Source: FOOTYMAD
Still A Long Way To Go
The Buddies have made a good start but Danny Lennon knows there is a long programme ahead Danny Lennon knows the fans expectations will be heavy on the shoulders of his players after last week's performance against Aberdeen when they face Dundee United. Saint Mirren drew huge plaudits for their stylish display in their 1-0 win over the Dons last Saturday with Nigel Hasselbaink's well-worked goal scant reward for their dominance. The Paisley side also impressed at Dunfermline in a goalless start to the SPL season and put their new-found confidence to the test against Dundee United at Tannadice today. The let down after the buzz of the performance has meant Lennon has been anxious since last Saturday evening. He said: "Last week I really enjoyed it but 20 minutes after the game I could feel myself flat again, because you have got to go and repeat that. And that's us not even really scratched the surface yet on a lot of things. You want to go and do it again and again and again and even make it better. That's what we will continue to do. I have a great group of staff and players, the way they have built a togetherness so quickly." Lennon was keen to keep his players feet on the ground at this early stage in the season but he is not seriously worried about his players getting ahead of themselves. He said: "It's not a challenge. I've got a group of guys who are very level-headed. We know where we want to be and they are setting very good standards. I just want them to concentrate. Yes, they need to be clapped on the back, but there are another 36 games. Last week I really enjoyed the performances and it has pleasantly surprised me how far they have come in a short space of time and how quickly they have grasped it, but that's what good players do." St Mirren face a United side without last season's top goalscorer, David Goodwillie, who signed for Blackburn on Wednesday. But Goodwillie was left out of the side for Sunday's 1-0 win over Hearts after Blackburn had their £2million-plus bid accepted and they have a promising replacement in Johnny Russell, who has impressed out of position in a wide role since breaking through. United boss Peter Houston has also lost the likes of Prince Buaben, Morgaro Gomis and Craig Conway this summer but Lennon believes his side are in for a challenging encounter. Lennon went on: "It shows you the type of quality players that they have that clubs are willing to go out there and pay top dollar for them. As a consequence of their own success, a lot of players have departed to bigger clubs - Cardiff, Watford, Birmingham, Blackburn. United have lost a lot of their first-team players from last season but there is a new group to come in there and they will show that they're worthy to fill these boots, the boy Russell in particular. He was through the middle when I watched them last week and I was very impressed with them. Peter is always well organised and has good individuals."
