In two of the last three seasons we've entered the post-split phase fighting for our lives, and this season is no different. It really is squeaky bum, brown trouser time again (hence the smell). Just goal difference is keeping us ahead of Falkirk, while Kilmarnock are only a point better off. It's time for everyone at the club to stand up and be counted and ensure that, once again, our battle to beat the drop has a successful outcome.
I'm not confident that will happen. Last week's game against Falkirk was our biggest of the season, yet the players seemingly didn't bother to turn up and the tactics were once again poor. However, regardless of our thoughts on the squad and management, we must put that behind us for a few weeks and unite in a bid to achieve a common goal - clinch SPL survival. The fans have a big part to play, starting tomorrow. They must turn out in numbers and make plenty of noise and give our players some sort of motivation. All too often, our players almost expect to get beaten - and as soon as we go behind the fans do too. That approach must stop, or else we'll be going to Dingwall and Greenock next season.
Team selection in recent weeks hasn't helped the declining mood of the supporters, but it wouldn't be a surprise if we went with the same team that was so ineffectual against Falkirk last week. This would, once again, mean the misfiring strikeforce of Billy Mehmet (two league goals this season) and Michael Higdon (three league goals) would get another chance not to add to their tallies as Craig Dargo looks as if he'll still be missing. Why on earth is Rory Loy not being given a chance? Higdon and Mehmet have had countless opportunities to impress but, quite simply, they don't score enough goals. Loy offers something different - he has pace, movement and a willingness to take players on, which he can do successfully. He can't be any worse than the other two.
Injuries, a lack of a players and an unwillingness to go with youngsters restricts our options, although Andy Dorman could come in for Garry Brady after scoring against Falkirk last week. If Dorman hasn't got himself a move sorted yet, he better up his game as his performances this season wouldn't earn him a move to Morton. We desperately need him to get back to his best before he leaves in the summer, and a few goals at this stage of the season would be more than welcome. On the injury front Jack Ross is out for the rest of the campaign, so he can join Dargo, Allan Johnston and Tom Brighton in the stands. Steven Robb is fit, but as we seem to be sticking with 3-5-2 and Graham Carey is starting, the former Dundee and Dundee United man is likely to be a sub.
St. Johnstone have had the sort of league season we can only dream of. It may be their first time in the SPL for seven years but they have had terrific fun, hammering Rangers and Hibs and pulling off a number of impressive results, although curiously they've only managed one win from three games against us. They also made the semi-finals of the League Cup and Derek McInnes could well be set for a move elsewhere in the summer after impressing chairmen north and south of the border.
The Saintees form has frustrated many Buddies fans this season as they wonder why we couldn't achieve similar performances. It's even more annoying when you consider they have a similar budget and a number of their impressive signings would surely have been within our reach. Midfielder Murray Davidson must be one of the signings of the season, with Danny Grainger excelling at leftback and Dave Mackay settling in well after signing from Livingston. Up front, Dr Goals Kenny Deuchar is capable of scoring now and then and on-loan Celtic man Cillian Sheridan has been in lethal form, making you wonder why we didn't make a move for him in January. Jody Morris, who has been there for a few years, and Michael Duberry - who arrived in February - have also been doing a good job, although they probably would have been too expensive for us.
As it's a crucial game in our bid to beat the drop and St. Johnstone are involved, it would be remiss of me not to mention Alan Main. Nine years ago, when we were battling Dundee United for SPL safety, the Arabs headed to Perth in the second last game of the season. Main - a former United player - said before the game it would break his heart if United went down. At half time, we were 2-1 up and the Saintees were 2-0 up. United turned things around to win 3-2, with Main looking rather suspect at some of their goals. Ever since then, he has been showered with abuse when we've come up against him, and there's a chance that could happen tomorrow. It may be a conspiracy, but had the Old Firm been involved the papers wouldn't have shut up about it - and his actions at Gretna in 2007 after signing a pre-contract agreement to go back to St. Johnstone suggests there might be some truth in the tale.
Let's hope we settle the score once and for all tomorrow.