UNDER pressure St Kilda coach Alan Richardson took plenty of positives from his side's loss to Richmond at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as scrutiny on his future at the club continues to intensify.

The Saints took it right up to their more fancied opponent early in the round 15 contest but gave up 10 goals to three after half-time to eventually fall to a 33-point defeat.

But Richardson was buoyed by the performance from his side and especially with the efforts from a group of his younger players.

Highly-rated duo Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield combined for 39 disposals and 17 marks in just their seventh match together at the highest level, while Richardson also singled out Callum Wilkie, Nick Hind and Ben Long for praise after the loss.

"I was really pleased that our fans can see what we see in Hunter Clark," Richardson said.

"He's had 11 intercept possessions, four more than any other player on the ground including the Richmond squad.

"Coffield showed he has got speed and he has got power … which is pleasing.

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"Wilkie (was) one-on-one with Dusty (Martin) in the goal square and did a good job a couple of times, Hind showed a bit and (it was) probably Longy's best game for the club for a while.

"Hopefully that's a window into what we are going to see as we are pretty positive with those guys."

It was the Saints' second loss in succession and eighth for the season and leaves them with a mountain to climb if they are to qualify for the finals for the first time since 2011.

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The loss also keeps the pressure on Richardson, as the inexperienced coach attempts to hang on to his job for 2020 and beyond.

St Kilda general manager of football Simon Lethlean revealed earlier this month that Richardson will remain at the helm if the club continues to improve and the Saints coach said he was comfortable with where his future sits.

"I think outside noise and the impact it has on footy clubs is probably overstated," Richardson said.

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"I understand that media are going to make a fair bit of noise about performance and look for an opportunity to sell papers or get viewers.

"Clearly last week wasn't good enough and that has basically been my focus.

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"You rely on the internal conversations and I am really comfortable based on the conversations I have had in terms of where that sits.

"That's pretty clear that we have to continue to improve and grow and I am really comfortable with that."