Stephen Robinson's strong St Mirren message as he leans on tough people adage amid results slump

The Buddies manager is keeping a cool head on the back of three straight defeats and believes the corner will be turned.

Stephen Robinson insists there is no panic in Paisley as his Buddies bid to rediscover their stunning early-season form.

The St Mirren gaffer is embracing the challenge of reversing fortunes after his side slumped to a third straight loss on Wednesday night at St Johnstone.

Ross County are the visitors to the SMiSA on Saturday with the Buddies looking to defend fourth place in the Premiership table and avenge last midweek’s defeat to the Staggies in Dingwall.

And Robinson has given an insight into how he now handles difficult periods as a manager – leaning on the old adage that tough times don’t last but tough people do.

Speaking at the club’s Ralston training base, he said: “I’m experienced enough not to panic. Everything doesn’t need to be ripped up – it’s the same group of players. Some have lost a little bit of form, of course, but others are champing at the bit to get in the team.

“[I don’t] listen to any of the outside noise. We’re a small club with a plan which is to develop players we bring in from elsewhere at the age of 22/23 and trying to create an environment where they can thrive.

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“So, you don’t just suddenly rip up the script when you’re on a run like this. You don’t start from scratch again. Everything isn’t rubbish and everything doesn’t need to change.

“One thing I’ve learned since I was a younger manager is not to panic. I’ve learned to stay relatively calm because the players look to me for my reaction.

“I have a group of boys I don’t need to whip because they give absolutely everything. I think that calmness comes with maturity and experience, although my missus might not agree with that!”

Robbo continued: “If we’d accumulated the points total we currently have by winning a few and losing a few then we’d be saying what a brilliant season we’re having. The way it’s gone, though, we’ve had a brilliant start and now it’s not so brilliant any longer.

“Results dictate everybody’s emotions but we still have a real belief in our players. I told them earlier that we’d have a tricky spell at some stage and it’s all about what you can do during that bad run.

“Our home record’s been fantastic so we go into the Ross County game full of belief – that confidence hasn’t been lost. We’re being punished for small mistakes but we have to improve. Our biggest downfall has not been killing teams off when we’ve been on top.

“It’s just one disappointing three-week period. These lads haven’t become bad players during that time and we’re still very much on track to become a top-six side again.

“Listen, this isn’t a surprise to me. I said back when people were putting us on a pedestal and saying that we’d finish third that you always have a dip in form and a period where things go against you. You just need to work harder at the things you do well.”

On the personnel front, Ryan Flynn is out for at least a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury while Australian international Ryan Strain has had surgery on a groin problem.

Richard Taylor (ankle) is expected to be back to face County with Scott Tanser feeling better after coming off at half-time against the Perth Saints.

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