Goodwin will need to find goals if his Buddies are to achieve theirs
BOLD ambitions are one thing but making a rod for your own back is another as St Mirren attempt to break into the top six.
Chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick has talked the talk and joined manager Jim Goodwin in stating the Buddies are targeting a top-half finish.
Doing so will hinge on improving their below-par scoring.
Saints managed just 24 strikes last season, the lowest in the league, with eight of those coming from Jon Obika.
He remains one of just two strikers at the club, the other being Junior Morias, who notched a mere two goals in his first campaign in the stripes.
It’s fair to say that Saints could do with one or two reinforcements up front to remedy their meagre goalscoring exploits.
On the other hand, their defence – one of the best-performing last season – has been strengthened considerably.
Ex-Motherwell man Richard Tait, former Ross County captain Marcus Fraser and St Johnstone’s old skipper Joe Shaughnessy have joined. Defensive midfielders Nathan Sheron and Isak Thorvaldsson have also headed north to Paisley on loan from Fleetwood Town and Norwich respectively.
Much may also rest on how quickly former Rangers keeper Jak Alnwick fills the considerable void left by fans’ favourite Vaclav Hladky.
The ex-Newcastle man is likely to be kept busy and will have to hit the ground running given the Paisley side face both sides of the Old Firm in their first three games.
Defence may prove to be the best form of attack as that lack of firepower hasn’t been addressed and Goodwin knows he must add a scoring threat at the Simple Digital Arena. The Irishman had targeted six new players before the club’s opener against Livingston and nobody works harder at getting out and about to look for
INJURY and inconsistency must become a thing of the past if he is to bring his undoubted potential to St Mirren’s first-team table.
The Buddies academy product was one of the country’s top prospects when he left for Derby in January 2017 only for a serious groin problem to ruin his time down south.
A loan spell in Paisley has become permanent and the 21-year-old has a point to prove. The winger must add goals to his game and impose himself week to week as a creative driving force.
If that can be achieved then another big move is not beyond him.
BY GORDON PARKS talent. But he’s leaving his striker recruitment until the last minute.
This could also be the campaign in which some of the club’s kids emerge from a youth system that is starting to prove its worth under the watchful eye of Allan McManus.
Saints may have to count on these kids making an impact due to financial constraints and they should use Kyle McAllister and Kyle Magennis as sources of inspiration.
Both are products of the club’s academy and, at 21 years old, this is the campaign for the pair to take leading roles in Paisley.
Goodwin certainly thinks so. He believes McAllister can be one of Scotland’s best wingers and the key is for the youngster to try to avoid the injuries that have hampered his progress.
Magennis is in the same boat. Two top talents and two reasons to believe St Mirren can take that top-six stride this season.
Another cause for optimism is having one of the game’s brightest and most enthusiastic managers in the shape of Goodwin and his sidekick Lee Sharp.
The pair have proven there is life after Jack Ross in Paisley, having cut their coaching teeth at Alloa in the second tier, and they’ve taken their rise into the top flight with ease.
Goodwin knows what’s needed to transform his club from one facing a relegation dogfight to something far better – but he has been asked to do it on a shoestring.
His eye for a player and ability to bring out the best from younger members of his squad are key.
There’s no doubt the arrival of experienced midfielder Sam Foley was one of the most influential Premiership signings of last season.
The 33-year-old Englishman shoulders responsibility superbly and he’ll be asked to display that same authority as vice-captain this term.
Saints have come through their preseason coronavirus scare and it will be fascinating to see how they shape up in the opener against Livi.
Like every club with high hopes of punching above their Premiership weight, a good start is essential if Fitzpatrick’s top-six dream isn’t to become a nightmare battle against the drop that they flirted with last season.
Setting goals are one thing but Goodwin is aware that getting players in to score them is his biggest priority.
Top six may be a stretch too far but, in Goodwin, St Mirren already have a top-six coaching talent.