This season we looked to be finally shaking off the 'bottling' tag with some solid defensive performances and impressive attacking play, leading to hopes that this season would be one to remember. However, our place in the table has been dogged by some uncharacteristic lapses in defence that keep costing us points.
Now those lapses are turning into a tide of uncertainity in a side looking tired and short on confidence. So what are the reasons for our dip in form?
Individuals have played their part, starting at the top. The slump has coincided with the resignation of Michael Wilde as Chairman hinting that all is not well behind the scenes. Could this uncertainity at the top filtered down onto the pitch, particularly with rumours that a certain Graeme Souness may be heading a consortium to buy the club?
In terms of our stars, Burley has admitted that Gareth Bale is understandably 'mentally and physically drained' and the Welsh youngster's form has certainly dipped in games of late. It says something about his talent that even off-colour he is still head and shoulders above most of his colleagues.
20 goal striker Rasiak has looked more and more sullen after being dropped from the team, seemingly in one big sulk since Drew Surman insisted on taking the penalty that earned him his memorable hat-trick.
Even two candidates for player of the season Lundekvam and Baird have been well short of their high standards, with some uncharacteristically weak defending amid an uncertain back line. Hero Chris Baird has started to look more like the right back he is, as Saints don't seem the same side without Darren Powell's bulk down the middle.
The much hyped Rudi Skacel is another failing to live up to his potential, although that may have something to do with a back injury. There is surely more to come from that magical left foot.
So why have the players suffered a collective dip in form? Inevitably, when it comes to collective performances the finger ends up being pointed at the manager.
Burley is an experienced campaigner in the play-offs and should know how to get his side ready for the battles ahead. However, Saints have struggled under the pressure of late.
The curious thing is that despite assembling a side that is undoubtedly his own, Burley's side is starting to show many of the characteristics of previous Saints sides. Burley himself looks uncertain of his best side, chopping and changing personnel, although this hasn't been helped by a run of injuries to key players, such as Jones, Powell and Belmadi.
There have been some curious decisions of late. Guthrie brought in on emergency loan, a promising cameo, then played out of position, then not even in the squad. Dyer mysteriously reappearing in the side after a long, long time out. Idiakez moving out on loan.
The answer may well be a collective malaise: players losing confidence, uncertainity behind the scenes and Saints old failings rearing their ugly head. The collective groan that greeted Cardiff's first goal showed that the fans knew what was coming next. After all, we've seen it all before.
The one postive about the situation is that all the sides around us are also feeling the pressure, meaning that despite some poor form, we are still in touch with the play-offs.
If Burley can put his finger on the problem and instill some confidence back into the side, Saints just might, might, surprise us all with a charge worthy of The Great Escape...