After taking four points from a tough opening against Dundee United, Celtic and Hibs, things seemed to be set up nicely for September. Away games at Kilmarnock and St. Johnstone would almost certainly yield at least one win, and we'd then round things off with a home victory over Caley Thistle. Instead, we lost both our away games and absolutely have to win tomorrow. After all the optimism surrounding the Danny Lennon era, the fans are already getting restless.
It's almost understandable as, from the outside, there has been no real change to the last few years under the Gus MacPherson era. Poor performances, a lack of creativity, losing to lower league sides in the cups - it's all there. To put an en end to that, we need to get some points on the board - and quickly. Tomorrow's match is the ideal place to do that and hopefully the increased support provided by the new singing section can help cheer the team on to three points.
Since we were promoted in 2006, we have faced Caley Thistle in six games at home and honours are even, with two wins apiece and two draws. Hopefully, the days of them regularly thumping four past us are gone - although they did produce a similar scoreline at Tannadice a few weeks ago! Our last game against the Highlanders was in the horrific post split days in 2009 when we just collapsed and were desperately close to relegation, eventually staying up at Caley Thistle's expense by just two goals. Obviously a lot has changed with the two side's since then - although Caley Thistle do still have many players who were with them when they first got into the top flight in 2004 - and this is a match both Lennon and Terry Butcher will be looking to win if their respective side's are to avoid the drop this time around.
The good news for Lennon is that he won't be forced to play former postie Gareth Wardlaw on his own up front tomorrow as Paul McGowan is back from suspension. He may even have the luxury of a reserve striker as Paul McQuade is back fit and could be on the bench - hopefully joined by a youngster like Graeme Ramage or Conor Ramsay. While playing with one striker is negative, we haven't had much option recently. The addition of a strike partner should help Wardlaw a bit as he bids to get over his shocking miss against the Saintees last week.
The return of McGowan means someone will have to drop out of midfield and it wouldn't be a surprise if Steven Robb was dropped, as the reports of him last week weren't good. If he does miss out, that means a first appearance at Greenhill Road for Nick Hegarty. The other midfield slots - if we return to 4-4-2 as expected - will likely be taken by Hugh Murray, Sean Lynch - who is turning into a bit of goal machine - and one of Garry Brady and Darren McGregor. Personally, I'd prefer to see McGregor in defence with Brady in midfield as he does offer some creativity occasionally. Steven Thomson's injury is a huge blow and we'll just need to try to get by as best we can for the next few weeks.
That brings us to the defence. It's fair to say Lennon was not impressed with what he saw last week and it would not be a surprise to see changes. Jure Travner's place at leftback is probably safe as there's no one else to go there, but the other slots are almost certainly up for grabs. Expect one of John Potter or Lee Mair to be dropped with Darren McGregor slotting in beside them, while Marc McAusland could replace the disappointing David van Zanten. David Barron is still some way from fitness, but there is some good news as he could agree a new contract in the near future.
Caley Thistle have only managed one win so far this season, the aforementioned thumping of Dundee United, and we're usually more than willing to help out teams in such situations (last week's game at Perth being evidence of that). They're not exactly coming into this one on the best of form, having being dealt six of the best by Celtic in midweek, but Butcher will make sure there is no chance of that scoreline happening again tomorrow. Despite their poor start, Caley Thistle do strike me as one of those sides that have used relegation to their advantage and appear to have come back a much stronger outfit.
They have plenty of goals in them from Adam Rooney and Richie Foran, who managed over 40 between them last season in the club's successful promotion bid. Eric Odhiambo also seems capable of scoring some goals while midfielder Jonathan Hayes seems to be pretty highly rated. In midfield they also feature Stuart Duff, who could have been lining up in black and white tomorrow if he had decided to sign for us last month. One player who has worn the stripes is Chris Innes, who was with us last season before being the first casualty of the Lennon regime. Given our defensive woes at the moment that was perhaps a mistake, especially as he is also a real threat from set pieces - as his own side found out last week when he scored an own goal.
Many of the Caley Thistle players will be familiar to Saints fans as they've been there for years. Guys like Russell Duncan, Roy McBain and Grant Munro have all been at the club for the best part of a decade and will probably not play for anyone else in the SPL. No preview of a game against Caley Thistle would be complete without a mention of another of those long serving players, Ross Tokely. The clogging defender will be giving his usual barrage of abuse from Saints fans tomorrow and it's for good reason, as in 1999 he destroyed the career of promising youngster Chris Kerr with a shocking challenge in front of the North Bank. He showed no remorse at the time, claiming it was his throw in (helpfully admitting he didn't win the ball) and none since. Not that he cares about the abuse - last time we played he scored a late winner! Here's hoping history isn't repeated tomorrow.