Returning midfielder Murray Davidson insisted St Johnstone’s managerial uncertainty has not affected the stuttering team but admitted he hopes it ends soon.
The former Livingston man lived through turbulent times at Almondvale before moving to the relative calm of McDiarmid Park and has seen what can happen to an unsettled side.
He denied the lack of a permanent manager was at fault for St Johnstone’s first league loss to St Mirren in over five years, saying things have not changed since Derek McInnes left for Bristol.
He said: ”When I was at Livingston, it was different circumstances because managers were getting sacked but it is the same for the players in that we just have to wait and see what happens.
”We have to be professional about things and Alec (Cleland) and Jody (Morris) have gone about things the same way as before. Up until now nothing’s changed but, if it was to drag on for months, I think it would affect us. But I don’t think it will come to that.
”The players don’t speak about it it doesn’t matter what we want and the chairman will make a decision and until then we just have to get on with things.
”I’m coming back at the right time because you want to be fit for a new manager coming in. It’s a clean slate for everyone and we will all be looking to impress.”
Cleland denied Saturday’s result will have a bearing on his bid for the manager’s seat but acknowledged his side had been off the pace, not least in a Halloween horror show of a first half in which neither goalkeeper was troubled.
Although they were better in the second period, they were hit with a sucker punch by a St Mirren side prepared to mix it up far more than previously this season, when pretty football has not led to points.
After crashing out of the league cup to lower league Ayr in midweek, Paisley manager Danny Lennon had promised to play to target man striker Steven Thompson’s strengths but the home side failed to note the warning.
With just nine minutes left, a long ball was flicked on by the former Dundee United man and Scotland under-21 midfielder Kenny McLean raced on to it and lashed an unstoppable shot past Peter Enckelmann.
It was one of few chances for St Mirren as St Johnstone looked for their customary points against the visitors but Fran Sandaza’s low first-half drive slipped past the post.
The free-scoring Spaniard looked again looked the most likely to create something for St Johnstone but he sent a free header from just yards out wide of the left-hand post just moments before the winning goal.
The other half of the normally effective strike partnership, Cillian Sheridan, also saw a goal-bound effort stopped on the line by former St Johnstone goalkeeper Craig Samson after he reacted first to a dangerous Liam Craig corner.
Cleland said: ”There was a lack of self-belief and we didn’t reach the standards we can achieve, especially in the first half. I don’t know why that would be because we’re fourth in the league with a good squad, flying high and at home.
”I’ve not picked up on the managerial situation having any effect in training and it shouldn’t affect the players. You have to credit St Mirren because they have been very difficult to play against this season.”