St Mirren has received praise for their performances, with a Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic just two weeks away. However, both the team and manager Stephen Robinson find themselves in need of solutions.
“I’ve made it very clear to them – unless something changes, we’re in a relegation battle,” Robinson stated to BBC Scotland following a 3-1 defeat to Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
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“It’s not good enough. It’s unacceptable. The results we’ve had since reaching the final haven’t been satisfactory.”
The loss at Dens Park positions the historically top-six club at 11th in the Premiership, with Dundee’s win moving them ahead of St Mirren.
With only two victories from their first 13 league matches, St Mirren is struggling significantly. Under Robinson’s management, the team has consistently exceeded expectations, but this season is proving challenging.
They have obtained just a single point in their last seven league games, without a win since defeating Steven Pressley’s side in September. Nevertheless, they are set to compete against Celtic in the League Cup final.
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While the league season is still in its early stages, Robinson recognizes the looming danger if the team does not begin to secure points.
What’s Causing St Mirren’s Struggles?
Managers are often queried about how to reverse a poor run or identify the underlying issues.
While responses frequently cite referee decisions, bad luck, or fine margins, St Mirren’s current predicament cannot be entirely attributed to these factors.
Robinson has been unambiguous about the team’s shortcomings, addressing them both before and after the recent match.
“It’s the same old story,” he remarked. “From 18 yards in, we were good. We had 18 shots but only three on target.”
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“They had eight shots with four on target and scored three goals. That’s the difference in games.”
“I can keep saying the performances are decent, but they only ‘feel’ that way from 18-18. What matters is in both boxes, and we’ve not executed well in either.”
In short, they are failing to convert chances and gifting goals away, a pattern that was evident at Dens Park.
How Dire Is Their Situation?
In Scotland’s typically congested top-flight table, it’s widely understood that a couple of wins can vastly change a team’s standing. The focus then may shift to another team or manager.
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In a media briefing prior to the trip to Dundee, Robinson noted, “We faced a similar stretch last season and managed to finish in the top six,” emphasizing that his team was third from the bottom with only two wins from their first ten matches last year.
While they often find a rhythm, Robinson’s reference to relegation after this defeat is notable. It could be a tactic to spark a response or a genuine indication of his concern that this troubling trend risks becoming persistent.
“Looking at the table now, it should resonate with them [the players],” he added.
“I’ve been cautious with them. We live in a world where sometimes the truth can’t be told outright, and you can’t yell at them. You must approach it differently.”
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“Our primary goal is to remain in this division, and we definitely have players capable of achieving that.”
“Right now, however, I’m relying on three or four each week to drive the team, and others need to step up.”
What Lies Ahead and Where’s the Hope?
The holiday schedule is always taxing in terms of both timing and intensity.
Given their current streak, a midweek trip to Pittodrie might not be what Robinson desires right now, despite Aberdeen’s ups and downs this season.
Crucially, following that match, they will face three Premiership games against Dundee United, Livingston, and Kilmarnock, as well as the cup final against Celtic.
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These home games usually present favorable opportunities for points that St Mirren would typically embrace. At this juncture, however, they are essential, as poor results could leave them in a precarious position.
“I’ve been through this before,” Robinson asserted. “I have players in the dressing room I trust, and I’m confident they will deliver. However, there are some who need to elevate their contributions.”
What Do Pundits Have to Say?
BBC Scotland pundit Allan Preston, covering St Mirren’s defeat by Dundee, succinctly captured the team’s current state.
“St Mirren, just two weeks from a cup final, are in a really tough spot,” he observed.
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Rory Loy, who has had two loan stints with St Mirren during his playing days, added, “Stephen Robinson has experienced a similar challenging phase in his St Mirren tenure before, but this one might be worse.
If past performance is any indicator, Robinson has built substantial credit in the bank and should be capable of steering the team to a stronger finish in the league.”