This piece is from yesterday's Buddies Briefing newsletter, which is emailed out at 6pm every Thursday. To receive our full, free St Mirren newsletter straight to your email inbox, click here.

Stephen Robinson has a bit of a knack for raising eyebrows. It's something I hope he never loses - even if it throws up a potential mistake along the way.

Thankfully, in recent times he has also been inadvertently raising expectations with each passing unbeaten league result.

However, even at the outset of the season, there was surprise in summer dealings, tactical tweaks, and the customary Viaplay Cup group stage shocker.

In those moments it would be easy to make rash decisions, write of the huge progress made and demand an explanation for some of the calls made by Robinson and highly-rated right-hand man Diarmid O'Carroll.

But, inside the Buddies camp from player to boardroom there was no such worry, unease or stress. Of course poor results or perceived questionable signings draw out mixed reactions from the stands - which is understandable - but with Robinson there is method to the madness.

I'm not for a second suggesting Rory McAllister's strike for Montrose back in July catapulted St Mirren to an undefeated run in the league and a second-place position in October. Rather, when there are concerns on the surface more often than not there is motion in the background not only to correct any issue but to turn it into an undeniable strength.

This is where Robinson works his magic. 

Take a look at his track record in Paisley with players perhaps written off or toiling in form. Curtis Main, Toyosi Olusanya, Scott Tanser, Marcus Fraser, Alex Gogic, Mikael Mandron, Zach Hemming. The list goes on.

Not only does Robinson have the knack of raising eyebrows with the impressive start to the season, but, for me more importantly he has overseen incredible development in his players.

I've lost count of the number of times a new left-back has been demanded in Paisley in the last few seasons - now, Tanser is in the form of his life and a starting spot is absolutely non-negotiable.

Even captain Mark O'Hara didn't enjoy a campaign more than worthy of a player of the year nomination before arriving in Paisley being handed the armband and with it a new lease of life.

Need Main's drastic turnaround from out of the picture to headline striker need discussed? Or if you missed that then take a look at Olusanya this season or Mandron when compared to some disparaging comments from rival club supporters upon his arrival.

Robinson, O'Carroll and goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield deserve enormous credit for stretching every last inch of quality out of every player at the Ralston training base.

That's why the St Mirren train won't be derailed this season.

With Robinson, player development is the gift that keeps on giving. And it can throw up some head-scratching calls that unveil themselves as tactical masterstrokes.

Take Gogic for example. He has been an absolute standout this season and, arguably, all while playing out of position. I remember when Gogic signed a permanent deal and Robinson made clear of his ambition to transition the holding midfielder to centre-back, a role he played at international level for Cyprus. Fast-forward and Gogic is possibly St Mirren best central defender.

And that's not to discount his team-mates, Marcus Fraser who too is often still mistaken for his previous position as a right-back but now operates in a colossal defensive line with Richard Taylor.

The development is no better seen than in Taylor too, a player handed a cost-effective short-term deal last season but is now a first-team regular and doesn't look one bit out of place.

Caolan Boyd-Munce was another drafted in last term but had very limited minutes only to burst into the first-team this term and put in a couple of real quality performances.

Under Robinson, I have no doubt players at the club and those who will no doubt arrive in the future will achieve their potential or stun their doubters. I'm looking at you James Bolton and Stav Nahmani - watch this space.

Being a St Mirren supporter doesn't get much better than at the current moment but there is just as much reason for optimism looking forward under Robinson and Co.