Is it too early to stop the count now?
After a disappointing couple of opening Premiership results, the Buddies have hit form and picked up maximum points in their last three matches.
Stephen Robinson’s counter-attacking outfit currently sit in the very position they’re targeting come the split this season - that elusive sixth spot that Saints managers in the last few decades simply haven’t been able to secure.
Jim Goodwin came closer than any have in recent times, but he still couldn’t quite force his defensive sides over the line when it mattered most.
Unfortunately, for Robinson, there’s still a hell of a long way to go before the final split standings are confirmed.
But there’s plenty of reasons for the St Mirren faithful to feel like finally this could be the year they smash their way into the top half of the table.
With the transfer window slamming shut last night, at the time of writing this column the club’s recruitment over the summer has already been the best I’ve witnessed in my three and a bit years covering the club.
The number of international quality players coming in through the doors has been seriously impressive.
Declan Gallagher, Trevor Carson and Alex Gogic are all serious operators who have already shown what they can bring to the club since linking up with their new teammates.
You wouldn’t bet against the Aussie duo of Ryan Strain and Keanu Baccus following suit shortly to become fully fledged internationals themselves. Their link-up play for the vital goal against Hibs shows they’ve got the talent to shine in the Scottish Premiership.
And while Baccus’ finishing was well below par last weekend, his performances overall have been anything but.
As the season progresses, there’s every chance they’re going to get stronger too as they fully adapt to the Scottish game.
Powerful striker Jonah Ayunga has serious potential up front. If he can add the goals he fired in the Premier Sports Cup to his game in the Premiership, he’ll be another strong addition, with Eamonn Brophy returning from injury also feeling like a new signing.
Midfield general Mark O’Hara has also brought a calmness and drive to the middle of the park that had been missing last season.
So far, Toyosi Olusanya is the only recruit yet to fully prove his worth, but it’s a long old season and, hopefully, he too will begin to show the kind of exciting wing play that enticed Middlesbrough to take a punt on him when he returns from injury.
As Keith Lasley told us this week, St Mirren’s start to the campaign could, and arguably should, have been even better.
How ten-man Motherwell escaped the SMISA Stadium with three points on the opening day of the season still remains a mystery. The Buddies battered the Steelmen for the whole 90 minutes, but simply couldn’t find a way past an inspired Liam Kelly.
If they’d picked up all three points in that fixture, the Paisley side would have been sitting in third heading into tomorrow’s trip to Perth.
Given this is a fairly new side still coming to grips with the demands of Robinson and his new system, that’s pretty impressive going.
While other teams have strengthened over the summer as well, it’s clear the Buddies have put together a squad capable of making a serious charge for the top six this season.
A win in the battle of the Saints tomorrow to maintain their spot in the top half would firmly underline that point.
