Stephen Robinson insists he won’t be afraid to wield the axe as he aims to build a St Mirren squad capable of becoming top six mainstays.
The Buddies boss is already working overtime on recruitment plans as he looks to mould the Paisley side into one capable of implementing his own style on the pitch.
He revealed he has already had difficult conversations with some players who were expecting a new deal but have now been told they are surplus to requirements.
And the determined manager pointed to tough decisions he made on calling time on some Motherwell fan favourites while in charge at Fir Park as proof he won’t be sentimental when it comes to handing out new contracts.
Speaking exclusively to Renfrewshire Live Sport, Robinson said: “It’s been a difficult balancing act so far in that we’re trying to put our stamp on things, while also not trying to change too much.
“Managers recruit players to play their way. Jim Goodwin had done that here for several years and it’s very difficult when you come into a team and they’re not your players.
“We have players coming to the end of their contract here and there are some boys who thought they were getting a new deal, but I’ve had to tell them they aren’t getting one.
“There are also a couple who have turned down a new deal as it stands.
“At the end of the day I’m trying to build a squad capable of regularly being in the top six.
“We have no divine right to do that because the club hasn’t managed it once for a number of years. If the squad had been strong enough they’d have been in the top six already.
“It’s come close but, for me, close isn’t good enough. We need to recruit well and make tough decisions.
“I’ve had to make tough decisions before at Motherwell, over the likes of James McFadden and Keith Lasley. It’s tough when they’re so loved by the fans, but you have to do what’s right for the club.
“We have to make ruthless decisions to ensure we’re as strong as we possibly can be going forward.”
Motherwell midfielder Mark O’Hara is understood to have become the first signing of the Robinson era after he reportedly agreed to join the Buddies on a pre-contract deal.
While refusing to confirm the signing while the 26-year-old is still contracted to Motherwell, Robinson is adamant he will only bring players to Paisley who are capable of adapting to his brand of football.
He added: “I won’t speak about players at other clubs because I think that’s disrespectful to both them and the club they’re still contracted to.
“It’s been a tricky start for us, but the set up here is superb and while our short-term goal is still getting into the top six this season the medium-term target is getting the squad right.
“We’ve already got a few signings in the bag and we’ll keep working hard to keep adding more quality to the squad.
“We’ve also got about five or six young players out on loan too who will likely be more involved too next season, because the squad is very thin at the moment and I want us to develop our own young talented players.”
