Jim Goodwin’s St Mirren side picked up their first Premiership point since August as the Buddies drew 0-0 at home to Dundee United on Friday night.
Saints have had a month away from competitive football after a resurgence of COVID-19 within the squad but Goodwin’s players looked nothing like a side that were propping up the table.
Speaking after the final whistle, the Buddies manager was full of praise for his team: “I thought the overall performance was excellent, all that was missing was the goal. We’ve had more attempts than in games gone by but unfortunately we’ve not been able to work the goalkeeper.
“There’s so many positives – a first clean sheet in a long, long time, which considering most of the lads haven’t been able to train or do anything for two to three weeks, I couldn’t be any more pleased with the outcome. To put a stop to that poor run of defeats we were on was important.”
In the dying minutes of the game St Mirren looked to be denied a clear penalty after Junior Morias hit the deck inside the penalty area and at the time Goodwin was incensed at the decision not to award a spot kick. But after speaking to his staff, he has changed his mind.
Goodwin said: “I thought at the time I thought it was a penalty, but I have spoken to the analyst and by all accounts there was a touch on the ball by the player, so well done the referee.”
What began as a clear night in Paisley turned into a foggy nightmare for both teams. As the players emerged for the second half the fog rolled in and drastically reduced visibility levels. With the ball becoming harder to spot with each minute that passed by the Saints manager had fears of the game being abandoned.
Goodwin spoke to the officials to check if the game would be halted: “It was getting close. The referee came over and said it was touch and go if it got any worse. I was glad we were able to complete the game.
“I don’t think there was a need to call it off. It was a hard-fought game between two decent teams. Dundee United are a well organised side that don’t give a lot away. From our point of view, it’s a decent point and a step in the right direction.”
St Mirren head into the international break sitting 11th in the Premiership and have three games in hand over 10th placed Livingston. It will be a difficult task for the Buddies to climb the table but Goodwin believes his players can do it.
He said: “It gives us great hope. I have said from day one if we can keep everyone fit and healthy then we have as good a squad as anyone in the league outside the top four. Unfortunately, in the last eight, nine, 10 weeks we have had one thing after another which has been well-documented.
“But I think you see tonight the squad of players I have to choose from and the strength in depth on the bench that will hopefully make a huge difference for us going forward. I’m very pleased with the performance. it gives us something to build from.”