Better from the Buddies ... but a creative spark still is missing

When you’re on a losing streak of six games, any win will do.

That was certainly the case on Wednesday night as St Mirren forced their fans through the wringer before eventually sealing the elusive win that they and Jim Goodwin had been craving.

While it was all-important to finally get back to winning ways, the manner of the victory was less than convincing.

Indeed, if a neutral had been put in the stands for the first half and been told to choose which team hadn’t kicked a competitive ball in seven months, I’m pretty sure they would have picked the Buddies and not the Jags.

Partick Thistle were running rampant for long spells on Wednesday night, with only two desperate goalline clearances helping the Saints avoid a Betfred Cup shock that could have had serious consequences for the manager.

Goodwin spoke frankly this week about meetings with the Buddies board and the importance of getting back to winning ways quickly.

He owned up and took responsibility for the poor run, which is admirable in itself, but nevertheless the form simply had to improve this week.

The significance of the Partick Thistle game perhaps played a part in St Mirren’s sluggish start to Wednesday night’s clash, with the players surely well aware of the implications a poor result could have had on their boss.

Richard Tait’s return to the side couldn’t have come at a better time, with the left back sorely missing over the last two defeats, both in defence and going forward.

His customary diving headers and lastditch tackles are helping to paper over the cracks of a team that still hasn’t found its rhythm going forward.

Despite, again, fielding a number of attacking players against the Jags, there was still an unmistakable lack of cohesion in the Saints midfield.

Indeed, it was only when the Jags understandably tired towards the end of the night that the hosts managed to finally break through, with subs Kyle McAllister and Dylan Connolly’s pace and creativity making a difference in the final third.

Those two could be crucial to the Buddies if they can keep their fitness levels up, with Connolly’s speed looking particularly threatening since he joined.

While Ethan Erhahon and Cammy MacPherson are brilliant prospects, neither have the confidence yet to drive the ball forward from midfield, with both preferring to keep the ball and work back to their defence.

Nathan Sheron is also more comfortable playing safe instead of bursting forward.

That lack of a creative playmaker makes Goodwin’s side a straightforward task to deal with defensively.

While Jon Obika and Lee Erwin are a handful, they still find themselves largely chasing long, hopeful balls up front and into the channels.

What makes the lack of that midfield engine even more painful at the moment is that the young talent who could have filled that void - Kyle Magennis - has now departed for Hibs.

I would never blame a player for leaving for a bigger club to be paid a bigger wage. But, nevertheless, his move has left a gaping hole in the heart of the Saints midfield that simply has to be filled.

Goodwin will surely be hoping that his board back him over the next week and help him bring in an offensive midfielder that can finally bridge the gap between the middle and the front of his team.

It’s clear that Goodwin has the backing of his players, but that will only get him so far and he needs to pick up another win against a tricky opposition in Dumfries tomorrow to keep the wolves from the door.

Back-to-back victories would certainly help heading into three crucial league matches against Motherwell, Hamilton and Dundee United.

They are all in the same group of eight sides in the Premiership table that are hoping to distance themselves from the bottom - with just four points separating St Johnstone in 12th and Kilmarnock in 5th.

That trio of matches at St Mirren Park will go a long way to determining what kind of season lies ahead for the Buddies faithful and their gaffer Goodwin.

Fingers crossed someone in the stripes can spark a winning run.