Sounds simple, doesn't it? Sadly, it will be anything but - and not just because this is St. Mirren we're talking about. When we played Falkirk a few weeks ago we played terribly and deserved to lose. They are even more desperate for points, having lost their last two games, and if they really want to stay up they need to start winning - and fast. Kilmarnock are still just a point ahead of them, but it's surely just a matter of time until they get a win that would put the Bairns - and maybe Saints - in even more trouble.
A year ago, we were staring relegation in the face and put in a fantastic performance to take an unexpected and vital win. The situation isn't the same this time around, and that's what makes me worried. There is no need for us to get a victory, it is not a must win game. A draw would leave us in good shape and mean a win in one of our final two games would see us safe. It would not be a major surprise tomorrow if we go to Westfield and play for a point. It's a very dangerous attitude and is arguably more risky than going for the victory. If we play for a draw, we will almost certainly be beaten. If we dig in, fight for every ball and every player gives their all, a win and safety are very real possibilities.
Once again, the supporters have a part to play tomorrow. 12 months ago they were superb, filling the away end and cheering the team on from first to last. The same approach is needed tomorrow. There will be at least a couple of thousands Saints fans there tomorrow - including myself - and we can make the difference. Sing and cheer until your throat is beyond sore and your voice is gone. If we give our all, hopefully the players will give theirs and we will get the result we require.
Not for the first time this season, we have major injury worries. Steven Robb, Billy Mehmet, Hugh Murray, Graham Carey and David Barron could all be missing for various reasons. Robb, Carey and Barron are the least severe and it would be a surprise if at least two of them aren't in tomorrow's team, even if they're playing through the pain barrier. Mehmet and Murray are a bit more problematic. Murray took one hell of a blow to the head last week and suffered concussion, which could mean he's on the sidelines whether he wants to be or not. Mehmet's injury was kept pretty quiet last week but it's still not known whether he'll be ready for tomorrow. Hopefully he is, as he has a superb scoring record against Falkirk. To add to the woes - and remember, Jack Ross and Tom Brighton are missing too - Lee Mair is also suspended, although Chris Innes should slot straight into his place.
The injury problems will almost certainly mean we're going to go with a back four again - although quite what we'll do if Carey, Barron and Robb are out is anyone's guess! The important thing is whether we go with one striker or two. Andy Dorman has been excellent since he was given freedom to roam behind the lone striker, be it Mehmet or Michael Higdon. However, Higdon may rough up the opposition, but he doesn't have the same work rate as Mehmet and it makes the single striker tactic difficult - especially in light of Stephen O'Donnell's poor performance last week. The good news is Craig Dargo is back fit again so there's every chance he could be paired alongside Higdon. He could even be a straight swap for Murray, although if we go with a lone striker then Garry Brady will probably take over from him. It's a tough choice to make but, despite the Higdon problem, I'd almost be tempted to go for one up front just for the difference it makes to Andy Dorman.
Thanks to the lunacy of the SPL, we find ourselves with a third trip to Westfield this season. Our record there is reasonably good - far better than it ever was at Brockville - but it's still blatantly unfair to make us go there three times, especially as we were last there a few weeks ago. That day was a complete nightmare, but hopefully it will help spur the players on a bit tomorrow afternoon. As for Falkirk, that was their last win. It should have been a springboard to some good, post-split form but it's had the opposite effect. They've lost their last two games and are still bottom, although they're still just behind Kilmarnock. Steven Pressley confidently predicted they'd stay up when he took over and they still have a great chance of doing that - but they need to find a win from somewhere.
While Dorman and Mehmet have a good scoring record against Falkirk, Pedro Moutinho and Carl Finnigan are pretty handy at finding the back of the net against us. Moutinho has scored against Saints since the Bairns were in the first division and scored the opener against us a fortnight ago. The defence will need to be on top form to deal with them, particularly Moutinho who has a habit of turning it on against the big teams. The threat of Lee "St. Mirren stole our trophy" Bullen will also need to be watched if he comes on as a sub as he seems to have done well since he returned to the playing side. There's also former Saint Burton O'Brien, who will be keen to put in a good display.
Unlike ourselves, Falkirk have plenty of players who came through their youth system - and in addition to them Pressley seems prepared to give youngsters a chance, something that doesn't seem to be happening at Saints. The more established graduates of their youth system include Darren Barr, Scott Arfield and Tam Scobbie. Barr is destined to join Hearts in the summer and will want to leave Falkirk as an SPL club, similar to Kirk Broadfoot with Saints in 2007. On paper, the Falkirk defence looks pretty solid with Barr, Brian McLean, Scobbie and Marc Twaddle, and Robert Olejnik in goals is no mug. As well as being good defensively, the likes of Barr and McLean are also a threat at the other end from set-pieces.
Tomorrow is a crucial game for both clubs. We've a 100 per cent record against Falkirk in post-split games and have yet to concede a goal in these matches. Let's hope that's still the case after tomorrow.