Keeper Peter Enckelman has made a firm case for the new-look St Johnstone defence as they try to extend their clean-sheet record at Motherwell this afternoon.
Saints have not conceded in their last three league games away from home at Aberdeen, Celtic and St Mirren. That achievement is testament to the new defensive additions to the squad such as Frazer Wright and David McCracken.
They have more than filled the shoes of the talismanic Michael Duberry after he left the club for family reasons during the summer.
Now, Enckelman is hoping Saints can continue their good run against a side who proved to be a bogey team for them last season.
He said: ”It has been a fair start to the campaign, although it is a bit strange that we have managed to keep three clean sheets away from home yet have conceded a few at McDiarmid.
”I think that is just a coincidence I don’t believe we have defended any better or worse in the games.
”Obviously, Doobs was a big influence for us last season but we had to move on. With the players we have brought in, we are certainly not any weaker than last year.
”There have been a few combinations in the back four so far and they have all done really well but it is not just about the defence the whole team has been defending from the front.
”We have Motherwell now and although we lost a lot of goals to them last season, that is something we won’t be thinking about.
”You can’t say you will not do well against certain teams and all right against others. You have to take every game as it comes.
”I did not have a good game against Motherwell in the semi-final of the cup and I may have made some uncharacteristic mistakes after that but you just have to move on.
”As a player, you have to look at the season as a whole and not focus on just one game. Everyone has ups and downs.”
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Enckelman has certainly had more ups so far this campaign helped in no small part by the knowledge that he has Alan Mannus breathing down his neck in competition for the St Johnstone goalkeeping jersey.
The Finnish international knows he cannot afford to let his standards slip and he is being helped make sure that does not happen by a new goalkeeping coach who has replaced Gordon Marshall at the club.
He said: ”Gordon was a great help and influence to me when he was here. Alan Combe has come in now and he is doing really well for the goalkeepers.
”I think nowadays a goalkeeping coach is essential at this level. The keepers need to do specific work in training and it is important to get that perspective.
”I have been fairly pleased with my own form so far. Obviously, Alan Mannus has come in and it is always great to have competition.
”We get on well and he keeps me on my toes. He inspires me and vice versa.
”He is an international keeper with bags of experience as well and I know how he will be feeling not getting a game just now.
”It is always difficult as, unlike outfield players, there is only one position where we can play in the team.
”At the moment, I have the vote of confidence from the manager and that is brilliant. I want to keep playing so I am determined to continue doing as well as possible.”
Saints will be without the injured Jody Morris, Murray and Callum Davidson as well as Sam Parkin for today’s game.
Meanwhile, Jamaica winger Omar Daley comes into the Motherwell squad after completing his move to Fir Park in midweek.
Shaun Hutchinson is out for about a month after suffering an ankle injury at Celtic Park last weekend.
Steven Saunders remains out with a long-term Achilles injury.