How did St Mirren finish last season? The Buddies ended up in 10th spot, amassing 41 points from their 38 games. That was an improvement of one place and five points from the previous campaign - their first in the SPL since 2000/01.
Manager: Gus MacPherson has been at the helm since late 2003 and won the First Division title in his second full season. The 39-year-old former Kilmarnock defender has done well to keep St Mirren in the top flight with limited resources.
Captain: Defender John Potter will wear the armband this season, taking over from long-serving midfielder Hugh Murray. The former Clyde man is prepared to go in where it hurts and always makes himself heard on the park.
Scottish top-flight highlights: St Mirren were a well-respected side throughout the 1980s and finished third, behind Aberdeen and Celtic, in season 1979/80. Uefa Cup qualification was also achieved in '84 and '86.
St Mirren legend: The young Frank McAvennie scored a bundle of goals for the Buddies between 1981 and 1985 before West Ham and Celtic came calling. The Scotland international made a brief return to Love Street at the tail end of his career.
Former skipper Tony Fitzpatrick, who made more than 500 appearances, also merits a mention - and not just for his fantastic moustache.
Star man: Andy Dorman has impressed with his performances since arriving from New England Revolution in January.
The 26-year-old is an athletic box-to-box midfielder and pitched in with five goals from 23 appearances.
Strengths: MacPherson's side improved their home record last term, winning seven games in front of their own fans and drawing four more. The Buddies can also be happy with four clean-sheets from their last five games of the campaign and have looked stingy at the back during pre-season.
Weaknesses: St Mirren don't score enough goals. Tom Brighton and Dennis Wyness have been recruited to sharpen an attack that managed two or more goals in just four league outings last season. Craig Dargo is the main threat and will be aiming for an extended run after all of his injury problems last term.
A lack of cover in central defence may also be a worry for MacPherson.
Our verdict: Summer signings Wyness, Jack Ross and Steven Robb all bring valuable top-flight experience, but it's hard to see St Mirren being involved in anything but a battle for survival.
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