‘FEBRILE’ could likely be one word used to describe the Pittodrie atmosphere on Wednesday when St Mirren come calling. As could ‘irate’, ‘incensed’, or ‘enraged’.
In many ways, this might be the perfect time for the Saints to play Aberdeen, with an angry home support demanding answers and some sign of life from their team, which looks increasingly thankful for the existence of Ross County, Motherwell, and Kilmarnock.
At least that’s what Curtis Main is gearing up for. A man who knows only too well how easily the Dons support can vent its frustration, the Englishman expects hostile surroundings, even without Jim Goodwin in the dugout.
“It’s just another game,” he said, when asked if there will be any extra motivation against his erstwhile employer. “I’m not the sentimental type. I just saw their result; I enjoyed working under Jim and it’s disappointing.
“You don’t like seeing people sacked, especially in the manner it’s unfolded.
“I am sure he will pick himself back up. He’s a strong character himself so he will dust himself down, try and assess what’s happened there and will improve for that as a manager.
“It’s not easy going there anyway, the atmosphere won’t be the most enjoyable up there at the moment.
“The home players are certainly going to feel it. I’ve been up there and played there, I know what that’s like.
“We’ve just got to go up there and implement what we do, not worry about that, let them deal with that.
“We will deal with ourselves and be ready to go. We are going to try and capitalise and take all three points.
“We are confident in our aim for the season, cementing our top-six aspirations.
“That’s a game we’re looking for three points from.”
St Mirren will have every chance of doing just that if Main can continue showing the fine form he has this season. Goals might not be his forte - his winner against Motherwell on Saturday was only his fourth of the season - but he’s always been a player best described as a ‘handful’.
Often the spearhead that leads Alex Greive, Greg Kiltie and Mark O’Hara into battle, by his own metric he’s playing the best he has since his first season in North Lanarkshire.
“This is probably my best form in this league since my first year up here,” the 30-year-old said. “Played some of the best football I’ve played and it probably comes back down to consistency.
“Obviously, I played consistently at Motherwell, did well. Moved up to Aberdeen, the only difference was not playing, I was in and out.
“Then come back down here and after a tricky first season in terms of injury, I’m back in consistently playing and training.
“The performances are taking care of themselves. The thing throughout is being selected all the time.’
He added: “I don’t lose confidence. I am well aware what I’m capable of doing.
“It’s just about getting the opportunities to do it. You can get frustrated sometimes if things are not going your way but I’ve always been someone who tries to work even harder if things aren’t going my way.”
For St Mirren’s sake, they’ll need to hope he continues in such fine fettle. Not least because he’s pretty much all they’ve got - at the time of writing - to lead the line, following the departure of Eamonn Brophy
“I’m a little bit surprised to be honest (at Brophy leaving),” Main said. “The gaffer has touched on that in terms of decisions being made for the overall football club.
“I won’t go into that but I’m pleased that I’m playing good football, feeling good and we’ve still got a competitive squad.”
Meanwhile, Liam Kelly, the Motherwell captain, cut a frustrated figure in the wake of Main’s winner. That took it to nine matches without a win for the Steelmen, stretching all the way back to October.
“It’s the same story again,” he said. “We didn’t give much again. What we did give away, we managed to concede from. We had plenty of possession but we weren’t good enough in either box.
“They didn’t create much but what they did create, they scored, and we didn’t. That’s been the story of our season.”
All being well, Motherwell will at least be able to call on the services of Riku Danzaki for their crucial game against St Johnstone on Wednesday. The Japanese attacker missed out on their latest loss due to issues around finalising his transfer, but manager Stevie Hammell was sure all would be in place.
When asked if he had seen any of Danzaki, Kelly said: “Just clips on the videos and YouTube. He seems a really nice man, full of energy. We are hoping he can give us a spark. He can bring the energy and a positive attitude to the pitch.
“We need help and he can provide it.”
