ST MIRREN are hoping the introduction of boxing sessions will help them finally land another knock-out blow on their Premiership opponents.
Manager Oran Kearney has added sparring workouts to his training regime in a bid to bulk up his lightweight squad who have struggled to pack a punch after making the step up from the Championship in the summer.
Of their outfield regulars, only central defenders Jack Baird and Anton Ferdinand top the 6ft mark, leaving the Paisley side – winless since the first game of the season – struggling to compete in the battle against bigger, more streetwise opponents.
Baird admits it has been a challenge coping with that greater physical challenge posed by top-flight sides but hoped the boxing training would pay off in the long run.
The 22-year-old said: “The boxing sessions are something the manager introduced recently and already we’re feeling the benefits of it.
“It’s been fun getting the gloves on and giving a battering to whoever is holding the pads, although it’s also pretty hard work and we all felt a bit sore for a few days after the first session.
“It definitely makes you feel stronger afterwards, both physically and mentally, as you have to be ready for the contact when you’re the one holding the pads.
“It’s added something different to the usual training sessions rather than just running all the time, and it should hopefully help build our fitness and give us more of a physical edge as well as we’re not the biggest of sides.
“I’ve noticed that a lot of the teams we’ve faced so far this season have got a massive striker leading the line where maybe last year some teams had a different style, or played more along the ground.
“Although this is a higher division, some of the sides like to go quite direct at times and it can be quite a physical battle for a centre half like myself. And obviously at opposition corners and free-kicks as well you’ve got your hands full trying to cope with that threat.
“It was always going to be difficult making the step up a league as you’re up against a higher calibre of player as well. But we’re getting more used to it as the season goes on.”
St Mirren swept to the Championship title last year by playing to the strengths of forwards Danny Mullen, Cammy Smith, Lewis Morgan and Gavin Reilly – all under 5ft 10in.
Mullen and Smith are still part of this season’s squad and Baird admitted it required a different approach to attacking.
He added: “Wee Danny is still a great target man for us, despite his height, as he’s competitive and holds it in well.
"Cammy is good at finding space rather than going up against defenders.
"But it’s maybe a more difficult way for us to play with not having as many big lads in the team. We’re getting used to it but there’s no doubt this is quite a physical league.”
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