{"id":37338,"title":"The Back Five #8","description":"Misery Hunter's writer Andrew Christie casts a sideways look over the past seven days of St Mirren FC.","content":"<p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/z0cn3ly7gbfoecmzswd53jbpfqwxb2fbuhy4ygauqiwdundc.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"z0cn3ly7gbfoecmzswd53jbpfqwxb2fbuhy4ygauqiwdundc.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>These days if you lose a Scottish Cup game they don\u2019t let you play in it anymore. Because of woke.<\/p><p>For that reason, St Mirren had a free weekend. A time for rest, for reflection and for noticing five things in some kind of a list-based format.<\/p><p>Join Misery Hunters\u2019 <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/thatAndrewC\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>Andrew Christie<\/u><\/a>, as he casts an eye over the past week in St Mirren FC.<\/p><p><\/p><h3><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/l3ot9rx4hwmwbntcryqrprdgoprn25kb8znfogdw9ku1uvxa.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"l3ot9rx4hwmwbntcryqrprdgoprn25kb8znfogdw9ku1uvxa.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>Euro Step<\/h3><p>Saturday lunchtime saw Kilmarnock crash out of the Scottish Cup with a whimper, suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Aberdeen.<\/p><p>With silverware now out of the picture, Killie\u2019s attention is squared fully towards nailing fourth spot in the league - a position currently occupied by Saturday\u2019s opponents St Mirren.<\/p><p>We travel to Rugby Park a point ahead of Killie in fifth, knowing that three points would not only all but seal a top-six finish, but put us in the driving seat for a European spot. For this to happen, however, Stephen Robinson must pull off something St Mirren have managed just three times in 35 games, and better a Derek McInnes side.<\/p><p>Robinson\u2019s time at St Mirren, however, has grown to be defined by accomplishments the numbers say we shouldn\u2019t. With last-minute celebrations vs Aberdeen still ringing in our ears, we go to East Ayrshire full of confidence in pulling off another crucial win.<\/p><p><\/p><h3><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/fxqftxfi5pxstbu7qywtgzqzw5x3phkdigusiybrsqeg9mab.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"fxqftxfi5pxstbu7qywtgzqzw5x3phkdigusiybrsqeg9mab.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>Take Twa<\/h3><p>In 1985, DEA agent Kiki Camarena was captured by Guadalajara cartel members, tortured and killed\u2014an unprecedented and shockingly violent murder of a US government agent on foreign soil. The US met Camarena\u2019s death with a ferocity that was felt across the Latin American narco world. Kiki became a martyr, essentially rendering all other agents posted on the continent untouchable.<\/p><p>Aberdeen are looking for a new manager. As you'd expect, Stephen Robinson is a name that has been mentioned. However, with the recent Kiki-ing of former Saints manager Jim Goodwin up in Pittodrie, I would say it\u2019s unlikely that our current gaffer will travel the same path anytime soon.<\/p><p><\/p><h3><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/lwgf3sfbjv6u04jv4efsol2qizoat5dpmdkzn9cxff4tjdmf.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"lwgf3sfbjv6u04jv4efsol2qizoat5dpmdkzn9cxff4tjdmf.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>Dane the Business<\/h3><p>Hummel is synonymous with football, with the Danish giants producing some of the coolest and most stylish kits the game has seen.<\/p><p>The brand featured a bit of a resurgence in the 2000s, with many of their classic designs brought forward for new audiences. Among those teams adorned with the historic bee logo was St Mirren, who enjoyed four seasons under the manufacturer from 2007-2011.<\/p><p>Seminal chevron met black and white stripe in a way that evaporated every penny 20-year-old me hadn\u2019t already poured into the student union. We enjoyed some famous days (such as this <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/stmirrenretro\/status\/1765701946785083466\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>victory over Celtic<\/u><\/a> 14 years ago this week) and saw some iconic Saints sides turn out in these kits.<\/p><p>Nostalgia is one of football\u2019s key cultural commodities, and these Hummel kits are experiencing a present-day reappraisal amongst Saints fans - many of whom consider them to be modern classics. You only have to look at the design of this year\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stmirren.com\/fans-news\/4998-introducing-our-connected-home-kit-2023-24\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>home shirt<\/u><\/a>  to see the lasting impact of that time period.<\/p><p>Just lovely. Four outstanding years in Saints kit history.<\/p><p><\/p><h3><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/22irrysimdceoraxhenavliaq0sjtjhqpa6x1kosbgpnyx0r.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"22irrysimdceoraxhenavliaq0sjtjhqpa6x1kosbgpnyx0r.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>Exit Through the Grift Shop<\/h3><p>He came. He saw. He learned - at an absolute max - three of his team\u2019s names. He <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/sport\/football\/neil-warnock-woke-up-screaming-32298602\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>woke up screaming<\/u><\/a> in the middle of the night because of St Mirren.<\/p><p>In a bit, Neil.<\/p><p><\/p><h3><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/yi83go5q0wkltykpnyt0r96bnji7nyhpe5jvfpdddwb2ugij.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"yi83go5q0wkltykpnyt0r96bnji7nyhpe5jvfpdddwb2ugij.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>Taylor-made<\/h3><p>Although Ballymena Utd lost 4-2 in their NIFL Premiership tie with Crusaders, St Mirren fans were buoyed to see an absolute peach of a goal from loanee Fraser Taylor.<\/p><p>With the score at 1-1, Taylor picks up a loose ball on the corner of the Crusaders box. With a drop of the shoulder, the midfielder buys himself the space to curl a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/saintmirrenfc\/status\/1766562610105790786\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>wicked strike<\/u><\/a> past Jonathan Tuffey in the visitor\u2019s goal.<\/p><p>This impetuous finish follows on from a Messi-esque <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BBCSPORTNI\/status\/1741161922991386762\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>run and finish<\/u><\/a> back in December, causing many in Paisley to wonder if Taylor could be the real deal.<\/p><p>At just 21 years old his chance in Paisley will come. If his time in Northern Ireland is anything to go by, he has everything needed to grasp that chance with both hands.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p>","urlTitle":"the-back-five-8","url":"\/blog\/the-back-five-8\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/the-back-five-8\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/miseryhunters.co.uk\/blog\/the-back-five-8\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1710089247,"updatedAt":1710174197,"publishedAt":1710174197,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":106606,"name":"Misery Hunters"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/trbqlmczribfrmz80djvzcyeopdmmr4tzvcvvto2b7brvt3x.png","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/trbqlmczribfrmz80djvzcyeopdmmr4tzvcvvto2b7brvt3x.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/trbqlmczribfrmz80djvzcyeopdmmr4tzvcvvto2b7brvt3x.png.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. 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Conversely, Jim Goodwin\u2019s Saints side were looking to arrest a period of poor form that has seen us without a win since October 16th \u2013 also nine games ago","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5paskjywyqwskvxtrjmwjotrcrii7a7rzcy7pkat5enqfekr.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/5paskjywyqwskvxtrjmwjotrcrii7a7rzcy7pkat5enqfekr.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":17026,"title":"Connor Roll","url":"\/blog\/connor-roll\/","urlTitle":"connor-roll","division":106606,"description":"A massive week for St Mirren\u2019s season kicked off \u2013 as great tales so rarely do \u2013 in Dundee last Wednesday evening.  Stephen Robinson took his Saints side to Dens buoyed by the return of creative fulcrum Connor Ronan to the squad following his suspension. It was the 24-year-old who would prove to be the difference, his dramatic 93rd minute winner - a fine diving header from an inch-perfect Jay Henderson cross \u2013 sending the travelling fans wild and keeping Saints\u2019 top six dream aliveWhile the 1-0 win was far from a classic, the performance was slightly closer to how Robinson has talked of wanting his side to play","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/2dgzuiqxl5ezaaflq1l8c7bxfxk19arzzwpp5mk12vg186jo.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/2dgzuiqxl5ezaaflq1l8c7bxfxk19arzzwpp5mk12vg186jo.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}