There’s a long way to go ...but so far, so good
As one target is met we move on to another as St Mirren kick-off the second quarter tomorrow.
Things have gone swimmingly so far but in the end all that will matter is the points total come May.
Sitting on 21 points, a total which it took 27 games to achieve last season, Saints look good for the title if the bookies are to be believed.
The likes of William Hill and Ladbrokes may be doing a rip-roaring trade in Paisley High Street with punters piling on the pounds in the hope of the double of hitting the jackpot and celebrating a title win at the end of the season.
And it is hard to argue against it, despite the club at least trying to temper some expectations following their latest victory.
They haven’t always been at their best this season.
But yet they still sit top of the league. Everyone in this league is there for the taking.
St Mirren included, if the first round of results is anything to go by.
Without an obvious candidate for top spot for the first time in years, Dundee United, St Mirren and Falkirk had all been touted as champions.
Nine games in, Dundee United continue to flounder, Falkirk are doing their best Saints tribute act circa 2016, while Saints are at least giving it a go.
No-one is running away with it, and on first evidence no-one looks like they will either.
Livingston, a name not even muttered in the same breath as promotion, are keen to take full advantage of the inconsistencies among the league’s top teams as they sit proudly in second spot just three points off the top.
St Mirren are the only side to beat them so far, which is a remarkable record for David Hopkin’s side considering they only achieved promotion this year.
They say not to get carried away until you have played everyone once.
Be prepared for the same cliche to be trotted out, but instead changing the word once for twice.
The league will begin to open up in the second quarter and by Christmas every side will know what battle it is they are fighting.
Any number of at least eight sides will firmly believe they have what it takes to at least make the play-offs
Brechin’s race is already run and probably by their own admission, while Dumbarton’s budget means that staying in the division remains a priority.
One side that doesn’t really know where their attentions lie at the moment will be this weekend’s opponents, Falkirk.
The similarities between the Bairns and the Buddies of last season are striking.
Many, myself included, believed that this could be the year that Falkirk finally managed to get themselves out of the division.
But following a disappointing start to the season, which has seen them sack gaffer Peter Houston and with only one win to their name, getting out of danger may be their first priority.
Paul Hartley has already set his sights on the promotion play- offs despite sitting 10 points off fourth.
And it is hard to slate his ambition – because that is probably where Falkirk should be, and should be aiming for with the side that they possess.
Jack Ross did the same before him at Saints last year – but he would be the first to admit that it isn’t always as easy at it seems.
The second quarter will prove make it or break it as far as Falkirk’s ambitions for the season are concerned – nine games’ time will show if they are looking to make the promotion play-offs, or avoid their relegation counterparts.
It would take a bold man to predict Falkirk to fall through the relegation trapdoor, but stranger things have happened.
One look at the odds would suggest it isn’t even worth your while putting money down on Falkirk going down
But with St Mirren at as much as 9/4 with some high-street bookies to take the title, you would be forgiven for telling them to take your money.