got a little bit of momentum. « .
« We look organized again, we look hard to beat. We conceded two goals in a row in the league, which is great. A goal against Queen’s Park too.
« So we’re doing something right, especially with our defense structure. We look fine outside of possession, but there is no escape to improve once we are in the attacking third. This is something we keep trying to develop and improve.
« I have great confidence in the squad. We have some great technical players and sometimes we don’t make the right decisions at key moments. That costs us goals.
One player the buddies will try to rip the net more frequently is Jon Obika, who has now fully recovered from an energy-efficient battle against Covid-19.
He’s previously enjoyed his fights with the Dons, and Goodwin was hoping that he can again pose a physical threat to Derek McInnes’ defense.
Goodwin added: “Jon has always done well against Aberdeen and he seems to be enjoying the opportunity to play against big clubs.
« He was excellent against Livingston and led the line well against a really good, physically aggressive backline.
« He’ll have to do the same on Saturday. Aberdeen has extremely physical and aggressive mid-halves and Jon needs to be ready for the fight.
« I’m sure it will be. I’m not giving away because he was excellent on Saturday and I don’t mind telling you he will be leading the line again. ”
Aberdeen Football Club, St. Mirren F.. . C.. . , Derek McInnes, Rangers F.. . C.. . , Scott Wright, Scottish Premiership
World news – GB – The pressure to lead the club to a lucrative cup run is great, says Saints boss Goodwin
Ref: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk
