Jim Goodwin insists his Saints have got to stop being sinners after falling to their fourth consecutive defeat.
Richard Tait saw red for a needless challenge on Saturday, becoming the second St Mirren player to pick up a red card in just eight games after Joe Shaughnessy was sent for an early bath against Ross County.
Experienced full-back Tait will now sit out the Buddies next two games, against Kilmarnock at home and Aberdeen away, giving Goodwin a major headache as he tries to turn around the club’s fortunes.
“We have no arguments about the red card,” Goodwin told Express Sport.
“It was real frustration from Tait at the time.
“It was a bit of red mist that led to him making a really poor decision as the United player was going nowhere.
“It was a really unnecessary tackle.
“And moreover it’s really disappointing we now lose such a key player for two games.”
The Buddies enjoyed a much better start than their hosts at Tannadice, but once again were left ruing what might have been as Lawrence Shankland fired the Terrors in front.
Goodwin was left concerned about the manner of the opener, which had a familiar feel coming from another set piece that he fears is becoming his team’s Achilles heel.
He said: “Anyone watching the game would admit we were the better team in the first half and had the better opportunities to get our noses in front.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t capitalise on the good three or so chances we created.
“And then we concede from a corner that is becoming our Achilles heel. We’ve lost 12 goals and nine of them have been from corners or crosses into the box.
“As manager that’s something I’m going to have to look at and sort out. It was a great finish from Shankland but we switch off and don’t do our jobs.
“That’s really hurting us at the moment.”
The loss to Dundee United leaves St Mirren hovering just two points above bottom spot in the Premiership table despite a promising start.
Goodwin believes that the strength of the characters he has in the dressing room will ensure that nobody lets their spirits drop at this early stage of the season.
He added: “Nobody at the club will let their heads go down.
“We’ve lost a number of games back to back now.
“I can’t have too many arguments about Saturday as United deserved to win.
“It could have been a different story if we had taken some of those opportunities, but it just shows you the importance of the first goal in this league.
“But we’ll keep believing. There’s not a lot between eight teams in this league.”
