SPL Report Card - St. Mirren

The League Cup triumph was all that mattered

MARKS OUT OF 10: 7

LEAGUE:11th, 41 points (2011-12 - 8th, 43 points)

SCOTTISH CUP: Quarter finals
LEAGUE CUP: Winners

MOST USED FIRST XI: Craig Samson, David Van Zanten, Lee Mair, Marc McAusland, Paul Dummett, Gary Teale, Jim Goodwin, Kenny McLean, Conor Newton, Paul McGowan, Steven Thompson

OVERVIEW: St. Mirren and their supporters stopped caring about their league placing long ago, having instead chosen to revel in their glorious League Cup triumph. Their excellent run in that competition only partly excuses their struggles on SPL duty though, with only three wins in that competition in 2013. Was their cup win a sign that things are going in the right direction, or does it just cover up the deficiencies of Danny Lennon's side? The jury is still out.

HIGH POINTS: That 3-2 win over Hearts at Hampden will go down as one of the greatest days in the club's history. The manner of the victory, and the quality of the goals scored, was laudable. Upsetting Celtic in the semi final must have felt pretty terrific too.

LOW POINTS: The nadir of their season was probably getting turned over 4-1 at home to Ross County in January. Altogether, the Buddies conceded 4 goals on three occasions at St. Mirren Park, and 5 goals to Celtic as well.

STAR MAN: Steven 'Thommohawk' Thompson continues to enjoy a bit of an Indian summer; the veteran striker led the line well and came up with 16 goals, including a crucial one in the League Cup Final. He used the word 'cathartic' in a post-match interview too, which makes him the most eloquent man in Scottish football by a distance.

ONE FOR THE FUTURE: Midfielder John McGinn made his first team debut in October and has rarely been out of it since.  The younger brother of former Buddie Stephen McGinn, he may well go on to better things than his older sibling.

WASTE OF SPACE: Sam Parkin is, if you like, the backup Thommohawk, but is a massive drop off in quality. Not only that, but his inclusion in the side seems to lead to his teammates resorting to playing hoofball. It's no surprise that he's been let go.

THE BOSS: Under Danny Lennon, St. Mirren's league finishes have been eleventh, eighth and now eleventh again. He's picked up plenty of plaudits for his insistence on a passing game, but I have to admit that, apart from the League Cup Final, St. Mirren seemed to be quite direct on the occasions I saw them play. He exploited the loan market well, but his other signings from last summer made minimal impact. Despite picking up a trophy, Lennon is likely to be one of the favourites in next season's 'sack race'.

PROSPECTS FOR NEXT SEASON? Lennon is going to have to do a lot of wheeling and dealing this summer. The departures of Scotland squad keeper Craig Samson and highly rated creator Paul McGowan seem certain, while they may not get loanees Paul Dummett, Conor Newton and Esmael Goncalves back. Kenny McLean will attract attention too. Can veterans Steven Thompson and Gary Teale produce at a high level for another year? It will be a surprise if the Buddies aren't in a fight just to hold on to their top flight status next season, especially if eleventh place results in a playoff.

FIRST TEAMERS DEFINITELY LEAVING: Graham Carey, Paul Dummett (end of loan), Esmael Goncalves (end of loan), Conor Newton (end of loan), Sam Parkin, Sander Puri, Craig Samson (signed for Kilmarnock), Chris Smith

NOT IN THE MANAGER'S PLANS: Grant Adam, Lewis Guy, Dougie Imrie, Lee Mair

UNLIKELY TO SIGN NEW DEALS: Paul McGowan

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