Jack Ross believes that Queen of the South will be a somewhat different proposition to the side that Saints beat last month following the Doonhamers early business in the transfer market.
However, while Queens have brought three new faces into the squad so far, the manager says that his team's preparation has been extensive and they are ready to face the challenge in front of them.
They'll be a little bit of an unknown because they've brought in a couple of new players this week, albeit Joe Thomson has played against us for Dumbarton this season, so that will make things a little bit different. But our preparation has been as thorough as it can be so I don't think it'll be hugely different just that slight difference in personnel and we've got to make sure we're prepared for that as well.
With St Mirren facing three of their nearest rivals in the coming weeks Jack is adamant that every game Saints go into is hugely significant and continues to take a one game at a time approach.
Though the manager is pleased that the team have lost only one of its last five matches and maintains that if they can keep that run of form up, while turning draws into wins, then it will give the Buddies a good chance to lift themselves off the foot of the table.
We only look at the one that lies ahead of us," he admitted. "In terms of importance every game we play until the end of the season is massively important. Our form has been okay, it could be better but it's okay. But other teams in the bottom half of the table have been on good runs of form as well.
If we can replicate the types of results and performances over the last five games then it will give us a points total that will give us a good opportunity. It's probably been lost a little with the frustration of the draws, but it's a starting point."
Jack stressed that he and assistant manager James Fowler have been working round the clock in a bid to freshen up the squad, but confessed they've been left frustrated at deals that haven't managed to work out. However, he is adamant that they will get players in sooner rather than later.
James and I have worked tirelessly on it pre-window and since the window has opened. We've spoken to players, watched a lot of footage, been at games and it's been very frustrating so far. We had a deal done for a defender that fell through and I had hoped to have an attacking player in before this weekend and that may not happen now.
"We will freshen it up, I'm absolutely certain we will," he continued. "But we need to make sure it's the right ones in the right areas for us."
One deal that was completed this week was the signing of midfielder Craig Storie who will join the club on loan from Aberdeen on Monday.
I'm pleased because he is someone I had identified quite early," said Jack. "I think last Saturday showed we needed another midfielder with Kyle [Magennis] and Rocco [Quinn] picking up knocks in the game.
"He's a good player and he has a technical and aggressive side to his game. He's hungry to come and do well and I'm hoping that hunger will be evident from day one."
