Marcus Fraser demands instant Premier Sports Cup response for St Mirren
Marcus Fraser knows St Mirren are in must-win territory at Forfar Athletic tonight.
The Buddies are looking to bounce back immediately in the Premier Sports Cup when they face League Two Loons after being held to a goalless draw on Saturday at Arbroath, who claimed the bonus point thanks to a 5-3 victory on penalties.
It was a performance that stumped manager Stephen Robinson who insisted it was a team he 'didn't recognise'.
Experienced defender Fraser has echoed his gaffer's comments – admitting he and the older players in the dressing room should be doing more on the park.
'We were frustrated with the outcome on Saturday,' the 31-year-old said. 'Arbroath frustrated us and tried to hit us on the break. But we could have been much better middle to front to break them down.
'The manager said he was expecting more from the older boys to lead that and find a way through. That's on us as players. Through pre-season, we've worked on how to break teams down that sit deeper and it's not worked.
'We've got another three games and we've got to have a positive mind set. We know it's not over and we go into Tuesday knowing we need to win.'
Saturday's result means Saints will be gunning for a hat-trick of victories over Forfar, Annan Athletic and Ayr United to progress to the last 16.
Fraser knows it is a quickfire group stage – and that is why the Loons can't be taken lightly when they pitch up at Station Park this evening.
'We need to look at ourselves,' he said. 'We need to move the ball sharper and quicker and everyone understands that. After the manager finished his talk, we discussed it ourselves and that's the great thing about this group.
'It recognises when things aren't right and everyone stands up to that. We know we need to put things right.
'This group stage of this cup competition is so short that you need to put the points on the board early. We need to play much better. It might be a similar game, with Forfar sitting in.
'It isn't going to be easy and our older boys need to demand more – myself included.'
Youngster Fraser Taylor came off the bench against the Smokies, for whom he starred on loan last season, and won the League One player of the year award after helping them to the title and a return to the Championship.
However, it was a return he will want to forget after his spot-kick in the shoot-out was saved with Calum Gallagher clinching it for Arbroath.
Fraser insists the squad knows how talented Taylor is and that he will recover from his penalty setback.
He said: 'Fraz was player of the year at Arbroath last season and got numerous goals and assists. He's got a bright future ahead of him and nine times out of 10, Fraz sticks that penalty away.
'The next pen, I know he'll step up and put it away. He'll be fine. He can be a big player for us this season. He's got everything in his locker.'
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