It may well do. We have seen in the past that this side performs to the best of its ability when motivated by adversity. Perhaps now that we have hit rock bottom, the players will realise they need to play with the passion and commitment that typified our early games. For whatever reason, the tackles are not flying in with the same frequency and ferocity and we need to get this back if we are to move up the table.
The Thistle game highlighted exactly what our problems are. We did not create enough guilt edged chances and despite making a number of half opportunities, we could have played all day and not scored. We are not doing any better at the other end of the pitch either. Partick Thistle have struggled to score all season but we gifted them two goals and they could easily have had more. Poor collective defending and individual mistakes are costing us dearly. We need start keeping clean sheets by whatever means and then turn our thoughts to actually scoring ourselves.
The one real positive on the park from Firhill was David Cowan. Dougie Ramsay has not done a bad job this season but Cowan looks very comfortable at right wing back. He is also willing to fly forward and appears more self-assured in his position than Ramsay does.
The game against Aberdeen gives us the perfect opportunity to enjoy a match again. A loss is not the end of the world but a win may kick start our season. A poor performance will not harm our league position any further, a thought that should ease the burden on a lot of shoulders.
Dirk Lehmann and Stephen Pearson appear to be returning to full fitness and Scott Leitch’s suspension means more changes will need to be made for the Kilmarnock game. We might as well try something different, we need to find a catalyst from somewhere.
We are in trouble now but we have been in worst situations and survived. Get right behind the team – they need you now!