Saints vs. Ross County 02/01/07

[SaintSam1884]

The first game of the new year against one of the poorer sides in the division although the last time we played Ross County just last month, we threw away a two goal lead to concede two points and leave Dingwall with just a draw. Since that game, Saints form looks like this:

Livingston (L), Gretna (L), Dundee (W), Hamilton (D), Clyde (W)

Whilst their recent form looks like this:

Hamilton (D), Dundee (L), Partick (L), Gretna (L), Airdrie (W), Queens (W)

Much of a muchness although you could argue their form is much more expected than our recent poor run of results post Ibrox. Our last three games have saw us get back on our feet and yield a total of 7 points from 9. In my opinion it's no coincidence that this has coincided with the return of captain Kevin James.

Disappointing for the fans that the game today was cancelled but a chance to get a few players who had been suffering knocks an extra few days to recover from them. I think we should persist with the 3-5-2 formation and play:

Cuthbert

Anderson McManus James

Lawrie Hardie Sheridan Sheerin Stanic

MacDonald/Milne/Scotland

I've kept the choice of Sheridan incase he does choose to make this his last match before assuming his role at Barrow. If he chooses not to, I'd substitute him for Mensing. I'd brought Lawrie back into the right wing-back role as in my opinion he's the most naturally suited player we have to this position. Other side picks itself with Stanic providing the same old magic we know and love from him and Hardie remains a feature.

Upfront I can't quite decide. Jason Scotland should do well against a poor defence like Countys but we came onto a game after he was subbed against Clyde and indeed that was when we secured the victory. I'll leave this particular headache to Coyle.

We did defeat County with relative ease the last time we faced them at McDiarmid Park. Let's hope for much more of the same on Tuesday afternoon. 8)

[MUZZ]

i'd still start jason, but if he wasnt doing much by half time i'd stick peaso on after the break. not expecting a great quality game but as long as we get the points i'll be happy

[Nairn Saint]

Again, I'd settle for a scappy one nil Saints win. It's results that matter more than performances!

[The Real Saints]

As I've already mentioned in another topic, I'd like to be a bit more adventurous and attacking, playing with a line-up something like this.

Cuthbert

Anderson McManus James

Hardie Sheridan/Mensing Sheerin Stanic

Scotland

Milne MacDonald

Subs: Halliwell, Lawrie, Sheridan/Mensing, McLaren, Dobbie.

I've changed my mind about Dobbie. He shouldn't start ahead of two strikers, Milne and MacDonald, who are scoring goals at the moment.
I would consider giving Dobbie his chance against Ayr in the cup though.
Owen will probably pick something along the same lines as SaintSam, which I actually wouldn't mind. There has to be consistency in the formation/line-up starting sooner rather than later.

[Steve Maskrey]

The team will be the same as Clyde, I reckon with either Sheridan playing his last game or McInnes making his debut. Jason should start again and cause their defence a few problems. A lot will depend on RC's tactics, if they'll come out and try to attack us, that will leave a lot of spaces for us to take advantage of or if they come out looking for a draw like Clyde then we may look at set pieces to try and get past them

[SaintSam1884]

Hardie cannot play wide right in a 3-4-1-2, he'll get taken time and time again. :shock:

[saint_markperth]

does not work with 3 at the back, id go for

Cuthbert

Lawrie McManus James Stanic

Mensing Sheridan hardie Sheerin

Milne MacDonald

Subs, Halliwell,Anderson,McInnes,McLaren,Scotland

[The Real Saints]

Hardie cannot play wide right in a 3-4-1-2, he'll get taken time and time again. :shock:


Oops. :oops:
How about Mensing wide right, and Hardie in the centre with Sheerin then?

[williamwonka]

i think the o.c will go for

cuthbert
anderson james mcmanus stanic
lawrie mensing hardie sheerin
peaso scotland


came in a dream last night as i was making a new everlasting gob-stopper.

i could be totally wrong though! would be funny

[sjm89]

im looking forward to this game now. think lawrie should come in for sheridan if hes gone if not the mensing. i would stick to 3-5-2 and line up:
cuthbert, lawrie, stanic, ando, james, mcmanus, mensing/sheridan, hardie, sheerin, scotland, milne, SUBS: bryn, mensing/sheridan, mcdonald, mcinnes, jackson,

[Saint Hayley]

im looking forward to this game, new year and all, so hopefully this year we can get the results needed to get us on the top where we belong. :D

i would go

cuthbert
anderson james mcmanus stanic
lawrie mensing hardie sheerin
peaso savo


lets hope its a good game of fitbaw and that we get the 3 points in the bag to kick start this year. :D

[sjm89]

im looking forward to this game, new year and all, so hopefully this year we can get the results needed to get us on the top where we belong. :D

i would go

cuthbert
anderson james mcmanus stanic
lawrie mensing hardie sheerin
peaso savo

lets hope its a good game of fitbaw and that we get the 3 points in the bag to kick start this year. :D


3 points is a must to keep pressure up on gretna and maybe start to pull away from the pack. disagree with ando rightback and lawrie right midfield. Ando is a far better centre back than right back and lawrie is no right midfielder. and would aslo play scotland in place od peaso as scotland can provide that something and peaso would be great coming of the bench at the tired defence.

[Radford 72]

I'd play...

Cuthbert

Lawrie - McManus - James - Stanic

Mensing - Hardie - Sheridan/McInnes - Sheerin

Scotland - MacDonald

Subs: Halliwell, Ando, McLaren, Savo, Dobbie.

Coyle is more likely to play...

Cuthbert

Ando - McManus - James

Mensing - Hardie - Sheridan/McInnes - Sheerin - Stanic

Scotland - Milne

Subs: Halliwell, Lawrie, McLaren, Peaso, Dobbie.

[rickardo]

thought sheridan had gone :?:

[mainstand]

I'd play...

Cuthbert

Lawrie - McManus - James - Stanic

Mensing - Hardie - Sheridan/McInnes - Sheerin

Scotland - MacDonald

Subs: Halliwell, Ando, McLaren, Savo, Dobbie.

Coyle is more likely to play...

Cuthbert

Ando - McManus - James

Mensing - Hardie - Sheridan/McInnes - Sheerin - Stanic

Scotland - Milne

Subs: Halliwell, Lawrie, McLaren, Peaso, Dobbie.

maybe he wouldn't play the same team as you as he might know something about injuries that you don't :wink:

[blueheaven]

I'd play...

_________________Cuthbert

_______Anderson___McManus___James

Mensing__Sheridan/McInnes___Sheerin___Stanic

_________________McLaren

____________MacDonald__Milne


Subs: Halliwell, Scotland, Dobbie, Lawrie, Hardie

[Steve Maskrey]

I think your second line up, Radders, will be the one who lines up tomorrow. I believe the team will be the same as the one who beat Clyde with the only change likely to be McInnes in for Sheridan if he doesn't play his last game for us. Only change on the bench will be Dobbie in place of Jacko.

I watched the dvd of the Rangers game today and think its a shame we couldn't extend the loan of Lawson or he didn't pick up the suspensions. He was outstanding in that game and his passing game between the wide players was the difference between the two teams. Hopefully McInnes will fill that void

[Radford 72]

I think your second line up, Radders, will be the one who lines up tomorrow.
Yep, I think Coyle will go for that but I'm not comfortable with the back three we're trying to play. I think a four is much more solid and we've been having a few problems at the back so would rather we just got back to basics.

I think Sheridan playing will be totally dependant on whether McInnes papers come through and whether he's fit.

[SJFC1988]

cuthbert


Anderson Mcmanus James


lawrie Hardie McIness Sheerin Stanic


Milne Scotland

Subs: Haliwell, Mensing, Mclaren, Dobbie, MacDonald

Prediction 3-1 saints :D

[The Real Saints]

Apparently, Stephen Dobbie won't be in the match squad today, as he is appearing as a trialist for Partick in their match against Clyde. :(

[Broon]

Apparently, Stephen Dobbie won't be in the match squad today, as he is appearing as a trialist for Partick in their match against Clyde. :(

I'm pretty sure you cant appear as a trialist if you are contracted to another club.

[SaintSam1884]

Apparently, Stephen Dobbie won't be in the match squad today, as he is appearing as a trialist for Partick in their match against Clyde. :(

Yep, Coyle doesn't want Dobbie.

I don't think Saints should let him go for nothing though. If Partick want him, they should pay for him, or we keep him until the end of the season. Win/win situation.

[The Real Saints]

Apparently, Stephen Dobbie won't be in the match squad today, as he is appearing as a trialist for Partick in their match against Clyde. :(

I'm pretty sure you cant appear as a trialist if you are contracted to another club.

Indeed, but I have heard that he has been released from his contract. At least, that is what is being said on P&B.

[mainstand]

A bit strange given that he was training with Saints yesterday morning.

[Grovesred]

Following this one from my desk at work as today's not a holiday in this neck of the woods :x but fingers crossed for Saints to add to the sum total of Grovesred happiness by matching or bettering York's victory yesterday.

[Nairn Saint]

Hopefully we can give the Dingwall Sister Kissers (censored) a doing today. Glad to see big Lee Wilkie should start for them and even better there is supposedly a doubt about Don Cowie playing!

Come on Saints!

[The Real Saints]

This is the first time in my life that I hope Dobbie will play terribly. :***:

[Nairn Saint]

This is the first time in my life that I hope Dobbie will play terribly. :***:

Official site has him on the bench for Saints!

[The Real Saints]

YASS!!!

Bad news though that Kevin James is injured. :(

[dave mc]

1-0 Mensing(11)

[dave mc]

HT

[Nairn Saint]

So much for Cowie being doubtful! 1:1

[Scobby_SJFC]

1-1 Cowie

3-0 Gretna, anybody else getting more pessamistic about the title?

[Nairn Saint]

McLaren off for Dyer after 67 mins. What's that about at 1:1?

[Scobby_SJFC]

Cowie he has some record against us!

[perthsaint1884]

2-1 mcmanus

[Scobby_SJFC]

St Johnstone 2-1 Ross County: A McManus (90)

YASSSSS !!!!!

[Nairn Saint]

2:1 I can't cope!

[Grovesred]

Flipping yes!

I can go home now :P

[Scobby_SJFC]

Keeps us in the title race, JUST!

Gretna still look really strong, how many time can we keep scoring last gasp winners?

[Coltrane]

Ouch, that was close...

[SaintSam1884]

Allan McManus will never score a better goal in his career: Fact.

Jason Scotland - man of the match by a country mile - won us a corner right at the death. I can't remember the corner, I just remember the ball falling to the unmarked McManus on the right side of the 18 yard box where he takes a touch, lines the ball up for himself and sends a beauty of a drive high into the left hand corner of the net. All of the players just stood and watched as Samson was left with no chance of getting anywhere near this peach of a strike. Those pessimists who booed and left early in these past two matches will be gutted. :D

All of that said, what a stinking performance from Saints. With James injured, Coyle had literally no choice but to revert back to 4-4-2 although it was more like 8-0-2 after we went ahead with Saints seemingly very happy to lap up all that Ross County had to throw at us without getting forward ourselves. Sound familiar? Something Coyle needs to sort out. Good cross from the left met Simon Mensings head in the 11th minute to send us 1-0 up but from then on until County equalised, we offered nothing in attack and just defended. Shocking way to play at home.

For Countys equaliser, Willie McLaren was guilty of giving away possession in the middle of the park with a bizarre kick into the sky. Their equaliser was reminiscent of our first goal, nothing spectacular - decent cross, decent header. Probably could have been prevented had we been more alert. The game became absolutely dire after that. Andy Jackson replaced Martin Hardie on the right wing and Willie Dyer replaced Willie McLaren who was taking disgusting abuse from the stands. Stanic moved into midfield alongside Sheerin and eventually the shattered Milne was replaced by MacDonald. I felt though that our most dangerous player remained Jason Scotland, he was carving out all of the real chances. Towards the end he got on the ball, ran into the box, put Peter MacDonald basically one on one with Samson but he tried to make more room for himself when he should have shot first time and Samson had enough time to make the save.

Andy Jackson had a couple of great efforts after that, which I think Jason was heavily involved in too and of course he was the reason we got the winner. We have been found out and are living on borrowed time. The midfield needs an injection of pace and it needs a leader. Fast. The most important area of any side is the weakest in ours and unless Coyle strengthens here, Gretna will run away from us with ease.

One more thing, when did Samson get good? :shock:

[Mr Spoons]

Not the best performance, but 6 points out of two poorish displays keep us (just) in with a shout as well as showing that the team - and in particular Jason today - at least keep playing till the end of the game.

Sad to hear some foolish folk in the East stand booing McLaren's every touch after his mistake which led to County's equaliser. Just what do these numpties think they are achieving by booing a player during the game?

Glad to see a larger number of Saints fans, myself included, telling them to get behind the team!

[Ali91]

Sad to hear some foolish folk in the East stand booing McLaren's every touch after his mistake which led to County's equaliser. Just what do these numpties think they are achieving by booing a player during the game?

Glad to see a larger number of Saints fans, myself included, telling them to get behind the team!

exactly. i thought mclaren had an alright game today and his confidence is not going to be done any favours by some idiots in the stands. argghhh i hate the moaners :evil:

[blueheaven]

Another rubbish game with a terrific ending - if only our players could get it into their heads to really go for it and try to kill teams off when the opportunities are there, we'd have won both of our last two games by comfortable margins. I thought today we played really nice football right up until Mensing's nicely-worked goal, but from then on we seemed to just be happy to let that really poor Ross County team come at us. It would have been a travesty if County had left here with a point - they really are a rubbish side nowadays.

It was great to see Dobbie getting onto the bench, but disappointing that he didn't get a chance. Also good to see Jackson finally getting a run out. Have to say, though, that how Coyle could once again put Peaso on the bench baffles me. His favouritism for Milne and Scotland seems to come very close to costing us - Peaso's better than either of them at the moment. Despite what's been said above, I think Scotland was again pretty poor.

I'd love to see Stanic left in the attacking role he finished the game in. It made a huge difference when he got moved forward - what a breath of fresh air it is to see someone playing on the wing who's actually willing to run up to the byline and send crosses in. Having said that, the people who were booing McLaren are ****s.

[SaintSam1884]

It turns out Peter MacDonald got into a tangle with the ball as opposed to looking to make more room for himself...

I dunno what's worse! :***:

[Broon]

It was great to see Dobbie getting onto the bench, but disappointing that he didn't get a chance. Also good to see Jackson finally getting a run out. Have to say, though, that how Coyle could once again put Peaso on the bench baffles me. His favouritism for Milne and Scotland seems to come very close to costing us - Peaso's better than either of them at the moment. Despite what's been said above, I think Scotland was again pretty poor.

I'd love to see Stanic left in the attacking role he finished the game in. It made a huge difference when he got moved forward - what a breath of fresh air it is to see someone playing on the wing who's actually willing to run up to the byline and send crosses in. Having said that, the people who were booing McLaren are c**ts.

I agree with lots of that. Peaso is our best player by a long shot. He linked more times with Scotland in 10 minutes than Savo has with him all season. Also, Savo was pretty gash again, missing a sitter (header) from 4 yards and his minging first touch let him down when McLaren sent him through.

Stanic was superb on the left of midfield and showed McLaren exactly how to be a winger. As for McLaren, the abuse from the crowd is harsh but he really is shite. 3 times he just hooofed the ball 100 feet in the air (one of which cost us the goal) for no apparent reason. He cant go past players (or wont). What happened to the great wee winger we seen at Airdrie?

Not sure why we went all defensive after the first goal, we are simply not good enough to do that. Coyle needs to sort the players out and get them working harder to increase a lead.

[monkey]

Pretty much agree with saintsams opinion of the game.

I am glad we took 3 points, that were vital to keep in with a chance of promotion.

[pavel]

We were stinking.
We punt the ball all to often and don't play it on the deck.
Mainly Mcmanus and Lawire being the guilty culprits.
Coyle made some decent changes, giving both Dyer and Jackson a chance.
McLaren had another stinker, he had his chance and blew it. I would tear up his contract now. If your that crap at your job you get the sack, simple. :shock:

[templeofsaints]

Thought we should have won by more. As for McLaren being the scapegoat for the goal I'm more concerned about the lack of marking on Cowie when the bloody cross came in - when McLaren lost possession, the ball was still at the halfway line - there were plenty of other blue shirts that failed to prevent the goal. To my mind, apart from the massive punts, McLaren didn't do much wrong today - certainly no worse than some of the others (Mr Sheerin can you spend some time practicing the freekicks and corners for the weekend please?)

Other than that today really showed up how poor we are for a midfield selection just now - for OC to stick 3 strikers on the bench and no midfielder almost caught us out when Hardie had to go off injured - as it was I don't think Jackson was too bad on the right wing but wasn't perhaps as effective as he could be.

It was a hard three points but IMHO shows that we badly need to strengthen the squad in midfield - the lack of cover today was really worrying.

[saint_markperth]

Thought we should have won by more. As for McLaren being the scapegoat for the goal I'm more concerned about the lack of marking on Cowie when the bloody cross came in - when McLaren lost possession, the ball was still at the halfway line - there were plenty of other blue shirts that failed to prevent the goal. To my mind, apart from the massive punts, McLaren didn't do much wrong today - certainly no worse than some of the others

exactly, he played well and i think that the only reason coyle took him off was to protect him,



Willie McLaren Supporters Club

[SaintSam1884]

I too agree that McLaren was having a decent match today.

I think his only problem is that he's a bit all over the place at times but then in turn I think that's not entirely his fault. Our midfield is so poor, you have older players, slower players and players playing out of position. There's very little cohesion and many players don't seem to know what their job is. I think if McLaren stuck to the left wing like glue, he'd be able to improve on his game. I think he strayed from that area too much today to look for the ball.

I can't remember the home support ever booing one of our own when he's on the ball. I thought it was out of line and typical of the thick folk we seem to have in our stands.

[HertsSaintee]

Another Jekyll and Hyde performance I thought. Shades of the Hamilton game before Christmas - although we didn't play as well as we perhaps did in the first half at Douglas Park, we were comfortably on top and probably deserved to go in with more than the one goal lead. We were playing some nice passing stuff on the ground, and a few nice moves (including a well worked goal) showed County up to be as poor as they were when they were last at McD. Second half was a different story. We seemed to lose the head completely and resort to an aimless long ball route 1 game, which with Wilkie and Co at the back was never going to work. After their equaliser at which the defensive marking was truly shocking (not McLaren's fault, Goran should have shouted for it - and the booing was a disgrace, he'd had a pretty good game really), we seemed to completely lose our shape. The unlikely introduction of Willie Dyer, giving Goran more of a forward role gave us a breath of fresh air and I thought it probably turned it for us, as we suddenly realised we were effective coming forward agin. Kudos to OC for that one. I really thought it wasn't going to be our day when Jacko missed the two chances at the end (wonder if Dobbie would have buried either of them), but unlikely hero in McManus for his cracker of a winner. Goran probably gets MoM from me - our most inventive and skilful player - sometimes he really is a delight to watch. However, the obvious thing was that we lacked leadership and urgency on the pitch again today with Cap'n Kev's absence. How long is he out for this time? Hopefully McInnes' influence will be a strong one for us if Kev's out.


Herts

[Nairn Saint]

How did Lee Wilkie play? He could have been playing for Saints if past rumours were correct.

[lethamsaintee]

At times today i thought we passed the ball about well. Hardie looked to be having a good game, always trying to play a killer ball, and he was getting stuck in.

I have to admit i was getting a wee bit worried towards the end though, when we seemed to be trying to walk the ball in. We have saw that a hundred times before at McDiarmid and thankfully today we kept plugging away and got our reward.

[Cagey]

Didn`t manage to get to the game today as I had to work . Thought I might make it but got involved in something. Looks like I was lucky.

Glad to see were are still fighting to the last minute to win games but why wait `til now. If we had turned a few more of these draws into wins we would still be in the title race. As BH also said why not put the pressure on whilst we are in the lead & see off a few teams.

I looked at teletext at 4.45 & saw it was 1-1 & all the other teams apart form Gretna dropping points & thought here we go again.

What it change it makes to your mood when you find out youve won instead of draw & are still in with an outside chance. I do feel we can`t afford to drop another point until we meet Gretna.

[HertsSaintee]

How did Lee Wilkie play?

Not overly impressed. He won ALL of the route-one-in-the-air rubbish we were serving up in the second half, although was turned a couple of times by Savo and Jason on the ground. Has a physical side to his game - hauled down the aformentioned front line several times, some of which we got and some not.


Herts

[SaintSam1884]

At times today i thought we passed the ball about well. Hardie looked to be having a good game, always trying to play a killer ball, and he was getting stuck in.

I have to admit i was getting a wee bit worried towards the end though, when we seemed to be trying to walk the ball in. We have saw that a hundred times before at McDiarmid and thankfully today we kept plugging away and got our reward.

I prefer watching us try to walk the ball into the net than our aimless punts up the park! :wink:

[lethamsaintee]

At times today i thought we passed the ball about well. Hardie looked to be having a good game, always trying to play a killer ball, and he was getting stuck in.

I have to admit i was getting a wee bit worried towards the end though, when we seemed to be trying to walk the ball in. We have saw that a hundred times before at McDiarmid and thankfully today we kept plugging away and got our reward.

I prefer watching us try to walk the ball into the net than our aimless punts up the park! :wink:

I do prefer that passing game too, but they were either taking a touch to much, or delaying the final ball too much.

Its not good for the heart.

[sjm89]

i thought was another one of those games were in previous seasons we would of drawn in previous seasons. thought Jackson and Dyer played well when they came on. Goran was great at left midfield. Jason played well and deserved a goal. Andy Lawrie was man of the match though. great in defence and done well going forward. a rocket from Mc Manus for the second to reminded of Matt glennon against them last year.

[Nairn Saint]

How did Lee Wilkie play?

Not overly impressed. He won ALL of the route-one-in-the-air rubbish we were serving up in the second half, although was turned a couple of times by Savo and Jason on the ground. Has a physical side to his game - hauled down the aformentioned front line several times, some of which we got and some not.


Herts

Cheers Herts. Glad he's back playing and, from what you've said, glad he's not playing for us!

[Mikeec]

How can you praise Jackson - If Scotland had missed those chances he would have been slated - Savo like wise - Jackson is so over rated and will never make it at Saints!!

[nips]

How can you praise Jackson - If Scotland had missed those chances he would have been slated - Savo like wise - Jackson is so over rated and will never make it at Saints!!

I don't think Savo would have got slated for missing those - he missed two sitters himself but didn't get anywhere near the abuse I'm sure Scotland would have got.

Think you are being too harsh on Jackson though, we've not seen enough of him yet to decide if he's overrated - time will tell.

[SaintSam1884]

I thought Jackson did well playing on the wing, and also did well to get into the position to have the chances in the first place. I liked the way he was lurking. :P

[MUZZ]

. Right at this point OC is looking very much like Stark with 'slightly better PR' that is cutting him some slack, cos lets face it, its not really better is it?

one more season and stark wouldve got us up. i stand by that statement........... shoot me down if you wish...

[Shaggy Jenkins]

that was pish poor today again, and again papers over some hellishly big cracks.

Time for OC to look to those much vaunted contacts and start building a team that will get us up next year, or even keep us with the slimest of hopes beyond January. At present I am finding it very hard to be excited about the games. Indeed any optimisim I might of had about a team being built is slowly ebbing away. Right at this point OC is looking very much like Stark with 'slightly better PR' that is cutting him some slack, cos lets face it, its not really better is it? This transfer window is make or break for him I hope he pulls out something soon

[Shaggy Jenkins]

. Right at this point OC is looking very much like Stark with 'slightly better PR' that is cutting him some slack, cos lets face it, its not really better is it?

one more season and stark wouldve got us up. i stand by that statement........... shoot me down if you wish...

You could well be right, but it still wisna great. And would we of been able to survive alla Totten and Sturrock era

[MUZZ]

. Right at this point OC is looking very much like Stark with 'slightly better PR' that is cutting him some slack, cos lets face it, its not really better is it?

one more season and stark wouldve got us up. i stand by that statement........... shoot me down if you wish...

You could well be right, but it still wisna great. And would we of been able to survive alla Totten and Sturrock era

still reckon we had better quality players, played better fitba.................
we've hardly improved since his last season...........

you mention totten and sturrock but we were a different kettle of fish then with money to spend etc..............

might have only got one season up with stark but one season is better than one sluggling it away with the likes of clyde and hamilton and good old airdrie............

[Broon]

that was pish poor today again, and again papers over some hellishly big cracks.

This is a good point. Had we not rescued victories in our last 2 home games, would Coyle's peg be a wee bit 'shoogly'? As is stands, we're still in with a shout of the league but if we had slipped away, with our team lacking any sort of order, would Saints fans have lost faith in the OC?

I suppose the important point is we did score the late goals and did win those matches. Its a fine line between success and failure.

[Shaggy Jenkins]

. Right at this point OC is looking very much like Stark with 'slightly better PR' that is cutting him some slack, cos lets face it, its not really better is it?

one more season and stark wouldve got us up. i stand by that statement........... shoot me down if you wish...

You could well be right, but it still wisna great. And would we of been able to survive alla Totten and Sturrock era

still reckon we had better quality players, played better fitba.................
we've hardly improved since his last season...........

you mention totten and sturrock but we were a different kettle of fish then with money to spend etc..............

might have only got one season up with stark but one season is better than one sluggling it away with the likes of clyde and hamilton and good old airdrie............

Actually think you are right in alot you say there, yes I was/am not a Stark fan, alot of that had to do with not liking his 'brand' of football. We havent improved since then, many people will say we have, we havent.

Hence the Stark with Good PR comment, If this was Stark we would all be up in arms right about now, but OC seems to have some sort of hold. I think with him being a new young manager we are all hoping he wil be lke Luggy. Unfortunatly though even when we were getting pumped from Stenhousmuir Luggy had a plan for the club and a style that he knew he wanted to play and we could see it. Right now I am not seeing the plan, some of the chopping and changing smack of straw cluching and just throwing players in different formations and lets hope this works...........how I hope I am wrong, and we sign 3 quality midfielders in the window, as we have 4 forwards who could be up into Roddys 21 odd goals if they got the bloody service.

[Shaggy Jenkins]

that was pish poor today again, and again papers over some hellishly big cracks.

This is a good point. Had we not rescued victories in our last 2 home games, would Coyle's peg be a wee bit 'shoogly'? As is stands, we're still in with a shout of the league but if we had slipped away, with our team lacking any sort of order, would Saints fans have lost faith in the OC?

I suppose the important point is we did score the late goals and did win those matches. Its a fine line between success and failure.

Totally...and what scares me is luck only takes you so far, where are we when luck runs out, as skill, composure and organisation left the building 4 months ago!!

[MUZZ]

fair play shaggy,

stark would likely have kept a decent team together for that next season but we got JC (SOME WANTED HIM, SOME DIDNT) who dragged us into the gutter end of div 1 and owen coyle had to salvage it. many people think is sqaud is the best in the league at the moment but its nowhere near it. sheerin, stanic,savo and scotland would cut it in the spl but are getting dragged down by the rest of them.........

again.shoot me down

[Davey]

again.shoot me down

Gives a gun then...

[MUZZ]

again.shoot me down

Gives a gun then...

bang bang youre dead.........


copyright, dirty pretty things, 2006

[McCallum]

that was pish poor today again, and again papers over some hellishly big cracks.

This is a good point. Had we not rescued victories in our last 2 home games, would Coyle's peg be a wee bit 'shoogly'? As is stands, we're still in with a shout of the league but if we had slipped away, with our team lacking any sort of order, would Saints fans have lost faith in the OC?

I suppose the important point is we did score the late goals and did win those matches. Its a fine line between success and failure.

Totally...and what scares me is luck only takes you so far, where are we when luck runs out, as skill, composure and organisation left the building 4 months ago!!
Agreed. The joy of winning the last two games in the dying seconds just masks the fact that we have some pretty big problems, primarily in the midfield. Let's hope that McInnes' experience will make a difference and bring in some organisation. Talking of organisation, we definitely miss Kevin James when he is out. As much as some folk don't rate him, his leadership skills are brilliant and I think he's a massive player for us.

It is indeed a fine line between success and failure and at the moment we seem to be getting the breaks that went against us earlier in the season. We need to take advantage of this and try and get a run going to catch Gretna - if the players put their mind to it, they can do it.

[Linky]

Hopefully McInnes will be exactly what we need: someone who can have a look up & pass the ball rather than punting up the field to no one in particular.
Cuthbert's kicking was really bad. McManus was my man of the match (with Ando possibly 2nd) as they played ok. Everyone else was pretty terrible.

[Cagey]

Says in papers Cowie scored with a looping shot. How come the usual suspects were not on here having a go at the Cat.

[imported_Jamie_Beatson]

because it was a looping header from about 8 yards out that he could do next to nothing about!

[SaintSam1884]

because it was a looping header from about 8 yards out that he could do next to nothing about!

Yes, but he should have tried to save something he would never have been able to save, because it would have made some fans happy!

:wink:

[mainstand]

because it was a looping header from about 8 yards out that he could do next to nothing about!

Yes, but he should have tried to save something he would never have been able to save, because it would have made some fans happy!

:wink:

I think if it had been Halliwell in goals he would have got the blame for it. I think Cuthbert has been chipped so much in recent years that he is now almost stuck to his line.

[dunblanemike]

because it was a looping header from about 8 yards out that he could do next to nothing about!

Yes, but he should have tried to save something he would never have been able to save, because it would have made some fans happy!

:wink:

I think if it had been Halliwell in goals he would have got the blame for it. I think Cuthbert has been chipped so much in recent years that he is now almost stuck to his line.
lmao - I love your tongue in cheek comments mainstand! It's funny how if one says something often enough, one comes to believe it in the end - as if it were gospel. The ball did NOT go over Cuthberts head, 'though it would have done had he been off his line (and he'd of been slated then!). the poor guy cannae win with some folk. I'm just glad the back-row neds didnt start booing him like they did to another saints player.

[dave mc]

because it was a looping header from about 8 yards out that he could do next to nothing about!

Yes, but he should have tried to save something he would never have been able to save, because it would have made some fans happy!

:wink:

I think if it had been Halliwell in goals he would have got the blame for it. I think Cuthbert has been chipped so much in recent years that he is now almost stuck to his line.
lmao - I love your tongue in cheek comments mainstand! It's funny how if one says something often enough, one comes to believe it in the end - as if it were gospel. The ball did NOT go over Cuthberts head, 'though it would have done had he been off his line (and he'd of been slated then!). the poor guy cannae win with some folk. I'm just glad the back-row neds didnt start booing him like they did to another saints player.

hope that's not a dig at me Mike :wink: