Our 8 fixtures have yielded 9 points and, with the help of a better goal advantage, sixth place. That rate of return, if maintained until the end of the season, would deliver 43 points and ensure our status as a top league team was extended for another year.
The record to date is
Kilmarnock (a) W
St Johnstone (h) L
Rangers (a) L
Dundee (h) D
Ross County (a) D
Hamilton (h) W
Partick Thistle (a) D
Hearts (h) L
The WLLDWDL list will be followed by the upcoming fixtures against Celtic, Aberdeen (awaiting a rearranged date), and Inverness that will complete the first round of the campaign. If we hold on to our top half place after that lot we'll be doing well.
Had we managed a win against Hearts last Friday an objective view would be that we had a decent opening run. A fine save from the opposition 'keeper and a moment's madness just before the break turned the game. Fine margins determine the outcomes of many games.
The early signs suggest that we should avoid the end of season trauma that comes with a place in the bottom two (surely a couple from Partick, Kilmanock Hamilton and Dundee will finish below us?).
Can we retain the ‘three up’ strategy that seems to have become our standard formation? A few years ago we made good use of Higdon’s defensive strength at set pieces. That was an appropriate use of the striker’s height and strength and often drew praise from his manager.
But now we see the disconcerting sight of McDonald and Moult making their contribution at either end of the pitch. It is a credit to their work ethic that they cover so much ground but the sight of those two making vital challenges anywhere near our goal does nothing to inspire confidence. The needless free kick that was conceded by Moult ten yards from the dead ball line started the trail of mistakes that led to the Hearts goal.
A change in formation must be likely for the trip to Parkhead!