Clyde vs. Saints 17/04/07

[Nairn Saint]

How on earth do Saints pick themselves up for this game? This season has been described as a rollercoaster ride and the players must be drained emotionally and physically after running Celtic close on Saturday.

Gr£tna conspire to keep our league interest going to the wire. Hopefully Saints can get fired up for a tricky trip to the delightful Cumbrenauld and get 3 points to keep the pressure on.

[Radford 72]

Will take a great effort by OC to get the players lifted again for this and he will deserve a lot of credit if he does. The legs will be tired but the minds may be affected too. What works in our favour is Gretna are stumbling (4 goals in 8 games) so we do have a chance if we can win our 3 remaining games.

Squad is going to be stretched and that's before we contend with any knocks from Saturday.

Mensing, McManus and Morais all suspended and Ruti and Dyer still injured. I think Savo was touch-and-go if he was going to make it so might make the bench. Not many options though...

Cuthbert

Lawrie - Anderson - James - Stanic

McLaren - Hardie - McInnes - Sheerin

MacDonald - Scotland

Subbies: Halliwell, Lilley, Jackson, ???, ???

Other two subs from Coyle, Milne and if he wants defensive cover then Gallagher or Monaghan.

[Broggy Man]

This one is so hard two cup finals in a week. This one is probably even more immportant but most wont agree. This will drop the gap to 3 point and really get the asses twitching down in the village but i suspect they are twitching already. Not a happy hunting ground for us by all accounts but well another late night for me some come on rob them piggy banks beg cash of yer parents mug some grannys lie about yer birthdays but whatever you do BE THERE

[HertsSaintee]

Agree it might be hard for OC to lift the players, but he has to somehow try to get them to vent their frustration on Clyde. They are another diving bunch of moaning cheats, so it shouldn't be too difficult for the players to imagine them wearing hooped shirts. We are still in the hunt and by no means was that defeat yesterday the end of our season, so hopefully the more experienced heads will manage to raise it again, knowing that they don't deserve to take nothing out of this season.

Herts

[Tranmere Saintee]

They are another diving bunch of moaning cheats, so it shouldn't be too difficult for the players to imagine them wearing hooped shirts. Herts

This is my big worry, that we end up with yet another clutch of yellow cards and at least 1 sent off against the team closest to the Old Firm for being allowed to get away with anything they like.

[+Super Trooper+]

How on earth do Saints pick themselves up for this game? This season has been described as a rollercoaster ride and the players must be drained emotionally and physically after running Celtic close on Saturday.


Ye but last time we lost to an spl side we went to falkirk 3 days later and came out of it with a comfortable 3 - 0 win! and that was after extra time in the previous game!!! so i dont think that lifting the boys will be a problem. we played brilliant against the hoops and even if we play half as good as that then we will tank em!!!

[Saintkev]

If I was Owen... I would be saying we deserve something this season... it's just three games to go... then there's a long long break... do yourselves some justice, give it your all...

[Thomas_sjfc]

The playeres should just be told to remember the hurt and disapointment they felt at the end of the Hibs and Celtic games and the desire to ensure they do not feel that emotion for a third time in one season should be enough to inspire them.

[dhs]

Hopefully we will beat them and then Gretna will really really start getting worried! But we need to start scoring as many as possible to help our goal difference just incase it comes down to that!

[Steve Maskrey]

Barr, Monaghan and Savo are in the squad and will obviously be on the bench. The comparison from how they responded after losing to Hibs will be what Owen will be putting to the players. Judging by the post match comments from the players, they're desperate not to finish the season as the 'nearly men' so will be keen to go out and do the job against Clyde and keep Gretna sweating.

The Herald reporter at the Gretna game on Saturday finished his report by saying he was off to place a bet on Saints to win the league!

[john1962]

Interesting end to that report right enough Steve.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/football/display.var.1330157.0.0.php

[Scobby_SJFC]

Am so excited again about the league, but only if we can beat Clyde, and they to dont have their problems to seek, according to the BBC preview!

Hopefully get a decent following, but not banking on it being a Tuesday night but hope am wrong!
Thiunk we may struggle with the squad at bursting point, and only 3 games to go

C'mon the blues

[+Super Trooper+]

hahahaha that report in the herald is brilliant!!! is he a part time saintee???? whatever he is, he made it clear that gretna were crap!!!! good news for us!!!! hopeing for a big turnout tomorrow!!! lots of singing and try to encourage an emphatic victory!!! mon the saints (prediction 3-0 scotland, hardie and James)

[Broon]

So excited about tonight. I was thinking this was going to be a nothing game before Saturday but with Saints performance and Gretna drawing its all open again. Come on Saints, lets get into these tonight and run up a cricket score (not a scotland one though).

[Broggy Man]

Ok what is the update on travel delays notice the official site tells us nothing yet

[Ronaldo]

Big effort Saints we can still do it ! :cool:

[Saintkev]

Win this, 3 points, two games... Gretna are guff... 'Mon The Fans!

[Tranmere Saintee]

Ok what is the update on travel delays notice the official site tells us nothing yet

According to Radio Scotland they have started putting out the cones at Broxden and tail backs are already happening:evil:

[templeofsaints]

Only one stand open at Broadwood tonight as well so no doubt their stewards will be in full-on petty official mode

[lethamsaintee]

Really up for this one, starting to believe that we can do it.
I think Gretna may just bottle it, so its up to us now.

COME ON YOU FECKING SAINTS!

[Saintkev]

Tonight's referee?

[Dev]

Tonight's referee?

Scott MacDonald.

[lethamsaintee]

Scott Macdonald

[Saintkev]

Scott MacDonald.

What like?

[sideshowbob1974]

Listening to the match on Radio,Jason Scotland is doing all he can to bugger things up.Not looking interested and missed a sitter.
Hope Coyle puts Lilley or Milne on and takes him off,unless he gives him a kick up the backside.
Its not looking good!!
Typical Saints

[Finners]

It's 0-0. To top it all off - James Grady is getting interviewed.

[Steve Maskrey]

Sounds like Saints are looking a bit jaded from Saturday's game. I would imagine Lilley and Jacko will be on before long if we haven't scored before the hour mark

[Finners]

Sounds like Saints are looking a bit jaded from Saturday's game. I would imagine Lilley and Jacko will be on before long if we haven't scored before the hour mark


You sure - it's owen coyle?

Apparently 500-700 saints fans there. Good save from their keeper - C'MON SAINTEES!

[free the bees]

peaso subbed off?

[^sainteebrian^]

lilly on peaso off ye

[SaintMatt]

Yaassssssssssss

[Aitchy]

Get in 1-0 to the saints!!!

[rammsteinally]

ya beauty

[marc05-sjfc]

Get in there!!...Come on youuu blueeess!!

[SaintMatt]

Hardie 1-0

[free the bees]

come on!!

One more goal

[^sainteebrian^]

brilliant this is getting exciting

[Moray Blue]

brilliant this is getting exciting

understatement of the night young Brian :)

[Finners]

Hardie turning into our important goal scorer - was that not Sheerin's job once?

[^sainteebrian^]

hardies turning into an amazing player ability to score can header with great work rate

[free the bees]

thats them hit the post twice.

[Wycombe Saintee]

Please Please Please hold on!!!!

[saint_markperth]

my arse is going

[Nuggets]

Come on saintees keep it going.

[^sainteebrian^]

jackson on for scotland

[TheBigCheese]

Come on, keep it together...

[^sainteebrian^]

this is saints at their best ,keeping us on by a thread

[TheBigCheese]

Sounds like we might be struggling to get a team together for Saturday.

[Aitchy]

I wish the ref would hurry up and blow the fecking whistle!

[marc05-sjfc]

Yessss, 3 points in the bag, bring on Saturday! KEEP THE FAITH!

[Finners]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS. NOW I'M A CLYDE FAN!!!!!

Gretna 1-2 Clyde, C'MON!

[TheBigCheese]

YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

C'mon Clyde on Saturday!

[^sainteebrian^]

brilliant sat is a must win and gretna must lose then were equal then its the st johnstone "thing" of the down to the last match

[Nuggets]

WooHoo nice one.

[Nairn Saint]

Magic result for Owen's heros! :)

[Aitchy]

Brilliant, great result for us. Big Mad Martin has surely got to be player of the year. All the Gretna players at the game tonight will be worried. A few weeks ago i thought the league was over, now im not so sure!

[saint_markperth]

someone must be looking down on us

[^sainteebrian^]

YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

C'mon Clyde on Saturday!

i thought it was qos at home on sat :S

[sleepless]

I've been frantically playing the Playforyourclub game, pretending this match wasn't happening, but peeking at the score every five minutes.
Thank God it's over....

[Moray Blue]

Get in there - is that the sound of breaking glass i hear from the south-west?

[18SJHedgieFC84]

i thought it was qos at home on sat :S

Who've Gretna got you knob!

[^sainteebrian^]

theve got clyde on sat ye i know that

[Cagey]

Checked teletext & it showed 0-0 & thought its all over now baby blue but double checked on cefax to find it was 1-0 & yer man scored. Hardie has got to be player of the season now.

[18SJHedgieFC84]

So whats your problem then?

[Finners]

Thank **** thats over! I dont give a flying donkey if Clyde deserved something - we deserve so much luck its embarrassing. C'MON CLYDE on saturday. John Robertson the dole muncher being an over biased git.

[saint in exile]

Phew,that was close.What a fantastic effort after the game on Sat.Hope to feck we don`t lose it on goal difference or a Dobbie goal.This Sat. is going to be tense

[perthsaint1884]

Mon the Sainteeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stick in there - Gretna can mess it up for themselves so take advantage when they do :D:D:D

[Scobby_SJFC]

Just back from the game, and a great 3 points!
We were not brilliant tonight, but how many time have we been the better side this seaon and not got what we deserved, so the 2 shots which came back of the Catrs posts tonight, were richly deserved!

And for everybody booing Willy tonight, bear in mind he was playing out of position, in a makeshift team, so go easy on him!!

[john1962]

Just back from the game, and a great 3 points!
We were not brilliant tonight, but how many time have we been the better side this seaon and not got what we deserved, so the 2 shots which came back of the Catrs posts tonight, were richly deserved!

And for everybody booing Willy tonight, bear in mind he was playing out of position, in a makeshift team, so go easy on him!!


No excuse for a lack of workrate and having no bottle. I wasn't booing but found it hard to criticise those that were.

[Cagey]

If we were lucky & got the breaks tonight then we deserve them but wish we had got them on Saturday.

[Broon]

Just back from the game and what a game it was. We were playing with 8 men for the whole of the 2nd half after James got injured, Scotland was knackered and McLaren was shite (the politest term I could think of). To win that game was a monumental effort - superb. Coyle was doing his best to lose the game for us by subbing our 2nd best player whilst keeping a knackered Scotland and a totally ineffective buckfast drinking ned on instead. Bizarre decision and the fans REALLY let him know. Coyles regular 65th minute substitution of Lilley for Peaso has cost us many points this season (has lilley had a shot on goal?) but he was lucky today. Jackson is a much better option and again showed it today with a great last 10 minutes.

The reason we won today? MARTIN HARDIE! The guy is a legend and is worth a billion Willie McLarens. He is everything McLaren is not - he's passionate, he fights, he's a winner, he loves the club and the fans and he WINS us games. Legend - absolute legend.

As for the game, their keeper made 2 wonderful saves and our post made 2 (or 3) wonderful saves. The Cat also pulled out a couple of crackers. After that it was just a battle and one we fought well despite our injuries and passenger.

Special mention to the fans who turned out in numbers and sang their hearts out :) :)

Great win, game on!

[Scobby_SJFC]

Not defending his workrate, but he was played out of position tonight!

[Broon]

Not defending his workrate, but he was played out of position tonight!

I agree, but he's shocking on the left as well. Playing out of position doesnt mean you adopt the ability to petulantly kick out at players who you cant be arsed chasing and attempt to headbut your own team mate. Free Transfer - pile of dog poo.

[Cagey]

He has actually played better on the right than on the left anytime I have seen him.

[lethamsaintee]

McLaren is just so damn frustrating at times, however.......

Three (hopefully) vital points in the bag, and a real battling performance from guys like MMM, James and Peaso. One James intervention near the end in particular could prove to be gold. Even carrying an injury he lunged into a great blocking tackle to prevent a shot on goal when everybody else seemed to have given up.

As for MMM, i love the guy, said it before, and i wish we had some others like him.

McLaren - spat the dummy a bit when Peaso had a go, and seemed to have a n attitude at the end, booting the ball away.

[crieffsaintandy]

just back from the game, good solid performance and a bit of luck which we have not had other away games when we have played better.

McLaren was poor most of the game, but will shouting abuse at him give him any confidence, seemed to boot the match ball away in anger at the end of the game and coyle made him clap the support.

Lets see what Gretna are made of now!!

[dhs]

well done saints - title winning result that. roll on Saturday!

[templeofsaints]

We used up most of our remaining luck tonight I reckon. Mind you I'll take the points if only to annoy that we shite Miller!!!

Performance wasn't great and the goal was a scrappy one but the attitude throughout the team was excellent - James playing most of the 2nd half injured but still blocking that shot near the end, two good Cat saves in the 1st half, Hardie playing like a man possessed.

As for McLaren he was doing ok in the 1st half but seemed to fade. I'm not sure what happened with him an Peaso - I reckon Peaso had a go at him for not tackling and Peaso getting booked. But emotions were running high. McLaren isn't a great player yet but as we've all seen he's a confidence one and I don't think the abuse he was getting from his own fans tonight did anything to help him. He did improve towards the end with some nice play with Jacko - for all that though Morais or Mensing will be in that position on Saturday.

[HertsSaintee]

I'm completely knackered after that.

We started the game clearly looking for the early goal that would put us on the front foot. It didn't happen and we started our usual panicky high ball nonsense far too early, allowing Clyde back into it. Peaso seemed to be doing all the running for his strike partner tonight, and Oor Wullie looked well off it. However we had dogged, committed displays from KJ, Ando, MMM and Andy Lawrie , who I thought had a great game. Second half it got worse, and so did McLaren. Two of the most fantastic saves you'll see all season from Hutton (worth the entrance money alone.) Clyde smacked woodwork twice after tearing us a new a***e both times, and Cat had a couple of good saves. Then what do you know, MMM with a scrambled goal giving us a true smash-and-grab win, and doubles all round to calm the nerves. Truly the ugliest win all season. Clyde will feel really p****d at that defeat as they definitely deserved something out of it. If they can get into the Village People's faces on Saturday, play the same neat, organised stuff they were doing, and Hutton's in the same mood as he was tonight then they could do us a real favour.

One other thing. Coyle hooked Peaso because he was knackered, right?


Herts

[Nick]

McLaren deserved all he got from the fans tonight IMO.

Utter disgraceful way to act to an expierenced team mate. Peaso had every right to shout at him and try to get him to actually make an effort, Mclaren retaliates by going head to head looking like a headbutt was on his mind. Coyle made him clap but it was the most pathetic clap Iv ever seen. He can and should be booted in the summer.

As for the game...... Christ - I can't handle them! The frustration was getting to me in the second half. We were playing mince - Scotland and the ned were useless and couldny be arsed - James was injured. And Coyle again makes the worst sub ****ing posssible. What game does this guy watch. Take Peaso off who again was working his arse off(and the most effective of the two strikers, and bring on Lilley who hasn't even had a shot at goal since he came! Glad the fans let Coyle know what a terrible decision it was - great booing lads! Peaso Peaso Peaso!

We were lucky to get the three points - but it was about time we got some luck! The goal was offside supposedly - didnt look like that from 100 yards away so good enough for me! Allan McManus was the linesman anyway(anyone see the resemblance?)

So well done to the Legend - Martin Hardie for again being the savour of St Johnstone. I cannot remember a player with the same attitude as he does! One in a million. He has also improved as a player so much hes a skill bugger for his size!

[Real Madrid]

Just back from the game and what a game it was. We were playing with 8 men for the whole of the 2nd half after James got injured, Scotland was knackered and McLaren was shite (the politest term I could think of). To win that game was a monumental effort - superb. Coyle was doing his best to lose the game for us by subbing our 2nd best player whilst keeping a knackered Scotland and a totally ineffective buckfast drinking ned on instead. Bizarre decision and the fans REALLY let him know. Coyles regular 65th minute substitution of Lilley for Peaso has cost us many points this season (has lilley had a shot on goal?) but he was lucky today. Jackson is a much better option and again showed it today with a great last 10 minutes.

The reason we won today? MARTIN HARDIE! The guy is a legend and is worth a billion Willie McLarens. He is everything McLaren is not - he's passionate, he fights, he's a winner, he loves the club and the fans and he WINS us games. Legend - absolute legend.

As for the game, their keeper made 2 wonderful saves and our post made 2 (or 3) wonderful saves. The Cat also pulled out a couple of crackers. After that it was just a battle and one we fought well despite our injuries and passenger.

Special mention to the fans who turned out in numbers and sang their hearts out :) :)

Great win, game on!


Thats what I was gona say

You summed it up well

The whole season went from over to maybe, just maybe in the space of a minute or so as they hit the post and then we score

Not sure if it was a good advert for first division football but they always say that on the radio if they cover a first division game

[Tranmere Saintee]

Thank you Saints for putting the icing on my Birthday cake:D

And MMM you can have the biggest slice of it you beaut

[SaintSam1884]

McLaren was so bad, I felt sorry for him.

A complete passenger in the side, from the start to the end of the match, and squared up to Peaso after Peaso told him to get his act together.

[Euanwilkie]

thought jackson was good for the ten minutes he was on. good support tonight. fingers crossed for the weekend.

[blueheaven]

Utter disgraceful way to act to an expierenced team mate. Peaso had every right to shout at him and try to get him to actually make an effort, Mclaren retaliates by going head to head looking like a headbutt was on his mind. Coyle made him clap but it was the most pathetic clap Iv ever seen. He can and should be booted in the summer.

For those of us that couldn't be there tonight, what actually happened? Did folk actually hear what the two of them were arguing about?

It's probably a bit of a tricky situation with McLaren because we've obviously spent quite a bit of money on him so won't just ditch him, but so far it hasn't exactly seemed like the best piece of business we've ever done.

[Nick]

For those of us that couldn't be there tonight, what actually happened? Did folk actually hear what the two of them were arguing about?

It's probably a bit of a tricky situation with McLaren because we've obviously spent quite a bit of money on him so won't just ditch him, but so far it hasn't exactly seemed like the best piece of business we've ever done.

McLaren was having a 'mare, not chasing down, not attempting to tackle (showing no emotion or determination to do what he could for St Johnstone)

I think he never chased down his man quick enough and didnt attept to tackle, so Peaso had to run over not for the first time and do the dirty work. The ball went out of play and Peaso pritty much shouted at him to get his act together - then McLaren just went forward and locked heads with him,as you would if you were about to headbutt someone, then he was pulled away.

It was a disgrace to see, and the fans let him know that

[Dev]

For those of us that couldn't be there tonight, what actually happened? Did folk actually hear what the two of them were arguing about?

Couldn't hear anything but it was clear it was about McLaren's lack of effort in the tackle.

Saints lost the ball up the right wing and Peaso and McLaren were near the ball, McLaren didn't bother to chase the ball and Peaso ended up fouling the Clyde player and getting booked. Before the ref got the card out of his pocket Peaso turned to McLaren and shouted at him furiously while getisculating that he needed to get stuck in more. McLaren then squared up to Peaso and they went head-to-head. Players from both sides and the referee quickly separated them but afterwards McLaren was having to be held back.

Handbags really but not nice to see between two Saints players - we're supposed to be fighting for the same cause.

[JJacko8]

i was pretty dissapointed in the booing of coyles decisions tonight and the treatment of mclaren, no matter how bad he played know one in there own team deserves to be booed, no wonder he was reluctant to go into tackles tonight his confidence must have been taken battering from the abuse he recieved, and to be honest macdonald didn't have to react in the way he did,
As for the booing of the substitution, the amount of people that i was talking to that said that was hilarious when the celtic fans booed strachan on sat, well im embaressed to have been sitting in the away support tonight. Im sure lilley felt welcomed into the game by us.

[101 Saint]

Pics at http://www.putfile.com/spannermann/images/100216

Gutsy performance tonight - constant theme of the season is "pride"; demonstrated by the players/staff on several occasions and the feelings of most supporters at the close of an arduous campaign.

I took a friend to the game tonight, he is emphatically not a football fan and hasn't seen Saints play in twelve years. He felt awkward initially and went 75 minutes without uttering a single comment. His first questions were, "Is Scotland having an off-game or totally over-rated?", "What's the deal with number 11, have Saints only got 10 players and number 11 had a winning raffle ticket?" "Does number the big guy (Skipper James)use his feet at all?"

The only publically audible comment was following more disasterous play by Oor Wullie, "That wiz f*ckin' sh*te!" Now, if a non-footballing guy can make such perceptive observations on Wullie...

Looking to Saturday we could have a problem defensively -James canny start if he's not significantly fitter than tonight. Thus:

Cat
Mensing-Lawrie-Anderson-Stanic
Morais-McInnes-Hardie-Sheerin
Peaso-Scotland

Surely Barr must at least be on the bench?!

[101 Saint]

i was pretty dissapointed in the booing of coyles decisions tonight and the treatment of mclaren, no matter how bad he played know one in there own team deserves to be booed, no wonder he was reluctant to go into tackles tonight his confidence must have been taken battering from the abuse he recieved, and to be honest macdonald didn't have to react in the way he did,
As for the booing of the substitution, the amount of people that i was talking to that said that was hilarious when the celtic fans booed strachan on sat, well im embaressed to have been sitting in the away support tonight. Im sure lilley felt welcomed into the game by us.

Coyle got the subby wrong. He should've taken off Oor Wullie and replaced him with Jacko. Even out of position Jacko would have offered more and I don't particularly rate Jacko!

The fans were justified in booing and chanting Peaso's name because he showed a passion and a fight that wasn't shown by McLaren. If Wullie had shown some effort, Peaso would never have had to make the tackle that got him booked. Peaso may have spoken out of turn because he ain't Captain, but James couldn't walk to Wullie due to his injury!

I've never justified booing of a player, especially a talented guy who's confidence has vanished, but the player wasn't booed tonight, the substitution was booed! Big difference. The chant of "Peaso" was more suitable because it was 100% supportive of a player who gave his all. Also, any shouting towards McLaren in the aftermath of the incident is justified as a player was bringing the club into disrepute by a thuggish mindset/attitude. As fans we have a responsibility to distance ourselves from actions of players which bring the club into disrepute.

The incident wasn't particularly pivotal or important and so long as no ill-feeling lingers through to the next training session and I trust Owen's people skills 100%.

Incidentally, I thought tonights game might have suited Lilley (poacher) but he really is pants! Still, I can count on one hand the number of poor Coyle signings.

[Ali91]

i was pretty dissapointed in the booing of coyles decisions tonight and the treatment of mclaren, no matter how bad he played know one in there own team deserves to be booed, no wonder he was reluctant to go into tackles tonight his confidence must have been taken battering from the abuse he recieved, and to be honest macdonald didn't have to react in the way he did,
As for the booing of the substitution, the amount of people that i was talking to that said that was hilarious when the celtic fans booed strachan on sat, well im embaressed to have been sitting in the away support tonight. Im sure lilley felt welcomed into the game by us.

agree 100 %. the fans were on mclarens back right from the start and his confidence would of been shot. a know folk will say they paid there money to get in so can say what they want but i dont agree with that.

[montrosesaintee]

Massive result last night. Credit to the team for sticking in for 94 minutes of what sounded a pretty tough game. Gutted I couldn't make it last night, but must say credit to the 5 or 600 fans who sounded awesome again on the radio. Even yous could outsing the tic on your own. Quality. C'mon the Clyde now!

Gretna to struggle to two 0-0 draws, and saints to scrape the 6 points we need.

[Saintkev]

i was pretty dissapointed in the booing of coyles decisions tonight and the treatment of mclaren, no matter how bad he played know one in there own team deserves to be booed, no wonder he was reluctant to go into tackles tonight his confidence must have been taken battering from the abuse he recieved, and to be honest macdonald didn't have to react in the way he did,
As for the booing of the substitution, the amount of people that i was talking to that said that was hilarious when the celtic fans booed strachan on sat, well im embaressed to have been sitting in the away support tonight. Im sure lilley felt welcomed into the game by us.

If people had had a go at him from the start, then I'd agree, but people gradually started to get annoyed at his lack of conviction and effort. And MacDonald was perfectly entitled to act teh way he did... he was trying his ass off and seeing someone strolling about as if they didn't care...

And booing the substitution, I can totally see why the Celtic fans did it and can see why many Saints did too... two folk weren't trying, so they subbied off one of the hardest workers, and the guy who had a great header and a great over-head kick superbly saved! It made no sense!

[Shaggy Jenkins]

If people had had a go at him from the start, then I'd agree, but people gradually started to get annoyed at his lack of conviction and effort. And MacDonald was perfectly entitled to act teh way he did... he was trying his ass off and seeing someone strolling about as if they didn't care...



Exactly. My mate who was there rates him and was giving me pelters for ripping into him (quietly in conversation I add) but come the end was practicaly appaplectic at him, especially at the point where he ran away from the player whos shot then hit the post. I genuinly felt sorry for him mixed with a whole load of frustration. Playing him on the right does not help either as when he gets into good positions he cant do anything with them as was shown on several occasions last night his right foot is for standing on or falling over. Mind you he never gets in those positions on the left :confused:

Most fans do want to see him do well, there was encouragement and a will to see him do well everytime he was on the ball (up until the Peso thing) unfortunatly this is usually followed by disaster. He has talent clearly and showed some neat touches which brough support but his play over the 90 is not up to it for whatever reason and he just looked like a petulent lost wee boy

[Nick]

agree 100 %. the fans were on mclarens back right from the start and his confidence would of been shot. a know folk will say they paid there money to get in so can say what they want but i dont agree with that.

Were we at the same game? McLaren didnt get any sort of abuse from the start. I think it started in the second half when he contunelly pulled out of challenges, showed no effort what so ever, and his disgracefull manner towards Peaso who had every right to go mental at him - I would have done the same. As for booing the sub - nothing wrong with that - it shows Coyle that the fans prefer hard work and hunger from a player. Lilley was clapped and cheered when he came onto the park so I doubt it would have effected him.

If we dont show our feelings Coyle won't learn from his mistakes. - Which is what last nigths substitution was; a mistake.

Theres times when booing is appropriate and I felt last night it was. Especially with McLaren "tarnishing" the name of St Johnstone. If that was a fan - he'd be banned and thought apon as a disgrace - he wouldnt be seen as showing his emotion. :)

[dunblanemike]

i'm not sure you can actually call the Peaso subbing a mistake. It may have looked it at the time BUT we did go on to score a goal and win the game. I noticed Willie played a lot better too once Peaso went off, more to do with being further up the field I think rather than Peaso not being on the pitch.

[Nick]

Coyle got lucky! We didnt deserve anything out of that second half and his substitutions in no way changed the game until Jackson came on. Despite us going onto scoring taking a player who was giving 100% and was the only one creating and having chances I think it was a mistake.

[JJacko8]

If people had had a go at him from the start, then I'd agree, but people gradually started to get annoyed at his lack of conviction and effort. And MacDonald was perfectly entitled to act teh way he did... he was trying his ass off and seeing someone strolling about as if they didn't care...

And booing the substitution, I can totally see why the Celtic fans did it and can see why many Saints did too... two folk weren't trying, so they subbied off one of the hardest workers, and the guy who had a great header and a great over-head kick superbly saved! It made no sense!

Your right about this game but his confidence has taken a battering over the past few games he has played cause people just get on his back every time he makes a mistake, you don't see people getting on goran or hardies backs when they make mistakes, yeah he could have tried harder to get the ball at times but to be honest he looked lost out on the right, if he's going to play it should be on left, i reckon we should play morais on saturday as he is right footed and has looked sharp when he has come on in the past.

[Steve Maskrey]

The guys on the radio felt that by bringing Lilley on for Peaso, we would have a better player for set pieces as they believed that's how we were more likely to score from.

For those who listened to the radio, did anyone hear Murdo McLeod describe our performance as that of potential champions, in the way that we ground out the result?

Onto Saturday and QOS and another huge game. We can do it!!

[Scobby_SJFC]

I dont agree with booing the team or the players at any point DURING the game, it just does not help anybody!
I do not mind people booing after the game, but during is pointless, Mclaren did have a bad game, but we're all pushing for the same objective and we needed a goal, so why destroy a players confidence

thats just my opinion on booing ..........

[Saintkev]

I dont agree with booing the team or the players at any point DURING the game, it just does not help anybody!
I do not mind people booing after the game, but during is pointless, Mclaren did have a bad game, but we're all pushing for the same objective and we needed a goal, so why destroy a players confidence

thats just my opinion on booing ..........

I'd agree entirely, generally, but McLaren was astonishing... I was one of teh guys who argued to give him a cahnce earlier on in the season, but if that's how he's going to repay me, then he can go screw himself!

[Ali91]

Were we at the same game? McLaren didnt get any sort of abuse from the start. I think it started in the second half when he contunelly pulled out of challenges, showed no effort what so ever, and his disgracefull manner towards Peaso who had every right to go mental at him - I would have done the same. As for booing the sub - nothing wrong with that - it shows Coyle that the fans prefer hard work and hunger from a player. Lilley was clapped and cheered when he came onto the park so I doubt it would have effected him.

If we dont show our feelings Coyle won't learn from his mistakes. - Which is what last nigths substitution was; a mistake.

Theres times when booing is appropriate and I felt last night it was. Especially with McLaren "tarnishing" the name of St Johnstone. If that was a fan - he'd be banned and thought apon as a disgrace - he wouldnt be seen as showing his emotion. :)

people round me were calling for mclaren to "get to ****" from about twenty minutes in. im not trying to argue about his performance as it was rubbish but it was obvious not helping getting dogs abuse as he was in the end trying to hide.
anyways apart from that we played well and showed alot of heart and courage. hardie >>> God. the crowd were good singing throughout just what the boys needed to lift them.
also on a sour note a man behind me shouted a racist remark to jason when he missed his chance in the first half which is something that we do not want or need.

[Al C]

The guys on the radio felt that by bringing Lilley on for Peaso, we would have a better player for set pieces as they believed that's how we were more likely to score from.


Lilley has done nothing since he signed and surely will not be kept on in the summer.

I was pleasantly surprised by how well Jackson played when he came on. I know it was only for a short spell but he put himself about well, looked dangerous and won a couple of challenges that he was not the favourite in. A much better option coming off the bench in my view.

[Radford 72]

Lilley has done nothing since he signed and surely will not be kept on in the summer.
Worst. Signing. Ever.

In saying that, I hope he didn't feel the fans were booing him last night when Peaso was subbed off. The boos, certainly personally speaking, were directed at OC's bizarre decision.

[Nick]

people round me were calling for mclaren to "get to ****" from about twenty minutes in. im not trying to argue about his performance as it was rubbish but it was obvious not helping getting dogs abuse as he was in the end trying to hide.
anyways apart from that we played well and showed alot of heart and courage. hardie >>> God. the crowd were good singing throughout just what the boys needed to lift them.
also on a sour note a man behind me shouted a racist remark to jason when he missed his chance in the first half which is something that we do not want or need.

Cant say I heard naything at all - apart from remarks under the breath which doesnt effect the player when he cant here it. I only noticed shouting till after the incident with Peaso bar 1 or two shouts off for **** sake mclaren.

[^sainteebrian^]

i really dont see what oc saw in lilly. he never gets a start and when he does get on he doesnt really show what hes got there for we all belive hes utter pish.

[Steve Maskrey]

Lilley was signed purely as cover with Savo injured and, at the time, Peaso wasn't 100% fit either. He's an experienced player and could've been likely to find the net and offer a bit more strength against First Division defenders than Jacko. In short, he was signed to make up the numbers and is unlikely to be here next season.

Jackson and Doris will probably be back up strikers unless we're in the SPL

[Saintkev]

Lilley. Worst. Signing. Ever.

As far as I'm aware, Lilley hasn't brought up his Mum to ask why he isn't getting a game... for that reason alone, Martin Lauchlan gets that honour!

[blueheaven]

Lilley was signed purely as cover with Savo injured and, at the time, Peaso wasn't 100% fit either. He's an experienced player and could've been likely to find the net and offer a bit more strength against First Division defenders than Jacko. In short, he was signed to make up the numbers and is unlikely to be here next season.

Jackson and Doris will probably be back up strikers unless we're in the SPL

I think we'll sign another striker during the summer, no matter what division we're in. Morais will be away and we need to be prepared for the fact that Scotland could be too. That would leave us with only Peaso and Milne (both injury prone), Jackson (very rarely plays and I'm still not convinced OC has much faith in him) and Doris (completely untested) as options up front (unless you count Hardie as a makeshift forward and possibly the OC himself if he's going to re-register as a player). Either way, I'd expect someone else to be brought in to challenge the lot of them.

[SaintSam1884]

Lilley has looked alright every time I have seen him.

Getting a few minutes here and there is hardly going to lend itself to him implanting great memories in the minds of Saints supporters. However, on the majority of occasions that he has had a little run out, he has looked alright, and has managed to hold the ball up quite well.

I'm not saying that we should attempt to keep him, but he's been far from our worst signing ever. You could argue that, if anyone, McLaren could take that honour since he has been given far more chances than Lilley, was signed for a substantial fee and showed on Tuesday night just how unprofessional he can be. Who wants to watch that?

[StDuncM]

I think we should go for Steven McLean at Wednesday, who seems to only be a fringe player at the moment following his long injury lay off. He may cost though and do we have the funds?

A drunken Saintee told me, in a bar in Mt Florida last Saturday, that a director had *(ALLEGEDLY) told him (Yeah right!) that £2m was going to be poured into the club this summer.

[TheBigCheese]

A drunken Saintee told me, in a bar in Mt Florida last Saturday, that a director had *(ALLEGEDLY) told him (Yeah right!) that £2m was going to be poured into the club this summer.

While it's never going to total £2M there must be a fair amount more cash than normal about th club. The total attendance at the two semis was 53675, if we assume an average ticket price of £22 then that's a total of £1.18M in gate receipts which gets split four ways - roughly £295K to Saints (less costs). Add to that TV money from the game and the prize money for making it to the semis and we'll have done well out of last weekend. Add that to the income from the other rounds and the CIS cup and I reckon we'll have pulled in something in the region of £500K in 'unexpected' revenue this year. While I don't advocate spending it all on players surely a sizeable chunk can be invested in the playing side.

Scotland and Lilley will more than likely be gone at the end of the year as will Morais (would he be available?) and possibly McLaren if he doesn't improve. The priority has to be another quality striker and a winger. I'd like to see us bring in another midfielder to challenge McInnes and possibly another right back. I think McLean is a good shout if he's available, I think Michael Stewart from Hibs (just been released) is a decent midfielder and I imagine McMenamin will be looking for a move to the SPL at the end of the season.:p

Chances are we'll just sign Brian McPhee.:roll:

[Radford 72]

Willie McLaren will not be moved on. The guy had a poor game on Tuesday but this is the same guy who had a stormer against Motherwell and was starting to settle into the club. He is very much a Glasgow boy and imagine it's just taking him a bit of time to settle into things with Saints.

Michael Stewart (and Dene Shields) were supposedly at the head of this revolt against Collins so we should steer well clear. Airdrie may have allowed McPhee to leave in January and he would have been a much better signing than Lilley.

Clyde are supposedly looking at Iain Russell at Brechin. He's scored a lot of goals for them this season.

We need to bring strikers in that suit our style of play, getting it into the channels behind the defence.

[Dev]

Clyde are supposedly looking at Iain Russell at Brechin. He's scored a lot of goals for them this season.

:***: :***: :***: :***:

Iain Russell! You're not back on him again?! Didn't you claim we'd had a £10,000 bid for him accepted by Dumbarton a while back?

He's a decent player and scored a lot of goals in the Second Division this season so he'll be a decent signing for a team like Clyde but he's hardly going to be a replacement for Jason Scotland. I wouldn't sign him for Saints personally.

[Radford 72]

:***: :***: :***: :***:

Iain Russell! You're not back on him again?! Didn't you claim we'd had a £10,000 bid for him accepted by Dumbarton a while back?

He's a decent player and scored a lot of goals in the Second Division this season so he'll be a decent signing for a team like Clyde but he's hardly going to be a replacement for Jason Scotland. I wouldn't sign him for Saints personally.
We did indeed have a £10k bid rejected, I've just mentioned it on P&B! I'm only mentioning him because of the Clyde link but 22 goals is impressive.

My current International Bright Young Thing is still Gordon Lennon of Albion Rovers.

I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to buy Mark Roberts from Thistle. We offered him a contract last summer but he opted to stay at Firhill. They are desperate for money though and he might be happy to jump ship now.

[Tranmere Saintee]

Now we are back to old rumours - how about Marc Corcoran for a wingers berth & there is a certain forward attracting a lot of attention at QOS :***: