The position has arisen because, while at their best, the Tangerines have pulled off results like the win over high-flying Hibs two weeks ago, but the other end of the scale has seen defeats against bottom two Livi and tomorrow’s opponents Dunfermline already this season.

McCracken accepts the players have to start producing their best more regularly, but believes the quest for that would be boosted by the knowledge that under-fire gaffer Gordon Chisholm was remaining in charge for the foreseeable future.

“We know we need consistency as players, but maybe you could say that about us as a club. There is no question talk about the manager’s position unsettles the dressing-room. Maybe if, once an appointment is made, the gaffer was left to get on with it for a reasonable time, things would get better,” he said.

“That’s not really happened here and, as players, we just have to accept that’s football and get on with the job.”

That philosophical approach does not stop him feeling a sense of injustice on behalf of a boss he feels has been getting a raw deal.

“I do think the criticism of “Chis” has been a bit harsh. As a manager, all he can do is prepare the players properly and there is no question he does that.

“When we all go out on the park we know exactly what our job is, the shape of the team and the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, because these are the things he spends a lot of time working on in training.

“There is only so much he can do and there comes a point where we have to hold our hands up and say the results are down to us. After all, there have been quite a few games this season when we’ve taken the lead and not won, and that has been our fault, not his.”

Even allowing for that, McCracken feels that, given the SPL is only now reaching its mid-point, some of the criticism of United has been unfair to all concerned.

“We should have more points than we do and, with the players we have, people are right to expect more, but it is not as if we are down at the bottom and there is still time for us to make the top six. It seems crazy we are playing the team who are bottom and fighting for survival, but all the pressure seems to be on us to get a result tomorrow.”

United hope to have Peter Canero and Grant Brebner fit, though both remain doubts, while Dunfermline will give the injured Yannick Zambernardi, Andy Tod and Simon Donnelly every chance to prove their fitness. “They’re getting better and we’ll have another look at them today,” said Pars boss Jim Leishman.

“But this is a big game for us and we won’t take any chances with them. We’ve taken chances with players coming back from injury before, but won’t be taking any more such chances.”

He harked back to last season at Tannadice when a 1-0 win secured the Pars’ Premierleague status and is looking for the same kind of performance, though that did not stop him sympathising with the predicament his opposite number finds himself in.

“All managers live with pressure and Gordon will handle it no problem. Football management is a difficult business and I wish him the best of luck.”

And he knows the home side will be looking for the kind of lift his team got from their last result.

“Just as beating St Mirren was a huge win for us in terms of confidence because it showed we can figure at the top of this league, Queen of the South will feel that if they beat us they will show they can survive in it,” he said.

“That makes it a big test for us, but what I am looking for is exactly the same level of performance as I got in the last game. That in itself is a challenge, particularly for the younger players. But if they manage it, we will come away with three points.”

The nature of the St Mirren win and the fact Tam McManus is still out injured, means it’s a near-certainty the gaffer will go with the same starting line-up.

Garry Brady, a sub against the Buddies, is back in full training after a bout of flu and his inclusion in the travelling party will see Alan pick from the same squad.

He has, meanwhile, confirmed that striker Gavin Swankie will be allowed to leave the club in the January transfer window if he can get fixed up elsewhere.

Swankie’s summer signing from Arbroath was funded by cash from fans’ trust Dee 4 Life, but he has failed to establish himself in the squad and the feeling is a fresh start elsewhere is in the best interests of both club and player.

“I have spoken to Gavin and we will be circulating his name to other clubs. He sees himself as a centre-forward, but, with the arrival of Steven Craig and the emergence of Craig O’Reilly, he is well down the pecking order and I feel it is better for him, as well as us, if he moves on,” explained the manager.

“The fact funding came from the fans for Gavin’s signing makes this unfortunate, but I cannot really take that into account and I have to do what I feel is in the best interests of the team and the club.”

If the Perth Saints win, they’ll close the gap on their rivals to four points, so this is a massive game for them.

“The supporters have been fantastic. From day one, they have been great and I know they’ll give us strong backing tomorrow,” said Owen.

Kevin James is likely to be in his usual place at the heart of the St Johnstone defence after having half a dozen stitches inserted in a cut head received against QOS.

So, St Johnstone are likely to travel west with the squad which accounted for Queens.

Owen knows a win will put his Saints right back in the promotion hunt big style, but he insisted, “It’s another game, another three points. St Mirren are top of the league on merit, but, if my players play the way they can, I’m confident whoever we play.”

McDiarmid Park houses an attractive fixture on Sunday when Saints face Celtic in the Youth Cup (1 pm).

Brechin face a testing trip to Airdrie United this weekend and they will be minus a large number of players.

The suspended Gary Bollan will join Paul Deas, Steven Hamilton, Alex Burns and Steven Hampshire on the sidelines.

In addition, Steven Ferguson needs more game-time before he can be considered for first-team action, while Craig McEwan may be forced into action nursing a slight injury due to the dearth of defenders.

As the transfer window looms, manager Ian Campbell has been working overtime to identify players he feels can improve the squad.

“We’ll certainly be trying to make three or four changes, because we’ve proved up to now that we’re not good enough and we have to do something about that,” said Campbell, showing his frustration that time’s running out for the Glebe Park side to notch a league win before the end of the year.