The early promise at St Johnstone when their bright eyed American owner took over has paled, with Saints shaping up for a survival slugfest.
Simo Valakari’s enthusiasm isn’t matched by the efficacy of his players – and he’ll need to recruit wisely in January to lift them from the foot of the table.
He was undoubtedly dealt a poor hand when he came to McDiarmid Park, but grim results are the reason most managers get their jobs.
13 defeats in 19 games clearly indicate this is a Perth side without the required parts to rebuild their season without additional components.
Valakari said after the Boxing Day defeat to Dundee United that he would: “Enjoy these moments in a crazy way, because it was a test of character of what kind of team we are.”
Many Saints fans will think they already know what kind of team they are; one lacking sufficient resolve to overcome their increasing odds of a headlong descent towards relegation.
The current squad needs to scrap much harder and find the self-belief needed if they’re to thwart that grim possibility, but it’ll take serious strengthening in the January transfer window to improve Saints slim survival chances.
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