We might have fluked it if we beat Sevco tomorrow but now it's too late for that after today's results.
However, over the season so far, we did not deserve to finish in the top six - neither this nor last season.
And it's anyone's guess what difference it would have made if Goodwin had stayed with the other team in the all red strip.
Our midfield and attack was no worse today than in the days of Goodwin - although that's not saying a lot.
What was significantly poorer was our defence, which previously was our strength.
IF we had won that today we would have been sitting 5th instead of Motherwell.
Our defence let us down today.
Unlike some on here, I thought Erhahon was one of our better players today.
I was not specifically having a dig at Tait - we were weak defensively on both flanks.
However, the team gave 100% effort. Both full backs are reasonable going forward but less so defensively.
We were weak defensively on our left flank and that is what cost us the match.
On the other hand, it could be argued that Hearts wide men were their main strength - as well as their overall ability to keep possession and run into space - that is something we must aspire to improve upon.
For it is our biggest failing.
I fully concur with your second paragraph.
The 80s showed some of our potential as a club in terms of performance and support.
But then, if you build a dinky little stadium, as we did, you can then expect a dinky little support.
And I agree with you.
My concern is, if he had come back to St Mirren, would he have been as motivated as before.
And I can see why he wouldn't have been.
I said a few days ago that I doubted that Jack Ross' pride (and pocket) would allow him to return to St Mirren.
Football management is like a game of snakes and ladders - and at the moment JR is on a snake, not a ladder.