The Present - Alarm Bells Deafening

St Johnstone and their manager, Simo Valakari, are in a dire situation. Currently at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, they are six points adrift with only nine points left to play for. A win against Ross County this Saturday is crucial.

Valakari's team has lost their last four consecutive matches. Their only two league victories in the past three months came in a surprising rally against champions Celtic. This inconsistency is not new; St Johnstone has been in the bottom two for 160 days this season.

Looking ahead, even if St Johnstone wins against County, their best hope is 11th place, provided Dundee avoids defeat at Kilmarnock.

The History - Cause for Hope or Panic?

St Johnstone's struggles this season are significant, but they are not unprecedented. Since 1999, only five teams have escaped relegation from the bottom with three games left. Notably, in 2005, Dunfermline Athletic overturned a three-point deficit, and in 2009, Falkirk clawed back a four-point gap.

St Johnstone's current points tally of 29 is relatively high for a bottom-placed team, but their rivals are also performing above average. This season, they have taken seven points from nine against County and four against Dundee, offering a glimmer of hope.

The Reality - 'No One is Safe'

Manager Simo Valakari acknowledges the precarious situation, stating that everyone's job, including his own, is on the line. Relegation would end St Johnstone's 16-year stay in the top flight, a significant financial blow.

Valakari remains in constant communication with the club's owners, who are understandably unhappy with the results. However, they recognize the broader circumstances and the process behind the team's performance.

Conclusion

St Johnstone's fate hangs in the balance. While history offers some hope, the reality is stark. The coming matches will determine whether they can pull off a miraculous escape or face the inevitable drop.

For more updates, visit our St Johnstone page and get the latest news and analysis.