Simo Valacari, one of the Premier League's newest managers, faces a big challenge at St Johnstone.
With just one point from a possible 12 so far in December, the Perth club are just one point behind 12th.
However, Saints supporters will know that their three defeats so far this month have been by one goal, while the point earned away to Aberdeen only came after the Dons came back from a goal down.
The short version is that it's a tight squeeze in this league and Valacari's team needs to find a way to end up on the right side of the fringes.
Dundee United are their visitors on Boxing Day, aiming for a second successive win over the Saints.
With three wins and a draw out of 11 so far, former Motherwell Finn Valakari has not enjoyed the strongest start at MacDiarmid Park, but he is not alone. Hearts' Neil Critchley has five wins from 15 while Hibernian's David Gray has recently taken his win percentage into the high 20s.
Once again, the competition is tight in the Scottish Premiership, but it also means that a win can go a long way and Valacari still has what it takes to lift St Johnstone off the bottom of the table in time for the New Year.