Tipped for drop but sitting top - St Mirren defying expectations
St Mirren has started the Scottish Premiership season with two consecutive wins and clean sheets, defying low expectations following a difficult previous campaign. Manager Craig McLeish is using the motivation from last year's relegation play-off to drive the team's current performance.
Why it matters
The team's early success demonstrates the impact of psychological motivation and tactical discipline in professional sports turnarounds.
The start of a new season offers the chance to reset and St Mirren are taking full advantage. They are top of the table after two opening Scottish Premiership wins having defeated Falkirk and now St Johnstone without conceding.
It is in stark contrast to last term, when the Paisley side flirted with relegation, coming through a play-off to retain their top-flight status.
Off the back of that, there seemed little confidence among supporters and observers ahead of this campaign that a new dawn and return to the punching-above-their-weight campaigns of Stephen Robinson's tenure would be forthcoming.
It is very early days, of course, but the signs are St Mirren have regained many of the elements that have made them a real force in recent times.
Craig McLeish is in his first full season in charge [SNS]
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