Dunfermline Athletic vs. Saints 02/09/07

[dan the saint]

Dunfermline Ath V Saints.

who all going to the game.

[dan the saint]

this would be my team for sunday



Cuthbert

Irvine Ruti Anderson Stanic

McCluskey Moon Hardie Sheerin

Weatherston Stewart

[templeofsaints]

Cuthbert

Irvine Ruti Anderson Stanic

Weatherston Moon Hardie McCluskey

Peaso Jacko

[dan the saint]

Cuthbert

Irvine Ruti Anderson Stanic

Weatherston Moon Hardie McCluskey

Peaso Jacko


Stewart ,Sheerin & Hardie are the only 1's that look like scoring.

[Nick]

Stewart is gash and offers nothing up front.

Main

Irvine Ruti Anderson Stanic

McCluskey Moon Hardie Sheerin

Peaso Weatherston


McInnes can be the water boy. If he gets anywhere near the starting eleven, I will have lost all confidence in Coyle as a manager.


Peaso is excellent at holding the ball, and if he can do that and knock it forward for Weatherston to chase we are in with a chance!

[True Saintee]

I'll be there.

Once again I'll be filled with false optimism and I'll be looking forward to the game.

At the end of the game I'll be asking myself why I was so optimistic and then I'll be back to see more at Dingwall on the Wednesday.

I'd go with:

--------------------Main
------------------McManus
---------Rutciewicz------Anderson
Irvine-------------------------------Stanic
---------Hardie----------*new signing*
---------------McCluskey
-----Pease-----------------Weatherston

Subs:
Cuthbert
Lawrie
Sheerin
Moon
Jackson

Paul Lawson, who was at both the Dundee and Clyde game in the Saints end, would fit nicely into the *new signing* area.

I'd also like to see Cuthbert start, that's very unlikely to happen however.

Personnely, I'd fix the showers specially so that both McInnes and Daal can be accidently burnt. If ever an excuse was needed to drop the clowns.

[Chansey]

IMO this is the best team we can field, from our present squad.

Main

Irvine Ruti Anderson Stanic

Weatherston Moon Hardie McCluskey

Peaso Jacko


McInness never showed he was a fantastic player with us last season, but he did put in a shift, now though, he's pish. Sheerin doesn't have the legs for it anymore, and it irritates the hell out me to see him hitting every dead ball situation, as he rarely puts in a decent ball, surely someoe else can have a crack. I was tempted to include Dyer instead of Stanic, but Goran showed improvement from the second half onwards tonight, but he aint been up to it in the rest of the games this season. I don't like seeing McCluskey on the left, mainly because he's so one footed, and i never thought i would say this, but i'm looking forward to Wullie McLarens return to fight for a place out there. John Stewart as has been said is gash.

There is not a chance in hell this team will be the one Coyle picks, so i'm looking forward to seeing Derek McInnes give the ball away to the Dunfermline backline, and turning to Peaso to have yet another good moan. Roll on Sunday.

[sjfc]

before the season started i was SO up for this tie. now however, i fear the worst.

all my mates are dunfy through and through. for years it been the first division patter, about how shyte we are. now they're down with us in the irn bru and we have a chance to beat. iv wanked over it

now im shittin it.

not seen us this season yet cos i have footy on sat, with this being a sunday game i finally get my first appearance. lets hope we can get our first win too.

sort it out OC

Mon the ****IN SAINTS!

[^sainteebrian^]

I'll be there.

Once again I'll be filled with false optimism and I'll be looking forward to the game.

At the end of the game I'll be asking myself why I was so optimistic and then I'll be back to see more at Dingwall on the Wednesday.

I'd go with:

--------------------Main
------------------McManus
---------Rutciewicz------Anderson
Irvine-------------------------------Stanic
---------Hardie----------*new signing*
---------------McCluskey
-----Pease-----------------Weatherston

Subs:
Cuthbert
Lawrie
Sheerin
Moon
Jackson

Paul Lawson, who was at both the Dundee and Clyde game in the Saints end, would fit nicely into the *new signing* area.

I'd also like to see Cuthbert start, that's very unlikely to happen however.

Personnely, I'd fix the showers specially so that both McInnes and Daal can be accidently burnt. If ever an excuse was needed to drop the clowns.
i like that , its 50-50 between gollies though

[Shaggy Jenkins]

Main

Irvine Ruti Anderson Stanic

Moon Hardie Sheeran

Weatherston McCluskey

Peaso

[Kevin]

Stewart ,Sheerin & Hardie are the only 1's that look like scoring.

You obviously were not there last night then!!

Stewart will never be a forward as long as he breathes, Sheerin is now too slow and Hardie seemed to have some sort of complex last night.

Weatherston, Peaso and Jackson all had 3 shots on target each in extra time, which was the only time we actually had any shots on target throughout the match!!

[thommo]

Dont like to say it but unless saints are going to get pumped on Saturday unless there is a miracle turn around before then. Come on OC what the **** is going on. Im normally pretty optimistic and look forward to games but Im like a bear with a sore ****ing head just now. Forget about promotion this year boys and just concentrate on staying up. We surely cant be this shite for too much longer.

[Dunfermline Saint]

Very worried about this game. As sjfc said, when all your mates are Pars fans, the thought of getting one over on them after a few years of piss-taking was a good one.

Now I'm slightly worried! Hopefully they will get chucked out the UEFA cup AET and confidence will once again be restored to normal levels at East End Park for both teams.

[SaintSam1884]

Bit more optimistic after last nights display - albeit towards the end of the match. I'd still like to see Weatherston upfront and if Rutkiewicz has trained all week, I'd bring him in for McManus. However, if he hasn't, I'll stick with Allan.

Main

Irvine Rutkiewicz/McManus Anderson Stanic

McCluskey Hardie Moon Sheerin

MacDonald Weatherston

[Saintkev]

Will Ando be fit? Sore leg at the end of the game.

[Scobby_SJFC]

Again I'll be there even though if you werent so blind with optimism for Saints you wouldnt be there!

Hopefully a bigger improvement from the first half at Firhill, I hope peaso can start the game as he did more in the first 5 mins of him being on than Stewart did all first half!
Also the pressing has to be much better

The pars arent great but neither are we, really need to win to kickstart the season.

[sainteegraham]

Stewart is gash and offers nothing up front.

Main

Irvine Ruti Anderson Stanic

McCluskey Moon Hardie Sheerin

Peaso Weatherston



Agreed

[sainteegraham]

McInnes can be the water boy. If he gets anywhere near the starting eleven, I will have lost all confidence in Coyle as a manager.


I've been saying that for about 6 months.

[Saint Paul]

I would go with :-

Main

Irvine Ruti Anderson Stanic

Weatherston Moon Hardie McCluskey

Peaso Jackson

Subs :- Cuthbert, Lawrie, McInnes, Sheerin, Daal


I think that it is now time to drop the guys like McManun, McInnes and Sheerin that have simply not been performing. Hoepfully Ruti will be fit enough otherwise McManus will replace him, and he certainly hasn't been the worst recently, but McInnes and Sheerin need to realise that their place is not guaranteed.

Up front, we need to stop playing Stewart as (a) he isn't good enough and (b) he is only on loan anyway so we should be developing a partnership with our existing strikers.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

I,ll be there with the wife and my St.Mirren supporting mate and his missus

Bit disappointed, as I was going to take the piss for the Buddies getting turned over by East Fife but after our game last night I,d better stay quiet.

Can,t see us doing anything against the Pars; It,s going to be a long hard season now and unless there,s something of a Lazerus like recovery I think were pretty much f**ked for the Championship

I want to stay optomistic but I can,t see where salvations coming from..It,s not a case of light at the end of the tunnel , more like to much shite blocking the tunnel....:confused:

[Jimmy Wallace]

I predict Saints will experience an event of royal proportions involving a gentleman called Rodger.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

I predict Saints will experience an event of royal proportions involving a gentleman called Rodger.

Okay I,m going to ask, cos you,ve lost me...I,m sometimes a bit thick..

WHAT???????

[Tranmere Saintee]

Dont like to say it but unless saints are going to get pumped on Saturday unless there is a miracle turn around before then.


Please translate!!
Presuming you mean Saints are going to get humped unless they improve dramatically - I must ask by who on SATURDAY:?:

[Dunfermline Saint]

Will be interesting to see if Stephen Kenny is still in charge. Rumours have been circulating in Dunfermline for the past week. With regards to the actual reasons, i wouldn't like to say on a public forum because of the potential fall out from it, but if at least part of anything i have heard is true it will be difficult to see him remain in a job.

P.S. I'd also recommend anyone who has heard anything not write about it on the forum. If true we will find out eventually and I wouldn't want the guys on the forum getting into bother. A lot of posts/threads on DAFC.net have been deleted quick smart because of this. Cheers

[Tranmere Saintee]

P.S. I'd also recommend anyone who has heard anything not write about it on the forum. If true we will find out eventually and I wouldn't want the guys on the forum getting into bother. A lot of posts/threads on DAFC.net have been deleted quick smart because of this. Cheers

Quite right DS, but you can pm me details if you like :***:

[Barca-Saintee]

usually I only ever see 1-1 draws against dunfermline so it may be good that I am working on Sunday

[MUZZ]

Will be interesting to see if Stephen Kenny is still in charge. Rumours have been circulating in Dunfermline for the past week. With regards to the actual reasons, i wouldn't like to say on a public forum because of the potential fall out from it, but if at least part of anything i have heard is true it will be difficult to see him remain in a job.

P.S. I'd also recommend anyone who has heard anything not write about it on the forum. If true we will find out eventually and I wouldn't want the guys on the forum getting into bother. A lot of posts/threads on DAFC.net have been deleted quick smart because of this. Cheers

very interesting rumour this one. just been told myself and by sunday if its true, the whole world will know!

just in time for us to get on his case!

[templeofsaints]

I've heard the tales from some Pars fans at work as well - no doubt if it's true the papers will have a field day.

[BlairSaint]

This game will probably be tight, nil nil on the cards here both teams playing sh*te at the moment.

[Chansey]

I would gladly accept a PM on these rumours! :) :wink:

[SlickDT]

As will I!

[ryangordon86]

Let us hear....

[SlickDT]

Stephen Kenny was quoted as saying he was interested in bringing in McInnes from us to strengthen his midfield!

There has been an uproar there, the board are desperate to get rid of him. :p :D :p

[ryangordon86]

Lots of abusive chants to Mr Kenny on Sunday i feel!!!

silly, silly boy!

[SaintSam1884]

I sincerely doubt - if the rumours are to be believed - that Dunfermline can sack Kenny for this. If they try, they will possibly have a case of unfair dismissal on their hands. It's not illegal, it doesn't really tarnish the name of the club nor bring the club into disrepute, it's just not something he'll want plastered over the tabloids, and nor should it be.

[SlickDT]

I sincerely doubt - if the rumours are to be believed - that Dunfermline can sack Kenny for this. If they try, they will possibly have a case of unfair dismissal on their hands. It's not illegal, it doesn't really tarnish the name of the club nor bring the club into disrepute, it's just not something he'll want plastered over the tabloids, and nor should it be.

They probably couldn't sack him for it (or would face a bit of a hard slog if they tried to.), but they could make life very difficult for him and in the end it would be in Kenny's interest to leave the club. If Dunfermline take legal advice before hand you may find Kenny leaves as a mutual decision me thinks.

[ryangordon86]

Surely he could be sacked if "the situation was not 100% legal" as he's in a position of trust, working around certain groups of people etc. Im sure the board could argue he wasn't a fit or proper person

[SlickDT]

Surely he could be sacked if "the situation was not 100% legal" as he's in a position of trust, working around certain groups of people etc. Im sure the board could argue he wasn't a fit or proper person

Would depend on his contract and if he had to work with certain teams, etc.

[Dunfermline Saint]

You've also got to remember that rumours suffer from Chinese whispers syndrome! What has happened could greatly differ from what i have been told as there have been a couple of variations on it. Still don't know if we will hear something tomorrow (when Kenny is rumoured to be leaving), see something in the NoftW on Sunday or if nothing will come of it.

The phrase no smoke without fire has been used a fair wee bit and I would like to think that any club (even Dunfermline!) would have moved by now to quash any rumours that were circulating if nothing were happening, especially with a UEFA cup game to worry about tonight.

[The Real Saints]

I would start like this -


Main

Irvine Anderson Rutkiewicz Stanic

Weatherston Hardie Sheerin McCluskey

Jackson MacDonald

[SJFC1988,]

Main

Irvine McManus Ando Stanic

Weatherson Sheerin Hardie McCluskey

Jackson MacDonald

[Saint Paul]

Can someone PM me regarding these "rumuors" also ?

[Radford 72]

According to Tay FM (http://www.tayfm.co.uk/article.asp?id=15381):

The injury woes continue for St Johnstone. Steven Anderson is a doubt for Sunday's meeting with Dunfermline at East End Park after picking up a knock during Tuesday night's cup defeat to Partick. Already ruled out are Kevin James, Steven Milne and Willie McLaren while Kevin Rutkiewicz is also struggling.

[Hazel1884]

Think Willie Mc is on the mend - he's been in Edinburgh 3 times a week getting physio. Would be nice ot have him as an option for midfield sometime soon! :)

[Perth-Saint]

Main

Irvine McManus Anderson (hopefully) Stanic

McCluskey Hardie Moon Sheerin

Peaso Weatherston

Subs: Cuthbert, Lawrie, Deucher (definately signed him I think), Jackson & McInnus

[^sainteebrian^]

Main

Irvine McManus Anderson (hopefully) Stanic

McCluskey Hardie Moon Sheerin

Peaso Weatherston

Subs: Cuthbert, Lawrie, Deucher (definately signed him I think), Jackson & McInnus

thats what you want ?? there is know way that McInnes will get a place on the bench

[Perth-Saint]

yes I should have said

thats the team I would pick cant see it though

[blueheaven]

I'd go with...

_______________Main

Irvine___Anderson____McManus____Stanic

___________Hardie___Sheerin

Weatherston_____Peaso________McCluskey

_______________Deuchar

Subs: Cuthbert, McInnes, Daal, Jackson, Lawrie

[Simon Quinlank]

I'd like to see us go for an attacking 4-3-3, with

Main

Irvine Anderson McManus Stanic

McCluskey Hardie Sheerin

Weatherston Deuchar Peaso

McCluskey and Weatherston could switch around throughout the game to confuse their dastardly opponents!

[Chansey]

Think Willie Mc is on the mend - he's been in Edinburgh 3 times a week getting physio. Would be nice ot have him as an option for midfield sometime soon! :)

Whats actually wrong with him? The first i heard of him being injured was at Arbroath, and haven't really heard anything since.

[Radford 72]

Whats actually wrong with him? The first i heard of him being injured was at Arbroath, and haven't really heard anything since.
Groin, I think.

Regards Sunday now, Deuchar is a proper target man so I wouldn't be surprised if Coyle played a faster player alongside him. I think that points to John Stewart, although I hope I'm wrong.

[Dunfermline Saint]

How important is this game for both sides now? Lose, and we will remain 12!! points behind Hamilton. Can see this being quite a tense game now, although it looked like that before today anyway.

Keep the Faith! etc...etc...

[Zimmerman]

Personally I would go


Main

Irvine Mcmanus ruti/anderson stanic

Roco Hardie Sheerin Mckluskey

Wetherston Deuchar

Bench:Cuthbert,Jackson,Peaso,Moon,Dyer/doris



With stanic it all depends if he is fit, if not put dyer in with doris on the bench. The central defence will depend on who is fit. Im hoping that with them both having played in celtic reserves that irvine and roco may have some sort of understdning together and that wetherston with pace and deuchar being a target man could create a partnership.

However the team is likely to be nothing like this and I expect jackson to be dropper and daal and stewart to feature with mciness in the middle, wetherston right and maybe peaso to start. We shall see.

[SavotheGreat]

Personally I would go


Main

Irvine Mcmanus ruti/anderson stanic

Roco Hardie Sheerin Mckluskey

Wetherston Deuchar

Bench:Cuthbert,Jackson,Peaso,Moon,Dyer/doris



With stanic it all depends if he is fit, if not put dyer in with doris on the bench. The central defence will depend on who is fit. Im hoping that with them both having played in celtic reserves that irvine and roco may have some sort of understdning together and that wetherston with pace and deuchar being a target man could create a partnership.

However the team is likely to be nothing like this and I expect jackson to be dropper and daal and stewart to feature with mciness in the middle, wetherston right and maybe peaso to start. We shall see.

Exactly what I would've gone for, the only exception being Ruti and Anderson forming the centre pairing, subject to fitness. However, there is little to no chance of McInnes being dropped.

I really do have high hopes over Weatherston starting up front tomorrow. There are quite a few combinations for the front two i'd find acceptable, providing it doesn't involve Daal or Stewart.

I'd like to see Moon feature. Basically, i'd like to see anyone who hasn't been consistently shit over the past few weeks given a shot.

[MUZZ]

main
irvine ruti anderson dyer
weatherston rocco hardie mcluskey
peaso deuchar

[SavotheGreat]

main
irvine ruti anderson dyer
weatherston rocco hardie mcluskey
peaso deuchar

Can Rocco play through the middle?

[SJFC1988,]

Main

Irvine Ando Ruti Stanic

Quinn Hardie Sheerin McCluskey

Weatherson Deuchar

Subs: Cuthbert McManus Dyer Moon MacDonald

[MUZZ]

Can Rocco play through the middle?

allegedly quite versatile between centre midfeld, right midfield/wing and up front

[The Real Saints]

main
irvine ruti anderson dyer
weatherston rocco hardie mcluskey
peaso deuchar


I would pick the same line-up as you, but with Stanic instead of Dyer.

[Nairn Saint]

I would pick the same line-up as you, but with Stanic instead of Dyer.

Looks good and as you say if Stanic aint fit give Dyer a start.

If McInnes is dropped I would be as delighted as shocked!

[Zimmerman]

Thats the thing with coyle, he seems too loyal to his friends/signings. We all know that mciness should be dropped so he has to fight for his place. There is no way it will happen, I can only hope. Its simple, he's playing gash so shouldnt be in the line up!

[Saintly Child]

What time is kick off today 3pm or 2pm?

[Dunfermline Saint]

3pm

[MiguelSimao]

is the elizabethan the recommended boozer? where is it? in relation to east end park.

[Nairn Saint]

We are going into this as underdogs and if we can replicate our cup form from last season against SPL sides we have a chance of victory which will start our league campaign off properly.

Big game which calls for big effort and no passengers (Oi McInnes get the finger out)!

Come on the Saints!

[^sainteebrian^]

Big game which calls for big effort and no passengers (Oi McInnes get the finger out)!



if he gets a start ill lose all hope

[Nairn Saint]

So we start with no left back! No Willie Dyer? Willie if I were you I'd get the message! :wink:

[SJFC1988,]

Todays Line- Up:

Main
Irvine
Anderson
Rutkiewicz
McManus
McInnes
Quinn
Hardie
Stewart
Sheerin
Deuchar

Subs:
Peaso
Jackson
Weatherson
Lawrie
Cuthbert.

[saint_markperth]

how the **** does mcinnes always keep his place

[saint10]

I think with some of our loans signings they might have an agreement that they have to play so many games. I wouldn't start Stweart ahead of peaso anyday.

[SingaporeSaint]

All seems very quiet, any news on how we are playing ?

[^sainteebrian^]

im really pissed off with Coyle. WHY THE HELL DOES MCINNES ALWAYS GET A GAME HES HAD LOADS OF TIME TO PROVE HIMSELF, and hes proved that hes crap and should be playin 3rd div football OMG GET IT SORTED OUT

[Nairn Saint]

On balance they have some good players ie Glass, Harper, Crawford etc.

Man for man they look better than us.

[7-2]

On balance they have some good players ie Glass, Harper, Crawford etc.

Man for man they look better than us.
They do indeed, which is why I tipped them to go straight back up. Mind you, with some of the players there they shouldnt have come down in the first place!

[sainteegraham]

According to radio scotland neither team have played especially well. How on earth is weatherson not starting after his performance on Tuesday while mcInnes and Stewart are. Getting really worried about Coyle's judgement now.

[7-2]

Has he gone 3-5-2 or is either Anderson or Irvine gone left back? Notice Lawries a subby so thought he would have gone left back instead of Stanic given OC doesnt like to play any of our own young guys.

[^sainteebrian^]

guys am getting scared with coyle, now i don't feel safe

[Nairn Saint]

We need to score because we can't keep clean sheets.

[Nairn Saint]

Peaso on for Stewart

[^sainteebrian^]

Peaso on for Stewart

slightly better

[sainteegraham]

ando left back

[Nairn Saint]

ando left back

I'm almost scared to ask what position Alan Main is playing?

[Nairn Saint]

My God, McInnes off for The Mullet!

[Moray Blue]

My God, McInnes off for The Mullet!

Steady - better go lie down for 5 mins

[^sainteebrian^]

McInnes OFF!! Weatherston ON!!!

[7-2]

My God, McInnes off for The Mullet!
He must have asked to come off!

[Nairn Saint]

He must have asked to come off!

His tan needed topped up.

[Nairn Saint]

Wee Tam the bam on for the Pars! :shock:

[Nairn Saint]

Jacko on for the Doc.

[7-2]

Wee Tam the bam on for the Pars! :shock:
Hope its not a James Grady situation!

[Nairn Saint]

Burchill on

[7-2]

How good would a 92nd minute Jackson winner be!:D

[Nairn Saint]

Magic indeed. Here's hoping!

[^sainteebrian^]

How good would a 92nd minute Jackson winner be!:D

saints wont score in the next 3 games! let alone in this game

[Nairn Saint]

No yellow cards. I don't like that!

[Nairn Saint]

Gash, gash, gashity gash! 0:0

[Jamie_Beatson]

Apparently we should have won with a last minute goal - Jacko chased a lost cause in to the corner, played it across only for Sheerin to blaze it over the bar from six yards...

[^sainteebrian^]

iI CAN'T BELIEVE THIS, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH SAINTS UTTER PISH

[pavel]

Forget this season, rebuild for next.

[sainteegraham]

We have the players, they're just sitting on the bench watching Stewart, Sheerin, McInnes and co turning out crap performance after crap performance

[7-2]

Its frustrating not scoring again, but surely a point away to Dunfrmline isnt a bad result? Would certainly have settled for it before the game.

[pavel]

Should Weatherston have been dropped? When you consider who could have been dropped instead?

[Rodgers]

Apparently we should have won with a last minute goal - Jacko chased a lost cause in to the corner, played it across only for Sheerin to blaze it over the bar from six yards...

i heard the same!

pish

suppose its better than a loss - just looking on the brightside

[Calinho]

bring back savo!

[poang]

Apparently we should have won with a last minute goal - Jacko chased a lost cause in to the corner, played it across only for Sheerin to blaze it over the bar from six yards...

just back and yup, thats exactly what happened.

I still cant believe it, dont think ive ever witnessed such a bad miss before. Would of been robbery though, we were absolute guff for about 85mins.

[BlairSaint]

Pathetic display, should have got beat to be honest. When are we going to start dominating games like we used to instead of waiting for a lucky break.

[mainstand]

Thought we looked good when we changed things and took off McInnes. Weatherstone wide right with Quinn moving in one. definately finished the stronger team and should have had a penalty in teh first half when bamba used Duechars as a climbing frame. Overall a point away at dunfermline is not a bad result.

When you consider the chances that were missed at Clyde and Sheerin today we should be a good few points better off.

[Ali91]

i thought we were quite good today. Dunfermline controlled the first thirty minutes but the rest of the match was quite even imo until we dominated the last ten or so minutes. how did sheerin manage to put that wide? no need for the boos at the end either imo.

[Cagey]

Glass is half full MS.I wish I had your optimism.

Ando left back.McInness in the team,Weatherston dropped for Quinn,Stewart in the team . Coyle has lost the plot completely. We are in for a long hard season.

Only created 1 chance & that in injury time against a team that has played a hard game on Thursday + flight..

[Rossi the Sailor]

From Hero to Zero!!! other poor game!! too many high long pass, some player cant ever pass right!!! should got last mins goal!! but dunfermline goalie only made 1 or 2 save, easy afternoon for him!!

no good enough!!! 11 points gap!! that is a big ask!!

[SaintSam1884]

I'm beginning to lose faith in a manager who just cannot see the problem areas in the team. I don't know whether Coyle genuinely believes we need McInnes' experience or whether it's friendship ruling on that one, but McInnes has been consistently poor all season and yet he managed to pick up a starting jersey in yet another match? The midfield that started the match was all wrong, and Dunfermline bossed us until Weatherston was introduced onto the wing and Quinn moved into a more central position alongside Hardie, which seemed to suit him much better.

I can also not quite find the words to sum up my feelings on John Stewart being in the 16, let alone starting the match. I've seen him a few times now and he has to be one of the worst footballers I've ever seen in my time as a Saints supporter. A lack of ability coupled with a poor attitude and lazy movement make him far too poor to even be considered a starter for a team with supposed title aspirations. Deuchar got his first start and did well holding the ball up and winning headers from the standard lump out of defence, but he was as much playing upfront himself and Stewart just couldn't provide the movement for his partner. I liked the look of Deuchar but what a poor move from Coyle to play Stewart alongside him. In theory, a fast player in alongside a player like Deuchar works but Stewart is just bone idle. Can you imagine if he'd been presented with the opportunity that Jackson did so well out of at the end of the match? There's no doubt whatsoever in my mind that Stewart would've just accepted that it was going out.

Yet again we start with a sub-standard line up, with three of our most on form players on the bench and leave introducing these players into the match much too late for them to turn our fortunes around. If Coyle cannot see that McInnes needs time out, and Stewart is just not good enough then I don't really know what to say. He simply HAS to see it. Very disappointing once again and four points from a possible fifteen leaves us eleven behind league leaders Hamilton, a team whom we finished miles ahead of last season.

There's no excuses for that, it's no longer about the players. The end of today and the end of Tuesday night showed that we do have the players, but the manager is time and time again getting it wrong. We cannot go on living off of the back of last season when we are not performing and falling further and further behind the leaders every week. At this rate it's going to be a relegation battle we are caught up in.

[Zimmerman]

It took us till the 85th minute to have a shot on target that pretty much sums the game up. Never mind the strikeforce, we have the slowest midfield in the division and that is the downfall. We need to stop thinking about promotion and start thinking about getting a decent team first. As realistically, im not bitter here or angry but we are not getting promoted.

Dunfermline deserved the points as they were far quicker and created more chances, although they clearly need a striker. Irvine had a shocker at the back and the wee left winger had him in his pocket all game, irvine just sat and watched him all game. Hopefully he will get better. To the same extent harper was getting the better of ando, but ando was out of position and at least stood up to him.

How did stewart actually become a professional player, im very harsh here and I feel for the guy as he was clearly gutted when he came off, but he is dire and should be sent back.

The positives? We looked far better when we hooked stewart and finally mciness and we had some decent drive with peaso, wetherston and jacko. Also deuchar is clearly going to be a good addition to the squad as long as we can add someone that isnt stewart to play alongside him!

Rocco played average and i feel he could come onto a game. However as someone said earlier about his time at kilmarnock, he strolled through the game.

With all dunfermlines possesion and the fact it would have been daylight robbery, how the feck did sheerin miss that chance?

I cant actually slag mciness too much, as it wasnt his worst game, but what did he actually do in the game. He didnt get forward and everytime the pars got the ball he never had the legs to catch them. Sheerin needs to be moved inside with jinky on the wing. Its a total farce (unless injured) that jinky never got a jersey today!

As for daal? On wednesday night neither stewart or mciness should get stripped, simple. This will show them they need to fight for their shirt. With all these negatives, i can still see us turning the corner if coyle starts playing football rather than making friends. I just cant see us winning the league.

mon the saints!

[Jamie_Beatson]

Before the game today I was talking about Saints with my girlfriend as we drove along. She has been watching Saints since December last year and has watched maybe 20 games in that time. Her thoughts (without me prompting her or telling her this) were that 1 - McInnes is rubbish and spends to much time arguing with his teammates when it is in fact him that is playing badly, 2 - Stewart is a dreadful footballer and 3 - There is no pace or flair in the middle of the park.

If a girl who has watched very little football in her lifetime can spot this, and our manager, who has 20 years of playing at a good level to his name, can't I am extremely worried.

Often managers do see things we don't, e.g a player's performance in training, but as SaintSam says (and I think she sums things up perfectly) he simply HAS to see the problems we have.

[Nick]

I've held back so far this season, giving the boys a chance, but I have had it with this display! How people can say were were "quite good" is beyond me!

We were terrible, and Dunfermline ran us ragged most of the game.

I have lost nearly all faith in Coyle! McInnes starts - theres a shock, McInnes - barely touches the ball, couldn't make a successful tackles, and offered no pass at all - Theres a surprise. Get him tae ****! Coyle seriously is clueless if he continues to play shite like McInnes and Stewart, and leave players like Jackson(who changed the game and did more in 10 mins than Stewart did the time he was on) and Moon.

I think it took till the 88th minute for us to get our first short on target. We did have one off target before that though!

I think we have defended certain players to much and also Coyle. That's the last time I spend my hard earned cash(which I have very little of) watching shite like that.


IF Coyle plays McInnes and Stewart in the next game - He'll be next on the "get tae fek" line. Its time we forgot about the heroics last year and looked at the mess were in now. Relegation form which doesnt look like improving. A manager who can't see where the problem lies, and who plays "his mates" when they clearly aren't good enough!

Losing the faith

[Perth-Saint]

how did he miss that? good grief

As for the rest of the game, first half was shocking although we were much, much improved after Stewart & McInnus made way for Weatherston & MacDonald.

If we start with the team next time that finished today we will begin to win games (and McCluskey into the equation for Sheerin - Why was he out the squad today?)

I believe thats now 340 minutes without a goal - most of second half against Dundee, whole game against Clyde, Partick and now Dunfermline.

[Nick]

Oh, and I now think Sheerin is coming close to being past it. He doesn't have the legs anymore to be on the wing. His balls into the box were crap also!

Your suppose to attack a corner, but every ball was "floated" in with no pace behind the attacking players in the box, so they are then having to try and head the ball while moving backwards!

And why do we always do that stupid thing when we have centre. We never win the header and end up with possession! Why not play it back and keep possession for the first minute and try to get players on the ball and settle them quicker. I'm fed up of that too!

[SavotheGreat]

Sam, spot on. Totally and utterly spot on. Pretty much exactly what I was going to post.

Afairly sub-standard game today, long and aimless hoofs up the park all throughout the first half, Alan's kicking was wayward for large parts of it. Not really sure what the plan of action was.

As Sam has already pointed out, Stewart barely qualified as a football player today. A headless chicken perhaps, but not a football player. He continually ran after everything, good on him, but he never caught up to it. He ran and he ran and he ran, always looking like he wanted to get a hold of the ball but never actually doing anything with it. On the two occassions when he actually got it, he lost it. He's not first division standard, simple as that.

More often than not, he was looking for the long ball over, he was relying on it, but that is pointless when: 1. you can't catch it and 2. when you get it you can't actually do anything with it.

Deuchar did fine, but we didn't play to his strengths. Too often the ball was hoofed up to him and he won the header, but with no support. What we need from Deuchar is for him to be in the box. We need a midfielder to win possession. Play it out to the wing, swing it into the box and THAT is where Deuchar should be. Of course he's useful when it comes to retaining one of Alan's wayward albeit endearing kicks (somehow it wasn't overly endearing when Bryn did it, maybe it has something to do with the fact he was shite), but that shouldn't be his principle purpose. Let Hardie win it, and get yourself into the box.

McInnes. Useless. Not at this level. Agree with Sam, he needs punted, but then again, i've been saying that since the end of last season. His marking was non-existent, he strayed continually, he couldn't pick anyone up, he couldn't keep up with anyone. His distribution was ok, but it did consist of 10 yard passes (which is fine for a holding midfielder), but that's not what he's there for. He need's to break up the play and get the ball to a creative player. He didn't do that today, in fact he hasn't done that all season.

The left side of midfield was pretty much redundant, for reasons i've outlined in the Anderson thread. I'm not overly sure about Sheerin. I would be tempted to say he should be moved in field and that he's not got the pace for that left-side. But then again, does he need pace. His distribution from that sides is usually terrific, if we can subsidise that with the pace and penetrative running of either Dyer of Stanic then we shouldn't really have a problem.

I felt Rocco did fine. He had a pretty decent attempt on goal in the first half, stinging just right of the post. Like Sam identified, he was better when Coyle moved him in field. There was an energy in the team. In fairness to OC, he made the right substitutions. But again, the team that ended up on the park at the end of the 90 minutes was the team which should have started the match, IMO (with the only exception of Dyer in for Ando; i'm not sure if OC just feels the need to field ALL of his better players, even if he's playing them out of position? Anyway, that's a separate point). Weatherston did well when he came on, there were actually strong challenges being made in the centre of the park, we were getting the ball forward with momentum and we were actually stringing passes together. The last eight minutes were really superb!

One more thing to add, why was Deuchar being used as wide forward? Time after time the ball was moved out wide, that is where Peaso should have been holding it up and either passing it on or swinging it in for Deuchar to get on the end of. Deuchar was under utilised, we really didn't exploit his best qualities in the match, mind you, I think that had a lot to do with Stewart, who really didn't provide, well, anything whatsoever (no, seriously).

There are definite positives there, but we really have to ditch the duds: Stewart, McInnes and Daal. We really have to play players where they are at their best. Be that Anderson at centre-back, Sheerin in field, Weatherston up front, Rocco in field or whatever. Whatever misplaced loyalties Coyle has to these players really needs to be addressed, hopefully he'll see the light and try something new.

[MUZZ]

right, no messing about here. this is relegation form. that was poor again and just as well the pars have no real threat up front. coyle is rapidly losing my faith in him i'm afraid

[SavotheGreat]

right, no messing about here. this is relegation form. that was poor again and just as well the pars have no real threat up front. coyle is rapidly losing my faith in him i'm afraid

I have nothing but faith. Ditch McInnes, Stewart and Daal, play a left-back at left-back and you've got the core of a championship winning side. When both McInnes and Stewart were subbed, we turned it around.

[MUZZ]

I have nothing but faith. Ditch McInnes, Stewart and Daal, play a left-back at left-back and you've got the core of a championship winning side. When both McInnes and Stewart were subbed, we turned it around.
too much of an old pals act with coyle

[Scobby_SJFC]

Poor poor poor

I can only remember 1 shot on target all afternoon, and that sums it up really. Can anybody explain to me why Sheerin is played on the left hand side and not the middle? he has no pace and will not beat players, where as if he were moved into the centre he could pick passes and hopefully unlock defences.

Only people who played well for me were Weatherson, Jackson and the Doc who gave effort.

[el doro]

Ever so slowly a slight improvement. In much the same way as partick midweek, i felt we came onto our game in the last 10/15 mins, however we should be on form from the start, not taking 80 mins to get into the game!

Ando should never have been played at left back. It seems ridiculous to contemplate playing a right sided player in that position when there were other options available. Deuchar looked good, held up the ball well and had a positive impact, but playing along-side stewart he was practically on his own, genuinely believe stewart to be one of the worst players in a saints top i've seen in a long time. Quinn looked nothing but average, disappointed weatherston was dropped for him, however he looked more comfortable when he moved inside, where did he normally play at killie?

Yet again im left looking at the team and saying changes have to be made, and yet again i'm left thinking theres little chance of that happening!

[M1NK S.J.F.C]

The fans were appaling today, acted like fools, we did not back the team. The lads on the pitch are trying their best, unlike some of our fans who are still on the dole. So take notice of this eh, they are all working laddies, just like me and your faither.

[templeofsaints]

Temple reports up now - FWIW I can only echo what's being said here. We only began to look like causing any trouble when McInnes went off. Stewart is a complete and utter waste of space. Jacko caused more trouble and created more chances in ten minutes than Stewart's done all bloody season.

Defensively we looked better. I assume Stanic was dropped and the decision to play Ando at left-back was to nullify Harper. Even so it was a big gamble but Rusty and McManus were ok for the most part and Irvine seemed fine as long as he had some cover.

But yet again the midfield was all over the place and because of that we again ended up with more pressure on the defence. Nobody seems able to hold onto the ball or move into space. Hardie was slow again and rash with some of his challenges (although Crawford etc's overacting didn't help). Quinn seemed ok on the right but drifted in as did Sheerin on the other flank. And all of that was IMHO to cover for McInnes a player who can't tackle, pass, mark or do anything his bloody experience should have as second nature for him - I swear the only sprint he did all afternoon was when he came out at the 2nd half. Quinn in the middle with Hardie behind him and Weatherston on the right suddenly opened up the game and created more movement than we'd done up until then. Sheerin improved towards the end but he has lost a yard or so of pace this season and why McCluskey who has hardly put a foot out of place all season was dropped even from the bench beats me.

Deuchar did ok (no messiah-like miracles) but again lacked the service from midfield so he spends all his time going wide. He needs a reliable striker partner and I'd start Jacko or Peaso alongside him on Wednesday. And Stewart should be punted back to Westfield, at least Daal has contributed the odd pass or run on occasion.

Owen has to see where the problems are - my worry though is he's signed these players to drop the current performers in the team (McCluskey, Weatherston, Peaso) rather than the off-form players. To be honest we don't deserve any better this season than what we've seen so far and if the manager can't change things round there will be calls for his head - something none of us wants to see after the good spirit and hope from last season. But Owen has to show he can manage the team now and not just rely on the momentum of a few wins. And if that means hard choices with his pals then so be it.

[Scobby_SJFC]

The fans were appaling today, acted like fools, we did not back the team. The lads on the pitch are trying their best, unlike some of our fans who are still on the dole. So take notice of this eh, they are all working laddies, just like me and your faither.

slightly harsh

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Better...Not a great deal, but better all the same..Defence looked fairly solid and Main was up to what was thrown at him..(Kicking still ropey though)

Strikers all worked hard for little reward and will start to score goals soon

Main problem I believe is our midfield is not functioning worth a shit...

I don,t want to get to much into blame but I think all there could see that once McKinnes went off we we miles better...Hardie had a poor day as did Sheerin, but all would have been forgotten had he scored at the death...Our passing really is rotten at the moment

One other point...If we had started the season better we would have been well happy with a point today...Onwards and upwards


MON THE SAINTS......

[Nick]

The fans were appaling today, acted like fools, we did not back the team. The lads on the pitch are trying their best, unlike some of our fans who are still on the dole. So take notice of this eh, they are all working laddies, just like me and your faither.


Which Player are you?

[lethamsaintee]

Pretty poor stuff again today i thought. We never once tested the keeper and our only real scoring chance was Sheerin right at the end. I think we may have had a header from a corner off the line in the first half too.

Jackson must start the next game i feel - only when he came on did we look even a wee bit decent upfront, and he has willingness and tenacity which i am afraid is really lacking elsewhere on the park. His efforts to set up Peanut late on is a good example of him working hard.

Thought Ando did fairly well at LB, all things considered.

[The Real Saints]

What a ludicrous line-up Coyle chose today! I had my head in my hands when I heard the announcer revealing our starting XI.
I don't know why, but I was fully expecting McInnes to be dropped today for Quinn. That didn't happen, and to add to that horrible fact, Weatherston, one of our only bright sparks so far this season, was dropped for Quinn instead! Why wasn't McCluskey in the squad today?
Stewart? John bloody Stewart? Before the game, I would have said that I'd eat my hat if Coyle started Stewart instead of Peaso. I was left gobsmacked at his decision, and to top it all off, Anderson was picked to play as a left-back at the expense of Willie Dyer, who happens to be the natural left-back!
I have stood by Coyle in the past, but now I feel that it is last chance saloon for him. I have almost lost my faith, and if he doesn't repay what little faith I have remaining, by dropping Sheerin, McInnes and Stewart, then I will lose all hope in him as a manager.
As for that performance today, what a shambles! Dunfermline started off the better side before we started to get into the game a bit more. We put together some nice passing movement at times, but these times were extremely rare.
Anderson was out of his depth at left-back and couldn't at all cope with the tricky Kevin Harper. Irvine was nervy, but gained confidence and played better as the game went on. The central pairing of Rutkiewicz and McManus worked well, particularly the latter. Rocco Quinn started solidly, but became quieter as the game went on, until the non-existent McInnes was subbed off for Weatherston, and Quinn played well as a centre midfielder. Hardie was poor, as was Sheerin, who I cannot forgive for that unbelievable miss.
Main's kicking is dreadful, but he looked solid enough when called upon.
Deuchar looks useful, but his play was limited due to the useless Stewart playing alongside him.
Peaso and Jackson, the latter especially, looked lively when they came on, as did Weatherston.
The match was fairly even, but I feel Dunfermline were the better side. We need to up our performances quickly if we have any chance of challenging for the title.
It is time for changes to be made, and Coyle must take action, or serious questions have to be asked about his management skills.

[Carse of Gowrie Saint]

Lets be honest here............Saints were absolutely abysmal. There was a huge travelling support today and they were let down by a lacklustre Saints team.

The defence can take some credit for keeping a clean sheet but the midfield and front two were terrible.

We play Deuchars up front and then don't play any wide players to put balls into the box.

Coyle needs to have a look at the system we are playing because until the subs came on we didn't have one player on the park who had the ability to go past one of there players.

No width and no pace !

[M1NK S.J.F.C]

Which Player are you?

Hamish French

[MUZZ]

Hamish French

feckin arab scum

[M1NK S.J.F.C]

slightly harsh

I dont think so neebour.

[M1NK S.J.F.C]

feckin arab scum

Neebor theres weans about,

mum can i get a crispy pancake...

[MUZZ]

Neebor theres weans about,

mum can i get a crispy pancake...

na, i wanna crispie cake

[Cagey]

Oh, and I now think Sheerin is coming close to being past it. He doesn't have the legs anymore to be on the wing. His balls into the box were crap also!

Your suppose to attack a corner, but every ball was "floated" in with no pace behind the attacking players in the box, so they are then having to try and head the ball while moving backwards!

And why do we always do that stupid thing when we have centre. We never win the header and end up with possession! Why not play it back and keep possession for the first minute and try to get players on the ball and settle them quicker. I'm fed up of that too!

Have to agree with the kick off thing Nick. I have thought that for a long time as we invariable give away possesion. That along with Main kicking the ball out of the park or to oppo` player means we very rarely have possesion.

[M1NK S.J.F.C]

na, i wanna crispie cake

Nae bother faither, ma wean is just awa to get me some skins, so i'll tell her to chore a couple of crispies for you neebour. Us minks should stick together.

[MUZZ]

Nae bother faither, ma wean is just awa to get me some skins, so i'll tell her to chore a couple of crispies for you neebour. Us minks should stick together.


rizlas?

[M1NK S.J.F.C]

rizlas?

Na neebour, i prefer the old banana skins. Were you at the game the day neebs?

[MUZZ]

Na neebour, i prefer the old banana skins. Were you at the game the day neebs?

ya hoor sir, i sure was. what a lot of crap. you?

[monkfish]

As a lot of people have said, it's very clear whats wrong with the team at the moment. You could watch one game never mind 5 and say that Stewart and McInnes are gash. Exactly the same as Partick, when Jackson and Peaso came on we were a completely different team. Simple question is why can't Coyle see this if everyone else can? If someone could come up with a good reason for the team selection I'd like to hear it

[M1NK S.J.F.C]

ya hoor sir, i sure was. what a lot of crap. you?

Aye, i wasnae gonna go, but the chorers came to ma door and sold me a sat nav, so eh jumped in ma old transit and managed to get to the game with ma twa neebours. I couldnae get in the weans gate, so i couldnae be bothered paying the 16 quid and went an sat in the Elizabethan getting pished, ye canne beat it!

[Saintly Child]

Don't think we should be calling for Coyles head, he's the best manager Saints could ever attract. We are going through a bad spell which will suddenly click and we will start winning again.
We need to support the teamat the moment not get on their backs.

As they say keep the faith. After all we have only lost 1 game.

[templeofsaints]

Have to agree with the kick off thing Nick. I have thought that for a long time as we invariable give away possesion. That along with Main kicking the ball out of the park or to oppo` player means we very rarely have possesion.

Mind you if the current side tried to play it back and hold onto the ball what's the odds on the opposition scoring in the first 30 secs :?: :D

[MUZZ]

Aye, i wasnae gonna go, but the chorers came to ma door and sold me a sat nav, so eh jumped in ma old transit and managed to get to the game with ma twa neebours. I couldnae get in the weans gate, so i couldnae be bothered paying the 16 quid and went an sat in the Elizabethan getting pished, ye canne beat it!

well loon, this 27 year old scally got in the u16's after a good few coronas in yer elizabethan pub.

ya hoor sir neebs ***

[templeofsaints]

As they say keep the faith. After all we have only lost 1 game.

Which is one more than we've won.

I think we're all frustrated because we can blatantly see where the weaknesses are in the side - if we were out there all guns blazing for 90 minutes and creating a barrowload of chances but just not getting the luck then perhaps there would be more sympathy for Owen but as it is we have tactical weaknesses which should be within his control to sort out. And that is why OC is getting a lot of, IMHO, fully-deserved flak tonight.

[M1NK S.J.F.C]

game was pish the day boys at half time to pull my plonker

[monkfish]

To get on Coyle's back even more, it's a wonder we didn't lose given who we had in goal!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/6974008.stm

Owen Morrison fired an unstoppable drive past Saints goalkeeper Gary Anderson, but Gary Anderson cleared off the goalline after nine minutes.

That and the bizzare decision to bring on Andy Lawrie upfront near the end of the game are surely more evidence of our problems! :***:

[Nick]

Don't think we should be calling for Coyles head, he's the best manager Saints could ever attract. We are going through a bad spell which will suddenly click and we will start winning again.
We need to support the teamat the moment not get on their backs.

As they say keep the faith. After all we have only lost 1 game.

This isn't just a bad spell. This is down to Coyle's tactical and squad selections. Until he drops his mates, I can't see how theres going to be any improvement. We might win a game, but it would be like today when we played gash and stole a winner. I cannot see us deserving a win with a good performance with his tactics and team selections.

Surely the other coaches can see the weaknesses we are all highlighting?

I think we have all tried to stay off their backs for the past 6 games. But I think its time we started to get on Coyles back, if it means hes pressurized to drop the likes of McInnes, and Stewart. If they continue to play and we leave McCluskey, Jackson and Weatherston on the bench or not even in the squad, we WIILL be fighting relegation!

[thewhorule2002]

I assumed that the signing of rocco meant that coyle was punting mcinnes but I assumed too much of coyle! I think coyle is a good manager, after all what we (nearly) achieved last season cant be forgotten already but to play mcinnes, stewart and sheerin ahead of weatherston, mcluskey, peaso, jackson et al is nothing short of ridiculous!

Let me spell it out for coyle

Main
Irvine Rusty Ando Stanic/Dyer
Weatherston Quin Hardie Mcluskey
Deuchar Jackson

That is a team that would at least compete.

[SaintSam1884]

There ARE some positives to be taken from today.

The defence was good although I'd prefer a left footed player at left back if possible and Jackson was outstanding whilst Weatherston again showed a willingless to get to the bye-line and Quinn looked decent through the middle in place of McInnes.

However, what is really getting me down tonight is that I truly do not believe Owen Coyle will see that.

[blueheaven]

The Quinn thing looks very strange to me - from what I've heard about him, he's an attack minded player and generally plays wide right. That means there was never any chance of him being brought here to replace McInnes. Instead, it looks like Weatherston and McCluskey (two of our own players) are the ones being dropped (scape-goated?) to make way for what is a temporary arrangement. The fact that the transfer window has closed without someone even being brought in to challenge McInnes is not a good thing at all.

And the idea of playing guys out of position (Anderson at left back) in order to avoid giving our youngsters a chance is straight out of the Billy Stark book of desperation. It pains me to say this, but from the outside looking in it really appears as if Coyle is losing it.

Someone said above that a draw at East End Park is a good result - I agree with that. Game for game, taking a single point from anyone in this division is an okay result. But when it happens every week, that adds up to a relegation problem.

[St Mikey]

As they say keep the faith. After all we have only lost 1 game.
Dont want to sound at all funny but does anyone else think 0 wins from 5 is acceptable. Lookin at 1 defeat versus a crap clyde team is words from a relegation team. Not a championship winning team.

[^sainteebrian^]

The Quinn thing looks very strange to me - from what I've heard about him, he's an attack minded player and generally plays wide right. That means there was never any chance of him being brought here to replace McInnes. Instead, it looks like Weatherston and McCluskey (two of our own players) are the ones being dropped (scape-goated?) to make way for what is a temporary arrangement. The fact that the transfer window has closed without someone even being brought in to challenge McInnes is not a good thing at all.

And the idea of playing guys out of position (Anderson at left back) in order to avoid giving our youngsters a chance is straight out of the Billy Stark book of desperation. It pains me to say this, but from the outside looking in it really appears as if Coyle is losing it.

Someone said above that a draw at East End Park is a good result - I agree with that. Game for game, taking a single point from anyone in this division is an okay result. But when it happens every week, that adds up to a relegation problem.
its so true i almost want to cry.
LEFT BACK: Dyer, great, energetic, left back ( ando balding, right back)

CENTER MID: Moon, energetic,mid (looking good for future and NOW)
(McInnes old, slow, no fight)

Upfront: Jackson just emence when he comes on changes game TOTALY (Stewart lazy no fight for the club) (Daal, DONKEY)

i Know who i would choose

in my eyes its Very simple management.

Player plays bad player gets dropped.

Player gets injured, replaced by player next inline for that position

Why did Lawrie not get a game a t left back, he was half decent last time i saw.

[wee john]

Dunfermline should have murdered us yesterday, infact they did without scoring. On another day we could have been beaten by 4 or 5 easily.
Harper must have crossed the ball into the box 25 times. We were quite simply woeful. All credit to McManus, Ando and Main for getting us a point.

The cracks that were covered last year by Gretna almost throwing the league and our cup runs are now showing.
We never won a league match away from September to March last year, could be aslong again this season.
Without Scotland and Mensing last year we would have had no cup runs and finished mid table, we have not even came close to replacing that quality and mid table and no cup runs is now on.

Coyle as said numerous times can be woeful with decisions, Big Deuchar playing right wing is a great example and Geoff has to take alot of blame for not pushing the boat out for Offiong, shocking in my eyes, but then again there is maybe something I don't know about the offer we made.
He has now got 7 goals, more than Peaso scored all last season.

Rant over.

[Dave H]

performance improved at the following points, i am not really that surprised.
Stewart (MacDonald 56), McInnes (Weatherston 68).

Good to see Rocco move to centre mid, thought Weatherston provided a great more on the right with Rocco providing a great more in the centre.

Id of taken a point at the start of the game, just a little annoyed we didnt score late on, but that would have been known as 'daylight robbery'

[SlickDT]

Too many people here are desperate to put the blame on certain players, but they certainly weren't the only under-performers yesterday!

McInnes is poor, but Sheerin (just far too slow!) and Hardie (looked like a bear with a sore head!) were just as ineffective yesterday.

Coyle's choice to put Anderson in at left-back paid off, Harper would of been too much for Dyer to handle after playing so little first-team action. Would bring Dyer in for County though.

Deucher will do a good job for us, and a quicker striker running off him would cause a few problems. Alot of people have been quick to have a go at Stewart, but his job (aswell as Deuchers) was near impossible with an awful and slow midfield.

Quinn looked better in centre midfield and hopefully will take the place of McInnes for the next game.

The plus side is we have a strong defence and won't let in too many, Main also made a few good saves.

[SlickDT]

And the idea of playing guys out of position (Anderson at left back) in order to avoid giving our youngsters a chance is straight out of the Billy Stark book of desperation. It pains me to say this, but from the outside looking in it really appears as if Coyle is losing it.

Did this decision work though, the answer is simply yes. Both Anderson and Lawrie managed well at left-back. Whether Dyer would of done better is questionable, but his choice in playing both these boys out of postion worked. As mentioned in my past post Harper would of tore Dyer to shreds IMHO.

[MUZZ]

defence wise we are sound ok. its the total lack of movement, lack of creativity, bad passing, lack of drive in midfield thats hurting us most. i'll lay off the strikers a bit because they are fighting a losing battle with that crap in midfield. although, john stewart is a total waste of space.

[Chuck Norris]

i'll lay off the strikers a bit because they are fighting a losing battle with that crap in midfield.
although, john stewart is a total waste of space.
About as consistent as my first jobby Muzz, but I strangely agree with every word!

[MUZZ]

About as consistent as my first jobby Muzz, but I strangely agree with every word!


couldnt help havin a wee dig at that pissheid. god knows what coyle sees in him.

[wee john]

Did this decision work though, the answer is simply yes. Both Anderson and Lawrie managed well at left-back. Whether Dyer would of done better is questionable, but his choice in playing both these boys out of postion worked. As mentioned in my past post Harper would of tore Dyer to shreds IMHO.


Ando at left back was lucky to work.
Sheerin was ineffective as he was having to defend most of the match, covering for Ando most of the time as Ando naturally strays back into the centre. Sheerin put in a fantastic shift, we missed his creation because we were under the cosh. Ando is not a left back, never will be, all his best defending on Sunday was in the centre not at left back and he was excellent at it.
You only need to think about Harper running riot to realise that, and surely nobody can deny that he did run riot.
We got away with it on Sunday, if we played that formation 10 times this season against the stronger teams that may be our only escape.

[pavel]

Nice of OC to comment on the match. not!

[Chuck Norris]

Ando at left back was lucky to work.
Sheerin was ineffective as he was having to defend most of the match, covering for Ando most of the time as Ando naturally strays back into the centre.
Agree with all of that. Anderson was there because "Dyer hasn't had a chance to get match fitness" - but if that's the case, when is he going to get it? Anderson would have no match fitness either if our main centre-halves were fit.

Dyer has never let anyone down, in fact he usually slots in at left-back like he's been a regular for years.

[SJC]

If Stanic is going to have a troublesome year then we should be playing Dyer at left back because we are going to need him a lot more over the course of the season.

He played a blinder (against Dundee Utd?) last year and looked solid so why hasn't he been given a chance.

However, Anderson is a good player and should be in there instead of McManus who it far too slow now.

[Chansey]

However, Anderson is a good player and should be in there instead of McManus who it far too slow now.

Before the Clyde game, i would have agreed with you. However, since then, he has definatley upped his game, and in my eyes was easily our best player on sunday. Back at Queens i never really thought i would feel this way, but our defence is rock solid and probably the best in the league, and as i have said before i think it is the introduction of Ando that has helped the 'stablising' process. Saying that Ruti has been a class act back there aswell. Coyle has to make sure not to drop the wrong player when they are all fit, or we may end up with a backline as we had at Queens.

[Simon Quinlank]

when they are all fit

Have to say, I can't imagine that will ever be a problem with Saints!!:razz: