Saints vs. Partick Thistle 04/11/06

[Radford 72]

How important is this game now? Questions have to be asked of the bottle of Saints sides over the past few years and this current group need to start delivering. 1 win in the last 5 matches is not good enough. Being top of the league, they'll no doubt have a large vocal support and their players will love the big surface.

Hopefully only be Rutkiewicz, James, Scotland and Lawson out.

Coyle's options are limited to playing either Sheridan or McLaren in place of Lawson. I think he'll go with McLaren as we'll be looking to win the match...

Halliwell

Lawrie - McManus - Anderson - Stanic

Hardie - Mensing - Sheerin - McLaren

Milne - MacDonald

Subbies: Cuthbert, Sheridan, Jackson, Dyer, Coyle.

[MUZZ]

we will win this game easily

[Radford 72]

we will win this game easily
You are usually good with these predictions Muzz so that gives me hope!

[Shaggy Jenkins]

I cannot see us loosing this game. We should of won on Saturday easily, indeed had we not been playing 10 against 12 we would of.

As long as we show bouncebackabillity we will win

[Nairn Saint]

Would take a dodgy last minute 1:0 with a crap performance! Even better if Andy Lawrie gets the winner (don't rule that out).

[saint_markperth]

bouncebackabillity

Recently added to the English Oxford Dictionary

[MUZZ]

we will win this game easily
You are usually good with these predictions Muzz so that gives me hope!

i just feel that partick are really punching above their weight and a trip to our fortress will be too much for them. we'll miss jason though.

i'd start savo and mclaren up front and forget about peaso

[dave mc]

Thought i'd go with your team,Radford,but Peaso still didn't look fit on saturday-looked heavy legged,so McLaren might just get the nod.Agree with Muzz,we will miss Jason,although he was poor at Broadwood,still makes you feel he'll do something out of the ordinary though.

[Tranmere Saintee]

Would take a dodgy last minute 1:0 with a crap performance! Even better if Andy Lawrie gets the winner (don't rule that out).

I hope that is the prediction of the year!! :***:

[Gazzo]

Coyle's options are limited to playing either Sheridan or McLaren in place of Lawson. I think he'll go with McLaren as we'll be looking to win the match...


:***:

Never have truer words been spoken!

I really hope Sheridan doesn't start, McLaren will fit in easily on the left wing, and Sheerin can adopt the centre role, as you predicted in your post. In other words, I agree with your line up. I must admit, I am quite suprised you opted for McLaren, I remember you saying you didn't like Sheerin in the centre.

I don't share the confidence of some, I think this will prove to be our toughest Partick challenge yet, particularly since recent results have worked in our favour. They are a mid-table side enjoying a brief period of success, unfortunately for us, we are encountering them while they are at their best.

Will also be interesting to see what happens without Scotland.

[HertsSaintee]

Easy to get nervous about this one, but I don't think we should be. Partick let us play football when we played them at Firhill, something that we've struggled to do against the up-and-at-'em sides like Clyde and Airdrie, but that's when we're at our most effective. Remember, Partick were taken apart that day as we all remember, and the Saints players should all be up for it to a) prove to themselves that Clyde was a blip and b) play for places against Rangers. We're only really going to miss Jason, as Lawson didn't figure in the game at Firhill. The player who comes in for Jason will also want to make sure he makes an impact. I agree, play Savo and Wullie up front - McDonald still doesn't look the business yet, leave the rest as was, and we should win the game with something to spare.


Herts

[Victor]

Beware.....
Partick Thistle away P6 W4 D2 L0 F9 A4
Airdrie Utd 1-2 Partick
Queen of South 0-2 Partick
Hamilton 1-2 Partick
Clyde 0-0 Partick
Livingston 2-2 Partick
Dundee 0-1 Partick
Plus CIS Cup-
Dundee 1-3 Partick

[HertsSaintee]

Theirs is undoubtedly an interesting away record, Vic. However, Saints long, long unbeaten league run, home and away, has only just come to an end. We are a better footballing side than they are, as they will try to play football against us. That's to our advantage on Saturday, as they won't be as good as we are.

Saints to get back on track. Keep the faith.


Herts

[Victor]

Saints to get back on track. Keep the faith.
Really hope we do! :)

[inex]

Halliwell

Lawrie - McManus - Anderson - Stanic

Hardie - Mensing - Sheerin - McLaren

Milne - MacDonald

Subbies: Cuthbert, Sheridan, Jackson, Dyer, Coyle.

That should be the lineup. Not sure if Mensing or Sheridan should sit but one of them should be given some freedom to attack.

[SJC]

Well, as of this moment we're still unbeaten at home in the league for over a year, and it still be this way on Saturday night.

If we lose this one then it's time for the panicking to commence, but it's a game I see us winning convincingly- 3 or 4-0.

[kieron24_9]

i think that maclarens only problem that he is to skinny and light!i would rather start peaso

[templeofsaints]

i think that maclarens only problem that he is to skinny and light!i would rather start peaso

Has to be Peaso and Savo up front I agree but McLaren should be given a role in midfield (preferably through the middle alongside Mensing).

[pezza70]

Would love to see young jacko get a crack at them with peaso on the bench to cover for him if things are not working out.

Plenty of people moan about the lack of effort Jason put's in etc, but the top of the table clash without him would surely have the tin whistle fans breathing a big sigh of relief

[Ronaldo]

It's quite good in a way that two good players are getting an enforced rest prior to our midweek friendly :) - Jason and Lawson.
Maybe a half each for Peaso and Jackson, but I think Peaso will get the nod for his experience and he needs a boost.

This should be a good game, I enjoy games between us and Partick.

[saint_markperth]

I would start with peaso up front, At least that way he can get as much match fitness as he can and then we hae jacko to come on and run them ragged

[blueheaven]

I think Peaso deserves this chance to start - not just because of his record against Partick, but also because from what I've heard he's been working hard to get back into the frame and get his form back up, and that should be rewarded.

[Radford 72]

I think Peaso deserves this chance to start - not just because of his record against Partick, but also because from what I've heard he's been working hard to get back into the frame and get his form back up, and that should be rewarded.
Agreed. If this had been a month ago then I think there would have been a case for starting Jacko but I've seen Peaso play 90 mins against Thistle and Dundee since then and am convinced he's ready for action. Hopefully Jacko will get his chance off the bench.

[Broon]

Partick looked shocking at the back at Firhill and our pace really frightened them. For that reason I think we need both McLaren and Milne in the team as well as Peaso (purley for his record and current form). I would probably line up like:


Halliwell

Lawrie Ando McManus Stanic

Hardie Mensing Sheerin

Peaso

Milne McLaren



With maybe Peaso and McLaren swapping now and again to mix things up. Peaso is good in the air and holds the ball well. That would allow McLaren and Milne to play off the shoulder and run that Partick defence all over the place.

[slf]

should be a good crowd,we are gonna stuff them.

[SingaporeSaint]

should be a good crowd,we are gonna stuff them.

Think we can get near the 4,000 mark ?

[jagsman]

A lot of you think this game will be a walk over based on the last time we played you. Got to say though that thistle have improved a lot since then and that can be seen from where we are in the league table!

A few seasons a go when we went up from the second people had us going back down though we went onto win the league. Not saying this will happen again but a lot of you seem quick to write us off!

Saturday should be a good game!

[Steve Maskrey]

I think you're right jagsman. Thistle have done well to get back on track after the tanking they received from both us and Gretna. I think it'll be a lot closer this time though i'm confident of a 2-1 win for Saints with Peaso scoring the winner :D

[18SJHedgieFC84]

but you have to admit partik are pish!!

[pavel]

I think he will play Hardie up with Milne. We have no height or strength without Jason.

[saint_markperth]

Dont think we will get our usual 4 but here is hoping, They need brought down a peg or 2, Give it till after xmas they will be sitting about 5th

[Saintkev]

Hi Jagsman, know a Partick fan and he's first to admit you are in a very false position, but is glad of it as it could be the difference between relegation at teh end of teh season... no faith in Dick, Head Coach! :wink:

[Chansey]

official site says OC is looking to play Peaso, Mclaren AND sheridan what do you all think abou that. Looks like he want to play a midfield of

Hardie (probably) Sheridan Sheerin Mclaren

With peaso upfront with savo.

May not be the place, but it also says scrabble is back. I havnt heard much of his loan spell at Raith, anyone know how he got on? WIll he have any future with us?

[Cagey]

Owen usually plays Hardie up front when either Savo or Jase are not available so like Pavel I think he may play MMM up front & put Sheridan & McLaren in midfield. I personally would give Peaso a chance up front as he played well against Dundee reserves. I don`t normally like Peaso but he looked sharp against Dundee & won everything in the air.

Scrabble is back because he was doing nothing with Raith just as he has done with us. I think we will struggle to get him off the wage bill in January.

[Chansey]

Owen usually plays Hardie up front when either Savo or Jase are not available so like Pavel I think he may play MMM up front & put Sheridan & McLaren in midfield. I personally would give Peaso a chance up front as he played well against Dundee reserves. I don`t normally like Peaso but he looked sharp against Dundee & won everything in the air.

From the official site it gave the indication he was looking to start peaso, so am unsure if he will play hardie upfront, although your right that is normally OC's line of thought when jase or savo are unavailable. Wouldnt be a bad thing for Hardie to be upfront, he's physical threat definatley causes problems, although his touch still leaves alot to be desired.

[templeofsaints]

Owen usually plays Hardie up front when either Savo or Jase are not available so like Pavel I think he may play MMM up front & put Sheridan & McLaren in midfield. I personally would give Peaso a chance up front as he played well against Dundee reserves. I don`t normally like Peaso but he looked sharp against Dundee & won everything in the air.

From the official site it gave the indication he was looking to start peaso, so am unsure if he will play hardie upfront, although your right that is normally OC's line of thought when jase or savo are unavailable. Wouldnt be a bad thing for Hardie to be upfront, he's physical threat definatley causes problems, although his touch still leaves alot to be desired.

I'd rather see Hardie on the right wing this time - he played there at Firhill and IMHO it was one of his best performances for Saints. Peaso up front will provide us with more of a threat and with Savo/ Wullie and Sheerinho to do the running we can hopefully keep some pressure on them.

[Chansey]

Owen usually plays Hardie up front when either Savo or Jase are not available so like Pavel I think he may play MMM up front & put Sheridan & McLaren in midfield. I personally would give Peaso a chance up front as he played well against Dundee reserves. I don`t normally like Peaso but he looked sharp against Dundee & won everything in the air.

From the official site it gave the indication he was looking to start peaso, so am unsure if he will play hardie upfront, although your right that is normally OC's line of thought when jase or savo are unavailable. Wouldnt be a bad thing for Hardie to be upfront, he's physical threat definatley causes problems, although his touch still leaves alot to be desired.

I'd rather see Hardie on the right wing this time - he played there at Firhill and IMHO it was one of his best performances for Saints. Peaso up front will provide us with more of a threat and with Savo/ Wullie and Sheerinho to do the running we can hopefully keep some pressure on them.

Last time i seen him on the right was against Livvy away, can't remember where he played against the coags....But he was nothing short of dreadful, mainly due to his touch, better control and use of the ball and he would be a key player for us IMO.

[Saintkev]

I'd play Wullie purely for pace, how much did Plastic struggle against that down there?!! Get some pace up top Saints, fook the Whistle!

[rickardo]

I'd play Wullie purely for pace, how much did Plastic struggle against that down there?!! Get some pace up top Saints, fook the Whistle!

good call

[Saintkev]

I know Rikardo... I've been drinkin! :twisted: 8)

[rickardo]

Ya wee devil :twisted:

[Radford 72]

That utter goon Chris Boyle that sent Stevo off against Raith is the ref. What do we have to do for a decent referee?

Craig Mackay and now Chris Boyle twice already this season.

Stuart Dougal is doing the cup tie. Hopefully he'll pull a hamstring as John Underhill is the fourth official!

The standard of refereeing really is at an all-time low.

[Saintkev]

The standard of refereeing really is at an all-time low.

I was about to dispute this, but I think what I expect off a referee has dropped dramtically so that I just accept terribleness.

[Radford 72]

The standard of refereeing really is at an all-time low.
I was about to dispute this, but I think what I expect off a referee has dropped dramtically so that I just accept terribleness.
I hated Dallas but at least, while he may have wanted to be centre of attention, he wasn't totally incompotent. This new batch are woeful.

All new referees should have to be vetoed by Willie Young, the true great referee this country has produced.

[Oldmuirton]

[All new referees should have to be vetoed by Willie Young, the true great referee this country has produced.

Spot on. Willie Young treated it as a man's game but took no c**p from the players. Kept the game flowing. Best ref in recent years

[chips for tea]

A lot of you think this game will be a walk over based on the last time we played you. Got to say though that thistle have improved a lot since then and that can be seen from where we are in the league table!

A few seasons a go when we went up from the second people had us going back down though we went onto win the league. Not saying this will happen again but a lot of you seem quick to write us off!

Saturday should be a good game!

I for one dont think this will be an easy game (i feckin hope it will be but doubt it) The jags are going through a good run at the mo and will be well up for this,we have a great tendancy of shooting ourselves on the foot when it comes to must win games (c'mon the blues prove me wrong)

[Ronaldo]

--------------------------------- Haliwell ---------------------------
Lawrie ---------------- McManus ---------- Anderson ---------- Stanic
Mensing -------------- Sheridan ---------- Sheerin --------- McLaren
---------------------- -- Peaso ------------ Milne -----------------

[Moray Blue]

todays teams

SAINTS: Halliwell, Lawrie, Stanic, Mensing, Mcmanus, Anderson, hardie, Sheerin, Milne, MacDonald, McLaren.
Subs: Coyle, Sheridan, Jackson, Dyer, Cuthbert

PARTICK: Arthur, Sives, McCulloch, Brady, Keogh, Boyd, Gibson, Donnelly, Young, Roberts, Strachan.
Subs: Campbell, Gibson, McConalogue, Gibson, Tuffey


C'mon Saints

[blueheaven]

SAINTS: Halliwell, Lawrie, Mensing, Mcmanus, Anderson, hardie, Sheerin, Milne, MacDonald, McLaren.
Subs: Coyle, Sheridan, Jackson, Dyer, Cuthbert

I know it's good to go into a game with confidence, but starting the game with only 10 men is just plain cocky!! :wink:

[Moray Blue]

SAINTS: Halliwell, Lawrie, Mensing, Mcmanus, Anderson, hardie, Sheerin, Milne, MacDonald, McLaren.
Subs: Coyle, Sheridan, Jackson, Dyer, Cuthbert

I know it's good to go into a game with confidence, but starting the game with only 10 men is just plain cocky!! :wink:

Damm cut and paste. You'd think the offical site would get the teams right.

[Moray Blue]

1-0 Sheerin (19)

[free the bees]

GOAL: St Johnstone 1-0 Partick: P Sheerin (15)

[Moray Blue]

Dundee 1-0 against Gretna

[Moray Blue]

Gretna equalised, 1-1

[Moray Blue]

half time and results going ok so far

[free the bees]

half time and results going ok so far

Couldnt really be better to be honest with all other teams dropping points and us winning

[saint_markperth]

still 20 mins to go tho

[saint_markperth]

hamilton 1-0

[saint_markperth]

2-0 peaso 73

[Moray Blue]

now if Clyde could only atone for last week :D

[Moray Blue]

Clyde 1-1
Gretna 2-1

Still ok

[saint_markperth]

2-1 clyde

[Moray Blue]

2-1 Clyde now

[free the bees]

ahh back home not - top of the league

[Moray Blue]

Top again.

Good results elsewhere.

Be interesting to read what those that were there say later.

[Scobby_SJFC]

Good day top again!

BBC sure are making a big deal of the OC rumours!!

[chopper]

Scores and table:

Airdrie United 0
Livingston 1 (Tweed) (McPake s/off)

Clyde 2 (McGregor, Malone)
Hamilton Academicals 1 (McArthur) (Rezgane s/off)

Dundee 1 (McGinty)
Gretna 3 (McMenamin-pen, Tosh, Jenkins)

Queen of the South 2 (Weir, O'Neill)
Ross County 0

St. Johnstone 2 (Sheerin, MacDonald)
Partick Thistle 0


Table (Team, Played, Points, Goal Diff.)

St. Johnstone 12 23 +12
Partick Thistle 12 23 -2
Gretna 12 21 +11
Hamilton Academicals 12 21 0
Livingston 12 20 +7
Clyde 12 16 0
Dundee 12 14 +1
Ross County 12 13 -8
Queen of the South 12 8 -13
Airdrie United 12 7 -10

[SaintSam1884]

I predicted we would take twelve points from twelve against Thistle this season after we demolished them at Firhill. Two games down, six points won, seven goals scored, one conceeded. :***:

Great game.

[Radford 72]

Much more like it from Saints today as we maintained our good home record with an impressive performance against a Thistle team who also played well in the second half.

McLaren and MacDonald started for us instead of Lawson and Scotland and we took control straight away, McLaren nearly opening the scoring after MacDonald had forced an error from the Thistle defence.

The opening goal as (another) beauty from Sheerin he cracked a volley from outside the box low past Kenny Arthur. Sheerin then hit the angle of bar and post as Saints looked for a second. Thistle were struggling to get out of their own half but did Roberts did force Halliwell into a great save in their only attack of note.

Thistle looked a lot more dangerous in the second period and some of the one touch stuff between Donnelly, Young and Roberts was threatening although McManus and Anderson were superb again for us, in fact the whole back four was.

Our second goal was a superb volley from Peaso after he was played in on the right side of the box.

Thistle forced Halliwell to make a good low save then Jimmy Gibson blasted over after neat build up from Young and Donnelly.

Andy Jackson should've sealed the points but knocked just wide after being played in.

The game was played at a pretty high pace and I for one really enjoyed it. Both teams tried to play good football and Thistle showed, at times, why they've done so well but we were near enough top gear today and looked impressive.

Chris Boyle wasn't as bad as I expected. He gave a lot against Thistle but then contrived to book Sheerin and McManus for their only fouls of the game! Thistle fans probably weren't impressed by him.

Mention to Scott McCulloch too for indulging in a bit of banter. He comes over to take a throw and is met with the "you fat b'stard" taunts. One guy is standing up laying into him so McCulloch just looks at him, points and then laughs before rubbing his head, taking the piss out of the guy who was bald! Great to see!

[Hazel1884]

Walking away from McD saying we should have had more than the 2 goals we got - seems to be a recurring phrase!

First half Thistle were there for the taking and they came out after the break looking to get into the game - but we mopped up most attacks well. Sheerin's goal was a 'stoater' again and he is playing the best he has for Saints just now. He's is the Wizard afterall! :wink:

McManus, Anderson and Sheerin were fantastic today - with mentions to Mensing and MacDonald (well, when he plays to the whistle and not in expectation of the whistle!!!)

From what i had read from Radford about the ref i was pleasently surprised by his performance - first half he was good and a few dodgy calls in the second half but aside from that i thought he was good.

McConnalogue is a bawbag.

[dave mc]

Excellent team performance all round.Played at good pace and controlled most of the game,though Thistle were much improved in the second half.

[Broon]

I thought it was a great match today by two teams intent on playing good football. Partick played very well which makes it a very good win for us. Both goals were superb and Sheerin is turning into a star player for us. How good was his effort off the post? Great save though.

I thought we defended superbly well again and I don't think James should get in the team when he's fit unless we get injuries.

Quick mention to the keeper who had his best game for us. Some good stops and, for once, was very good at cross balls. Very calm and collected. If he can play like that more often we'll conceed very few goals.

[Ali91]

superb result and a superb performance. halliwell was confident at cross balls, made two good saves and even his kicking was olrite. ando and mcmanus were rocks at the heart of the defense as usual. the whole team was brilliant. good crowd and all.

[Cagey]

Can`t add anything to Radfords summery.
It was a big game for us today & enything less than a win would have left us playing catchup. If Thistle had gone 6 points ahead of us it would have given them the boost that may have taken them further. They certainly looked like they were up for it even if we did control the game & should have scored 5 or 6.
Ref was poor second half & how he could book McManus & Sheerin for one foul I don`t know but I think he may have thougt it was elbows.

[templeofsaints]

Excellent game from both sides but again we should have won by a bucketload. Not a weak spot in the side today with the midfield pair of Mensing and Hardie looking a lot more disciplined, Peaso back on form with a brilliant goal and Sheerin proving he is the "Wizard of Balls" :***:

[Kevin]

Great advert for the first division today, after the match Dick Campbell was effusive in his proase for Saints and feels we deserve to win the league, which I have to agree with :***:

Thought Peaso played well in his first start this season and kept on for the whole 90 minutes but he needs to be careful when he is tackled as not everyone pushes him over :shock:

Sheerin should have had a hat-trick before half time but thyings just didn't go his way and thought Stanic's long range efforts were good value too...

Good old fashioned end to end footie and, as Hazel has pointed out, a good game from the ref, the west stand linesman was well dodgy though!

[Davey]

saints support < only the bout 154 sang! seriously what a shitty astmosphere we have! EMBARRASING

[Steve Maskrey]

saints support < only the bout 154 sang! seriously what a shitty astmosphere we have! EMBARRASING

I wouldn't have said so as a fair few in the middle of the East Stand joined in but by the time anyone else decided to sing, those who started the songs had finished :roll:

Maybe we need to start a thread on Chit Chat on how to last longer than a minute rather than fave position :? :roll: :wink:

[dave mc]

Don't know what effusive or proase means! Must be something to do with the official site!???Cause it says Savo nearly scored early on, but it was defo McLaren, but then again,we could be all OF wankers, and rely on other cnuts that have actually been to the game.Hard to believe how hard that was to post,after the night i've had.

And Peaso wisnae on for 90 mins!!

[garydavidson]

As my anual birthday celebration i headed to perth today and muchly pleased with the result i was. Greatly improved from last season but there was a pattern that I spotted from the livi game. The midfield seemed to vanish in the second half, we should have had them flattend them in the first half, which seems to be something owen says after every game.

As said else where i think james should be made to fight his way back in, McManus was superb and never missed one header he went for. He took on the role of captain very well and where i was in the main stand i could hear him clearly handing out the orders. He was solid in the air and on the ground. Simon Mensing was solid and what a player he was today. As i said only the second game of the season for me but he was a rock he got stuck into everyhting he went for.

Paul Sheerin was man of the match for me, this guy seems to have no age limiter and my dad said that he reminds him of paul cherry, not only can he strike a shot and skin many a younger player but set up many a good play. Without him we would be lost.

The referee was good today compaird to what i have read about although he seemed to go with who ever was shooting towards the away end i found it crazy the bookings he gave to us whilst letting the obviously fizzed up donnelly away with a good few fouls in the first half.

I was realy impressed with the defence today and their system of pushing up and then running in as the kicker began to run to get in behind the attacker to win every header from a set peice. I have never seen the back line so organised before.

Jackson was superb when he came on and it was just a shame saints were trying to slow play down otherwise he could have been set loose. His stroke was very un lucky but for his one effort on goal I think he looked a lot sharper and much better the forward than peso. I was just not impressed by his non willingness to jump for headers. Milne was superb and Hardie was also top notch through the game. MacDonald took his goal really well but i just wish he had tried that slightist bit harder. Jackson was a nice injection of pace that the team needed.

Overall i was happy with the performance, I think we were very lucky Partick did not score 1, thier number 11 was superb and played some great cross field balls, but saying that the got some very lucky breaks on the ball.

top of the league great effort.

[dave mc]

Happy birthday Tiger,agree with almost everything you posted,but Mensing and Jackson were defo not brilliant, but we'll put it down to over indulgence,at an early age!!

[garydavidson]

jackson was in great positions and had good runs but because by he time he came on not everyone was looking to play the forward balls.

As for mensing maybe i was mistaken by the players im still getting to know them all but im sure he was the guy who never flinched when going in for the tackles in the middle of the park. I know who hardie is and he was also solid in what he went in for. but i may be mistaken.

I got a few funny looks wandering up maryhill road in my saints top this morning and tonight. People were porbably shouting things but the joys of music kept these noises nout :)

[McCallum]

Great all round performance today and no weak links. Good end to end stuff as both teams tried to play some football for a change. Credit to Thistle for their 2nd half performance, as they looked dangerous and probably should have scored. Having said that Ando and McManus were so solid at the back.

Some folk sitting around me constantly give Hardie pelters, which for me is pretty unfair. Fair enough, his first touch is simply woeful, but the shift he puts in week after week is great to see. Himself and Mensing are massive players for us as they do not give the opponents any time on the ball. The amount of balls they won in the midfield today made a big difference.

Credit has to go to Andy Lawrie for his solid performances in the last 3 games. The guy is definitely coming onto a game - he looks more composed every week.

As for Sheerin - he was properly taking the piss.

Mention to the boy McCulloch - as much as he was a complete nutcase, his banter was first class. It's great to see a player actually trying to get sent off. Shame on Dick for taking that opportunity away from him.

[Radford 72]

I can't believe anyone can find the time to starting picking faults with players after yesterday! The whole team played well.

Our players have limitations, they are not world beaters, hence why they are playing at this level. We have to accept Martin Hardie doesn't have a great first touch, Willie McLaren isn't going to push guys off the ball but they bring other things to the team. Hardie won some great headers yesterday and played a great pass to Peaso for the second... so what if every now and again his attempted first touch lands in Almondbank!

[StDuncM]

Jeez Kev.

2 firsts.

Up early on a sunday and sounding bullish about a Saints performance!

Whatever next?

[slf]

top score.well done.never join up with other mobs,its just not the done thing.bring on the huns

[HeronAddict]

This was my first game since Ross County in August, and what a game to come back to Perth for - Saints were fantastic! There wasn't a single player who was a failure yesterday, and the improvement in Steven Anderson as a player is incredible. McManus and him were absolutely rock-solid, and while Goran doesn't look as comfortable at left-back as he did last season as a wing-back, he was still sound defensively and had the same coolness about him. Also, despite all the stick he's been getting on here, Lawrie was impressive too. Soild, good tackling and made some intelligent forward runs.

It was the midfield that really impressed me yesterday though. Ok, Hardie's first touch is a tackle but his aerial presence offers us a great option when the passing football isn't working, and he'll run for the team all day. It looks like we've found Mensing's best position as well - nobody got past him yesterday and when he won the ball he played it simple and hardly gave it away. And then there's Sheerinho, or The Wizard. Its impossible to believe this is the same player I gave so much stick to in his first season. He was simply a class apart yesterday. Finally McLaren, without doing anything startling, was effective, and him simply being there gives our midfiled a much better balance than last year when we tried to play 4-4-2.

Having not seen Saints much this season, its hard for me to judge whether we missed Scotland, but it didn't seem like it to me. Both strikers were making really intelligent runs, providing good options to thier teamates, and I thought Peaso in particular looked really sharp considering the lack of football he's had. His finish for the goal was just emphatic.

Its hard to see on that display just how Partick were top of the league. They had a 5 minute spell in the second half where they threated, but apart from that we were in total control. Keep playing like that (and if Coyle stays...) and I might need to come back for a title party in May!

[Shaggy Jenkins]

The midfield seemed to vanish in the second half, we should have had them flattend them in the first half, which seems to be something owen says after every game.


Its not just me then :D

Good performance good game....starting to think could be or year 8)

[Billy Budd]

Nothing much to add to the other posts. Excellent performance from Saints yesterday. It might have been different if Partick had scored when they had their good 20 minutes in the second half but we looked pretty comfortable even during that spell.

Wasn't it great watching Kenny Arthur sprint to take every goal kick after spending the first 25 minutes wasting as much time as he could.

[Hazel1884]

Good performance good game....starting to think could be or year 8)

I am too scared to get overly confident.......

I had started to then got brought down with a bump with the Clyde performance....now when anyone says it could be our year it's met with the reply of "Aye well Oweny's doing a good job getting the best out the players and they are working well together so who knows" everyone that speaks to me about our league position gets that.

I ain't countin no chickens!

[Saintkev]

Ref was poor second half & how he could book McManus & Sheerin for one foul I don`t know but I think he may have thougt it was elbows.

That's Sheerin's first challenge in three seasons let alone that game and he tried to pull out of it... daft referee fudd!

[MUZZ]

good atmosphere yesterday i have to say

[saint in exile]

C`mon the Saints! Get inta the Huns!

[Radford 72]

Highlights here (http://ptfc.co.uk/pressbox/video_highlights.asp).

[MUZZ]

Highlights here (http://ptfc.co.uk/pressbox/video_highlights.asp).

2 quality goals

[MUZZ]

who was their no.3? the fat twat at left back. he was getting some stick and started giving it back to a lad in front of me

[Radford 72]

who was their no.3? the fat twat at left back. he was getting some stick and started giving it back to a lad in front of me
Scott McCulloch. Great to see a player not afraid to give a bit of banter back! Hope the bloke in front of you took it in good spirits!

[shandon saint]

Highlights here (http://ptfc.co.uk/pressbox/video_highlights.asp).


quality man...

how did they get the BIG MAN to do their commentary ??! :***:

[Dev]

how did they get the BIG MAN to do their commentary ??! :***:

I love the way he's completely unable to pronounce the "t" in St Johnstone, it's more like St Johnson listening to him. :D

[Radford 72]

how did they get the BIG MAN to do their commentary ??! :***:
I love the way he's completely unable to pronounce the "t" in St Johnstone, it's more like St Johnson listening to him. :D
The poor guy was in denial when he did the Firhill highlights. After Jason scored his third he announces "Thistle 5, Sin Johnson 1"! :***:

[MUZZ]

who was their no.3? the fat twat at left back. he was getting some stick and started giving it back to a lad in front of me
Scott McCulloch. Great to see a player not afraid to give a bit of banter back! Hope the bloke in front of you took it in good spirits!

aye, lucky he did.

[Saintkev]

I love teh fact he growls everything... "GrrrRoberts... Grrrreat save Brian HWalliweill, Corrrrner Thistle!"

[Saintkev]

And fair play McCulloch... need more banter like that!

[Moray Blue]

Not sure if I've missed this being posted elsewhere, but the goals from this game are available on the Thistle website.

http://ptfc.co.uk/pressbox/video_highlights.asp