The gamble on continuity that nobody asked for

St Mirren’s decision to keep Craig McLeish at the helm after their play-off survival is a masterclass in risk aversion. Supporters who watched the side struggle through a tepid Premiership campaign wanted a surgical reset. Instead, the board opted for the stability of a coach who barely kept the ship afloat.

Survival is not an achievement when you spend the final month balancing on a knife-edge. The play-off drama was not a sign of tactical versatility but a failure of earlier recruitment and preparation. Sticking with the architect of that struggle does not suggest growth; it signals an acceptance of mediocrity.

The squad lacks the bite needed for next term

Recruitment needs to move beyond low-risk, low-reward signings. The current Scottish Premiership landscape—no, let's call it the actual league environment—demands either high-intensity pressing or a well-drilled low block. St Mirren operated in neither zone effectively last year.

McLeish needs to demonstrate he can coach an out-of-possession structure that doesn't invite constant pressure from the opposition midfield. Watching the side attempt to play out from the back against superior pressing units was painful. They conceded 57 goals in the regular season, a leakiness that will be punished ruthlessly if not addressed by August.

Why this won't end well for the board

The honeymoon period for this retention will end the moment the whistle blows for the opening day. When you finish in a position that requires a play-off reprieve, the manager’s seat should be a revolving door. By choosing to stay, the board has tied their personal reputation to McLeish’s next ten matches.

If the results don't improve, the vitriol from the stands will be immediate and justified. Management often confuses tenure with loyalty. In modern football, real loyalty is delivering results that prevent the fan base from needing heart medication in the final week of May.

My prediction for the opening month

I am calling it now: McLeish will be under immense pressure by the time the first international break arrives in September. You cannot ignore the statistical warning signs of a team that relied entirely on individual moments to escape danger. I expect a bottom-three finish unless a significant shift in defensive personnel occurs before the transfer window closes.