ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has brushed off concerns surrounding his coaching future, despite his side sitting with just one win from nine games this season.
Club chairman Peter Summers publicly backed Richardson on radio on Saturday and said he expected the Saints, who currently sit 16th on the ladder, to be competing for a top-four spot.
"We set some very ambitious goals and we don’t back away from those at all, but I think where we’re at right now is a reflection of not meeting our capabilities more than setting expectations that are beyond those capabilities," Summers said on SEN.
Richardson clarified Summers' comments while speaking on Fox Footy.
"I think what's really important is we put it in context and that is the words 'consistency' and 'potential' are really strong in what Peter had to say," Richardson said.
"That is, if we can become a much more consistent footy team – and I've said as much on this show – we'll end up being a really good footy team. And that’s a challenge as a coaching and playing group to be that.
"We're clearly not at the moment and we're a pretty ordinary team based on our inability to be consistent."
Richardson said he wasn't concerned about questions being asked about his coaching future.
"I like the fact our chairman has high expectations of our footy club and of our playing group. We all acknowledge we're not performing anywhere near that level at the minute and everyone is working their backsides off to make sure we get there,” he said.
"All my energy is about fixing our game and becoming much more consistent. The weekend's game (a 28-point loss to Collingwood) is a good example.
"[We had] three really competitive quarters and a quarter when we weren't able to maximise our opportunities. If you look at our numbers and saw our game you'd agree with that. There's parts that are heading the right way, there's areas we still need to work on."
St Kilda will get a chance to record its second win for the season against reigning premier Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
