The blunt reality of St Mirren's top six fixture list laid bare

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When St Mirren secured a second successive finish in the top six there was understandable celebration of an achievement that had previously agonisingly slipped through our fingers.

I'm sure you'll all agree there has been far too much optimism this season and the overall success on the pitch has left supporters severely craving the perfect cocktail of pessimism and misery.

I'm being flippant of course, well, mostly.

The top half finish - regardless of a torturous recent few results - has been richly deserved despite what any supporter of another club might claim.

Over the piece, St Mirren have been one of the better clubs in the country, that's not opinion, that's fact.

However, on current form it has been quite the opposite with just four points picked up in the last five matches - ranking Stephen Robinson's side 11th in the form book.

Worryingly, while the top half brings obvious excitement over a possible European adventure - it also demands clubs in the top six achieve results against each other.

That's not something St Mirren have been all that successful at this season. A glance back over the season shows just ten points were picked up from the 15 matches against the other five clubs in the top half.

Put simply, to achieve fifth - or have an outside shot at fourth which is increasingly unlikely - that has to change.

Compare that with Kilmarnock and the widening points deficit between the clubs in the league standings is explained.

Derek McInnes' side have taken 19 points from matches against clubs in the top six - and you certainly wouldn't bet against that number rising in the post-split fixtures.

Dundee, too, showed their standard to claim a goalless draw with Rangers in midweek - even if they too only have ten points against the top-half clubs this season.

All that to say, against St Mirren's closest competition it hasn't been successful and paints a concerning picture as the business end of the season approaches.

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Throw into the mix that nine of the ten points against top-six clubs came at home and there is little solace.

Miserable yet? No? Good, there's more.

Of the three home matches in the split - Rangers, Kilmarnock and Hearts - we've won just once against those clubs under the same circumstances of the match being played in Paisley (1-0 against Hearts in September). The other five? All defeats.

If your palm isn't stretched across your brow in despair and anxiety yet then consider the most important fixture of the split against Dundee at Dens Park.

There is some ground for optimism in the fact St Mirren have taken six points against Tony Docherty's side. The small factor that they all came in Paisley with a comprehensive 4-0 defeat the outcome on the only trip to Dundee this term - well, that's less inspiring.

For fullness, St Mirren haven't collected anything against Celtic this term despite a number of decent showings at Parkhead and Paisley.

The facts laid bare really don't make for great reading.

Fortunately, to pinch the cliche, football isn't played on paper or results decided by a spreadsheet of probability.

And it might just be that Robinson can find some motivation in righting the wrongs against the top clubs this season.

There is absolutely no doubt that this St Mirren squad is capable of better results against their fellow top-six clubs - Kilmarnock, Dundee and Hearts in particular.

In the changing room, St Mirren have real quality and in the dugout they have a switched-on manager who has consistently delivered success.

Sure, it's a significant challenge but it's one supporters have desperately craved for so long.

As valid as earlier results are as evidence, that's perhaps too granular.

This group of staff and players have the chance to achieve something special and I'd not be the least surprised if they do it in typical St Mirren fashion with a few surprises along the way.

Bin the stats, dump out that aforementioned pessimism smoothie and pick up your scarf ahead of some decisive fixtures.

There's plenty reason for optimism and excitement - amongst the inevitable moments of despair - and long may it continue.