Saints fans are tired of the clichés ... what we need now is a win
When you do this job long enough, you learn all of the clichés.
Let’s look at a couple of the favourites. Managers often say “one game at a time” and “every game is worth the same three points”.
But, with the current lie of the land in the bottom six of the Scottish Premiership, I’d argue both of those go out of the window in Paisley this weekend.
A much-needed win for St Mirren over Hibs, who sacked boss Shaun Maloney on Tuesday morning, could see them overtake the Edinburgh side in seventh place.
However, if results go the other way for Stephen Robinson’s men, they could end up just three points ahead of St Johnstone in the play-off position, with the Buddies taking on the Perthshire side the following week at McDiarmid Park.
David Gray has already been in temporary charge of the Easter Road club at the SMiSA Stadium once this season following the sacking of another former Buddies gaffer, Jack Ross, in December when the sides played a 1-1 draw.
Ex-Steelmen manager Robinson is still awaiting his first home victory in charge of Saints, having only won one of his first eight games at the helm, away to Dundee, on March 9.
That win at the beginning of last month, courtesy of a last minute winner by Connor Ronan, also represents the last time the team kept a clean sheet.
And that’s a big thing, especially considering in the other seven games, Saints have conceded a total of 19 goals, scoring only six themselves.
So, it’s not difficult to see where the Buddies’ problems lie.
But if one win could change the mindset, it might just be this one, with the opportunity to climb the table against a team that are said to be taking their time in appointing a new man to take them forward ahead of the new campaign.
The Leith men made the choice to release former Celtic midfielder and Scotland international Shaun Maloney of his duties after just six wins in 19 games – four months into his tenure.
The final straw was Saturday’s 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat against fierce derby rivals Hearts at the national stadium.
So, would this be a good time to catch the capital club or will they have a point to prove?
That can often be the case when there is a change in the dugout.
Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.
But, whatever happens with the opposition, it’s time for the hosts to step up and take the initiative.
Will that initiative be taken by Robinson’s charges?
Hopefully, that will happen to take the pressure off the boss and send the Buddies faithful home happy after the recent tricky spell.
One player who could be vital in that is striker Eamonn Brophy, who netted against Hibs earlier this campaign, in an away 2-2 draw.
Speaking exclusively to Express Sport, he said: “Everyone just needs to stick together. Obviously, it’s been a difficult run, there’s no getting away from that.
“But, we believe in the manager and what he’s trying to do here.
“We’re working hard on the training pitch and, hopefully, that can come through sooner rather than later because we certainly need the points.”
And that is the attitude which needs to be on show throughout the whole squad tomorrow to get the right result.
Jay Henderson will also be a vital part of the cog as someone who the fans relate to from the stands.
The young winger has been getting a chance under the new manager, scoring the early opener against Dundee United, before making his debut for Scotland at Under-21 level.
But the one thing that could be vitality important tomorrow is the defensive structure.
In all but one of his games in charge, Robinson has went with a back four.
The exception was at 2-0 defeat against leaders Celtic. In an attempt to appear more solid and to combat what, so far, has turned out be a very leaky backline, could that be possible option?
I don’t know, but three points is becoming a must.
Whatever happens with the opposition, it’s time for the hosts to step up and take the initiative