Simo Valakari stressed that St Johnstone’s survival bid is no “mission impossible” despite dropping eight points adrift at the bottom of the William Hill Premiership.
Saints conceded three goals in the opening 22 minutes in their 3-1 home loss to Dundee – a 15th league defeat of the campaign.
The Perth side have earned just two draws from eight games since beating Kilmarnock in Perth in November.
Valakari said: “When you don’t pick up points at this time of year the gap will become massive.
“Is it mission impossible? I don’t think so. It’s maybe the hardest and most difficult job for this club. It is a massive, massive job.
“We can talk about the January transfer window but these are the players we have now. We need to be better with what we have.
“The games after Kilmarnock to this one have summed up what we are as a team and what we have not been able to fix.
“The level goes too up and down and we are punished for that.
“It was a very bad afternoon but a very telling one about where we are.”
Simon Murray, Seb Palmer-Houlden and Lyall Cameron struck for Tony Docherty’s team, who moved to within two points of the top six.
Substitute Josh McPake replied midway through the second half for Saints.
“The result was catastrophic – it was a local derby,” admitted Valakari.
“It was a shock to be 3-0 down at the start. We tried to recover. Sometimes miracles happen but not today.
“It’s the first time I’ve been angry. I’m angry about myself. I’m angry for the fans. I know they want answers.
“I choose the team and the way we play, so I take full responsibility. The players did everything they were capable of.
“Is it sometimes good enough? No, as we saw. We’re doing too many silly things and we’re too soft sometimes to play against.”
Dundee boss Docherty was thrilled by the response to losing late to Dundee United on Thursday night.
“That’s nine players unavailable through injury, I’m full of admiration for my players,” he said.
“We were stinging after the derby but this group always bounces back and that’s a real strength, real resilience.
“We looked such a threat. It was something we worked on – to absorb a bit of pressure and then to hit on the counter.
“We scored two goals from set plays, second phase, which I think we’re having a lot of joy from now.
“And I thought the third goal just absolutely typified what we are. We win the ball and then we break so quickly.
“The front three carry such a threat and that third goal, for me, was outstanding. That really won the game for us.”
