ST MIRREN manager Jack Ross insists his side can still beat the drop but admitted the Saints players have to look at themselves after a dismal 3-0 defeat to Queen of the South on Saturday.

The Doonhamers hadn’t won in the league for 13 games prior to their arrival in Paisley but profited from a poor St Mirren display which leaves the Buddies seven points adrift at the bottom of the Championship and nine from safety.

Ross admitted the manner of the defeat was of great concern but said there is still enough games left for Saints to drag themselves clear of danger.

He said: “I feel there is still enough of the season left to be able to turn it around. The performance is more worrying for me than looking at the games. The manner of the defeat is what will keep me awake, that’s the downside of the job.

“Individually of course they (the players) have to look at themselves, my door is always open to players if they want to come and speak to me. The one thing I know is how hard I work at the job and how dedicated I am to it, they have to ask themselves if they are doing the same.”

Ross stopped short of threatening further changes to the squad than had already been planned, but admitted that with the transfer window open, performances of that manner may force a greater shake up.

He added: “I’ve never threatened changes to players because it is easy to do. But I have told them that, albeit we were looking at changes to the squad anyway, we might have to look at if we have to do more.”