{"id":15071,"title":"Feeling \u201822","description":"Following last year\u2019s 7th place league finish (a 31 year high), feeling around Paisley heading into the 2021\/22 season was high. It brings me no pleasure, however, to report that for much of the campaign thus far, St Mirren have been well and truly At It.","content":"

By Andrew Christie<\/em><\/strong>\"\"
Following last year\u2019s 7th place league finish (a 31 year high), feeling around Paisley heading into the 2021\/22 season was high. It brings me no pleasure, however, to report that for much of the campaign thus far, St Mirren have been well and truly At It.<\/p>

3 wins in 20 league games; Saints sit 9th in the cinch Premiership table on a rather uninspiring 19 points. It has not made for happy watching.<\/p>

Jim Goodwin has made clear his desire to trim the squad in the January transfer window, and with (imho) at least three of Kyle McAllister, Ryan Flynn, Lee Erwin, Kristian Dennis and Jamie McGrath likely to be moved on, this could be the most important window Goodwin has experienced at the club.<\/p>

Fear not, as Misery Hunters have scoured the globe and identified five potential January targets that could see us right in the 2021\/22 season.<\/p>

Georgie Kelly \u2013 Striker, 23.<\/strong>\"\"
An evergreen issue with Saints in recent years has been a lack of goalscoring ability. With just 18 goals scored in 20 league games, this campaign has been no different as we once again find ourselves crying out for a number 9. It seemed for a spell that Eamonn Brophy might be the answer to this, but his time at Paisley has been hampered by injuries and a general lack of service, limiting the striker to just 5 goals in 17 league games.<\/p>

While there is, of course, ample time for Brophy to come good, Goodwin will likely look to reinforce his striking options and would do well to look to League of Ireland Premier Division top scorer and recently crowned PFAI Player of the Year Georgie Kelly<\/strong>. The 25-year-old striker\u2013 who netted 21 times in 29 during a superb 2021 league campaign with Bohemians \u2013 will not be short of suitors, already reportedly attracting attention from Scotland, as well as down south. A ruthless finisher, Kelly is powerful, athletic, and intelligent both on and off the ball. His experience of playing up front as part of a two, a three as well as a lone striker could be the perfect fit for Saints under Goodwin\u2019s current system<\/p>

Alex Gogi\u0107 \u2013 Midfielder, 27.<\/strong>\"\"
Alex Gogi\u0107<\/strong> is a player that we have been linked with previously, and with the Cypriot rumoured to be surplus to requirements under new Hibs gaffer Shaun Maloney \u2013 it could be an effective avenue for St Mirren to explore in January.<\/p>

At times this season, it has felt like the defensive solidity and organisation that Jim Goodwin had built his side on has fallen by the wayside, with the back-three-with-wing-backs system repeatedly coming under scrutiny as a result.<\/p>

The 27-year-old has experience of playing in front of a back three at Hibs, and his positional discipline would be key in recycling possession and stopping sides that attack with tempo from carving us open as they have at times this season. His presence in midfield and ability to pass under pressure would also free up Ethan Erhahon to play a more box-to-box number 8 role.<\/p>

Of course, Gogi\u0107 would perform a similar role to Alan Power, but would take the onus off the 33-year-old Irishman to do it every week.<\/p>

Despite recent criticisms of Goodwin\u2019s back three, I predict January will be used to shore up the existing system rather than to make any wholesale formational or tactical changes - Gogi\u0107 represents an opportunity to do just that.<\/p>

Jamie Walker \u2013 Forward, 28.<\/strong>\"\"
Since returning to Hearts, Jamie Walker<\/strong> has split opinion amongst the Tynecastle faithful (one of few fanbases in the country to make St Mirren fans look reasonable). Up there with the most naturally gifted talents Hearts have produced in recent years, an ill-fated move to Wigan Athletic (and a loan spell at Peterborough Utd) saw his career stall somewhat. Since his return to Gorgie in 2019, he has started around a third of games he has been available for.<\/p>

On his day, however, Walker is the type of player that can change a game in an instant. He combines technical ability with a keen vision and is a constant goal threat in and around the opposition box.<\/p>

With experience in Hearts\u2019 3-4-3 formation, Walker would be a good fit for Jim Goodwin. If the 28-year-old can capture the consistency that once saw him the subject of a UK-wide bidding war, he will not be short of admirers. Recently linked with moves to Livingston and St Johnstone, St Mirren would be wise to put their name into the mix for Walker\u2019s signature.<\/p>

Danny Mandroiu \u2013 Winger, 23.<\/strong>\"\"
Chief amongst St Mirren\u2019s issues this campaign has been a lack of creativity in the forward areas. While this can be attributed to system rather than personnel (we are not short of technically capable players, but too often they find themselves craning their necks to watch balls soar over them), it is clear to see that we are a side crying out for some additional spark. With a superb 15 goals and 5 assists in Shamrock Rovers\u2019 2021 league-winning campaign, Danny Mandroiu<\/strong> is a player far from lacking in that department.<\/p>

Mandroiu has excelled as part of Rovers\u2019 boss Stephen Bradley\u2019s 3-4-3, whether deployed as a winger, in a free role behind the striker, or as a traditional number ten. The ROI U21 cap has the ability to adapt to in-game situations in a way that would take our forward line to the next level.<\/p>

The League of Ireland has proved a fruitful market for Saints in the past, and with Jamie McGrath currently making a name for himself in Stephen Kenny\u2019s national setup \u2013 and Conor Ronan sure to follow \u2013 the SMISA Stadium could prove an attractive destination for Mandroiu. With a proposed move to Celtic looking increasingly unlikely, Jim Goodwin would do well to keep an eye on the 23-year-old\u2019s availability.<\/p>

Scott Allan \u2013 Midfielder, 30.<\/strong>\"\"
Despite his playing time being curtailed recently by unfortunate health issues, Scott Allan <\/strong>remains one of the most effective attacking midfielders in the SPFL.<\/p>

Typically deployed behind the striker(s), Allan expertly roams between the lines, armed with his almost unrivalled vision and passing.<\/p>

His \u2013 rather underrated \u2013 off-the-ball work would be a boon for any club too; his ability to recover in the final third vital to his side\u2019s press.<\/p>

Whether utilised as a starter or introduced as a sub when games are stretched, Allan has much to give. Jim Goodwin\u2019s footballing philosophy could be the ideal environment to facilitate and nurture the midfielder\u2019s talent.<\/p>

With a proposed January swap deal involving Jamie McGrath falling through at the last second, and with Allan potentially having more of a place in Shaun Maloney\u2019s Hibs setup than Jack Ross\u2019, the ship may have sailed on bringing the 30-year-old to Paisley, but with his contract set to expire in May, it is a situation for the club to consider nonetheless.\"\"
Despite a poor first half of the season, this campaign is far from a lost cause. While pre-season expectation (flames stoked by overzealous idiot bloggers, hey guys) may have to be tempered slightly, the 8 points between us and 6th place is not an insurmountable task. The Nature of the Cinch \u2122 is such that an entire season can shift based on a few games.<\/p>

For what it\u2019s worth I\u2019m still willing to stick my (overzealous, hey guys) neck on the line and say that a push for a top-half finish come April will be more our concern than any form of relegation battle.<\/p>

That being said, there is a lot of work to be done in both refining the current system to best suit the squad and identifying potential talent to get the most out of that system. This January transfer window could prove to be a significant one for Jim Goodwin, as St Mirren look to deliver on their potential in the remainder of the 2021\/22 season.<\/p>","urlTitle":"feeling-22","url":"\/blog\/feeling-22\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/feeling-22\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/miseryhunters.co.uk\/blog\/feeling-22\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1641229517,"updatedAt":1641230510,"publishedAt":1641230510,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":106606,"name":"Misery Hunters"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/hzpmap6n9r0votg8azam2c4on7cf6arqyhha21gsddzvik9u.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/hzpmap6n9r0votg8azam2c4on7cf6arqyhha21gsddzvik9u.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/hzpmap6n9r0votg8azam2c4on7cf6arqyhha21gsddzvik9u.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":45710,"title":"Up for the Cup","url":"\/blog\/up-for-the-cup\/","urlTitle":"up-for-the-cup","division":106606,"description":"Experience St Mirren's Scottish Cup journey through the eyes of passionate supporters, from the historic 1987 triumph to modern-day memories. Featuring exclusive fan stories spanning multiple generations. Discover tales of away-day adventures, legendary goals, and unforgettable moments that define what the Scottish Cup means to St Mirren FC fans. Whether you're a die-hard Saints supporter or a Scottish football enthusiast, these personal accounts capture the magic, drama, and community spirit of Scotland's premier cup competition","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/jhxvt1ehpyn9cgg7jchjz2zymyek3z5jmy3dfm3subty2utl.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/jhxvt1ehpyn9cgg7jchjz2zymyek3z5jmy3dfm3subty2utl.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":42062,"title":"The 2024\/25 Scottish Premiership Shirts, Ranked","url":"\/blog\/kit-ranking-title\/","urlTitle":"kit-ranking-title","division":106606,"description":"Misery Hunters resident football shirt enjoyer, hipster and legend Andrew Christie rates this season's Scottish Premiership kits.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/w2eitv2d9twkniayvttextqligscyxfrnf5ax8r6vqdoq9no.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/w2eitv2d9twkniayvttextqligscyxfrnf5ax8r6vqdoq9no.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":15930,"title":"Walking on Broken Glass","url":"\/blog\/walking-on-broken-glass\/","urlTitle":"walking-on-broken-glass","division":106606,"description":"By Andrew Christie","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/3f1ytelvulzf9ddlq5dqnhmqd3duw5pz411aoaccx7vli28a.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/3f1ytelvulzf9ddlq5dqnhmqd3duw5pz411aoaccx7vli28a.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}