Saints vs. Partick Thistle 15/09/07

[Jamie_Beatson]

All quiet around here just now. What is everyone thinking ahead of this game?

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

All quiet around here just now. What is everyone thinking ahead of this game?

I,ll tell you what I,m thinking..........


























I WISH IT WOULD HURRY THE FECK UP.....
Seems ages since we had a game and even longer since we had a game at home....Bring it on.......:(

[Stamford Saintee]

..........another bloody draw! :sad:

[lethamsaintee]

Got a feeling we will win this one, even quite comfortably.

The Doc and Jacko must start up top.

[lampshade]

Its about time wee got a win ,and get the season started,any win will do me

[Perth-Saint]

Main
Irvine McManus Anderson Stanic

Weatherston MMM McInnus McCluskey

Deucher Jackson

[BlairSaint]

Should be a win considering were at home and playing a little better but wont happen, going for 2-2.

[templeofsaints]

Been too busy with work to even think about it - missing the County game as well means it's been 2 weeks with no Saints and with no transfers, there's little news.

FWIW I think we'll win comfortably with the strikers finally hitting some form.

[Kevin]

I agree with temple here, the strikers will want to impress and have had a good break as well. I will give us 2 goals on the jags..... :shock:

[GMac]

I was speaking to a mate of mine who is a jags fan - He is not confident !!!!! He has obviously not seen us yet:)

[7-2]

I agree with temple here, the strikers will want to impress
But which strikers though???!

[Kevin]

But which strikers though???!

Doctor and the Jacko

[7-2]

Doctor and the Jacko
I certainly hope so!

[Saint Paul]

First time since the start of the season that I am looking forward to a game again, and have a feeling of confidence.

The Doc and Jackson will start up front again, and must go into this game full of confidence, which should help the rest of the team as it takes a bit of the burden off them.

I just wish it would hurry up !!!

[pavel]

Hardie and Peaso look like missing out.

Not good.

[Calypso Kid]

Hardie and Peaso look like missing out.

Not good.

Not great but big Kenny and Jacko are ok by my book. Hardie will be a big miss if he doesn't make it but a shuffle round in midfield can probably take it.

[Radford 72]

It'll be interesting to see what Coyle does in the middle of the park in Hardie's absence. Quinn isn't a natural central player and even Sheerin is predominantly left-sided so we are seeing how exposed we are in that area on the park. I think Coyle will go with Quinn but the biggest dilemma he has is not with his strikers but which of the three centre backs make up his pairing. McManus and Anderson kept clean sheets at Firhill and Dingwall and Ruti and McManus kept a clean sheet at East End Park. Hard decision and he's going to be open to criticism over it. For me, it's Ruti or Ando with McManus.

Main

Irvine - Ando/Ruti - McManus - Stanic

Weatherston - Quinn - McInnes - Sheerin

Jackson - Deuchar

Subs: Cuthbert, Ando/Ruti, McCluskey, Stewart, Daal.

[Saint Paul]

Radford, you are right that he has a difficult decision to make, but for me, the team that won in Dingwall needs to be as close to the team that starts as possible.

As the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. These players got us our first win of the season and deserve the chance to keep their place on the back of it.

[pavel]

This thread would normally be a few pages long by now, considering the game is tomorrow, but the due to the poor form of the team no one can be bothered even posting.

[Tranmere Saintee]

This thread would normally be a few pages long by now, considering the game is tomorrow, but the due to the poor form of the team no one can be bothered even posting.

Could it not have something to do with half the forummers only just arriving back from France?

[Invernessaint]

Anyone else having difficulty conjuring up enthusiasm for this game after the euphoria of Paris?

[Tranmere Saintee]

Anyone else having difficulty conjuring up enthusiasm for this game after the euphoria of Paris?

No

[lethamsaintee]

Never. Paris was great, terrific et al, but, Saints are the only team that really matters.

When Scotland win its great, when they lose its bad.each emotion is multiplied by about 1000 with Saints though.

I would swap Paris to see Saints climb that table and start making a fist of it.

[Roddy grants love child]

I would swap Paris to see Saints climb that table and start making a fist of it.[/QUOTE]

Il second that mon the saintees !!!

[Ronaldo]

Has Ian MColl in charge of two different teams beaten Owen Coyle's Saints in the last half year? :twisted:

[101 Saint]

If Peanut starts in the centre, I'd expect to see Oor Wullie on the left. Spoke to SS at training on Tuesday and he raved about Winger Wullie being back. In all honesty, he did play very well in a variety of positions in a game of "reds v blues", at training.

Ruti is still struggling with injury so I reckon Ando and Chalky will be the centre backs through necessity rather than choice.

Goalie, full backs, right wing and McInnes are auto picks whilst Jacko and Juke Box will start but will the finish?!

[Chuck Norris]

If Peanut starts in the centre, I'd expect to see Oor Wullie on the left. Spoke to SS at training on Tuesday and he raved about Winger Wullie being back. In all honesty, he did play very well in a variety of positions in a game of "reds v blues", at training.

Ruti is still struggling with injury so I reckon Ando and Chalky will be the centre backs through necessity rather than choice.

Goalie, full backs, right wing and McInnes are auto picks whilst Jacko and Juke Box will start but will the finish?!
...and can we have that again in English?

[+Super Trooper+]

It think coyle should defo go with jacko an the doc up front since they both hit the net and confidence will be flowing, with hardie out, i would play Quinn and Sheerin in the centre with weathersn and McClusky/McLaren on the left, and with this we can really push forward. Stanic and Irvine at the back and I am happy with either combo of centre backs however if ruti is in anyway not 100% then it might be wise to go with Ando and McManus. mon the saints.

[Calypso Kid]

Anyone else having difficulty conjuring up enthusiasm for this game after the euphoria of Paris?

I was actually thinking the opposite buddy. Not had a home game for a while, most scottish football fans are on a high and all saints fans should be expecting the tide to turn soon. All in all a heady mix of optimism!


PS, just realised England are getting pumped at egg chasing too. What a wonderful world.

[slf]

braw get it right up em

[Ronaldo]

Has Ian MColl in charge of two different teams beaten Owen Coyle's Saints in the last half year? :twisted:
No Ronnie, Dick Campbell was still there when Partick beat us 2-0 on the run-in which makes it even worse to bear. However Ian McColl was at QOS when they beat us 1-0 the week before. Bad month that. McColl has won two in a row with two different clubs if you include the League Cup penalty shoot-out.

If we win against third place Partick tomorrow we jump over them. Weird or what? :confused: :eek:

[Tranmere Saintee]

Come on Saints, Take a leaf out of Tranmere's current book - top of the table :D

[^sainteebrian^]

im not really excited for this mabye when get there and there is chanting but right now, no not excited. might be because of the big gap of no home games

[Real Madrid]

Never. Paris was great, terrific et al, but, Saints are the only team that really matters.

When Scotland win its great, when they lose its bad.each emotion is multiplied by about 1000 with Saints though.

I would swap Paris to see Saints climb that table and start making a fist of it.

I feel the other way just now and am more passionate about Scotland than saints just now.

I am struggling to get up for this game (Thats sleep and enthusiasum) but once I am there I will be ok

Get our first win and everything will be back to normal

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Get into them....Come on you Saints, Come on you Saints!!!!!

[Dunfermline Saint]

Team today is: Main, Irvine, Stanic, Anderson, Rutkiewicz, McManus, Quinn, McInnes, Deuchar, Jackson, Sheerin.
Subs: McCluskey, Weatherston, Stewart, Daal, Cuthbert.

http://www.stjohnstonefc.co.uk/newsitem.asp?NewsID=2218

[7-2]

Team today is: Main, Irvine, Stanic, Anderson, Rutkiewicz, McManus, Quinn, McInnes, Deuchar, Jackson, Sheerin.
Subs: McCluskey, Weatherston, Stewart, Daal, Cuthbert.

http://www.stjohnstonefc.co.uk/newsitem.asp?NewsID=2218
Will that be a back 4 of Ando-Ruti-Mcmanus-Stanic and Irvine right midfield?

Would love to see Stanic played left midfield!

[jazzer]

Would love to see Stanic played left midfield!

So would I. I don't think he has the legs to play left back now. We need someone to cover his ass.

[blueheaven]

Will that be a back 4 of Ando-Ruti-Mcmanus-Stanic and Irvine right midfield?

Would love to see Stanic played left midfield!

My first thought upon seeing that line-up was that we've returned to 3-5-2. It'll be interesting to see how they actually line-up.

[7-2]

My first thought upon seeing that line-up was that we've returned to 3-5-2. It'll be interesting to see how they actually line-up.I thought 3-5-2 when I saw the line up at Dunfermline but he pulled a fast one there and it remained 4-4-2. Was thinking we was doing something similar.

[nips]

So would I. I don't think he has the legs to play left back now. We need someone to cover his ass.

You dont think he has the legs to play left back but you'd like to see him play left midfield?! You do realise there's a helluva lot more running involved at left mid than there is at the back?

[jazzer]

I just feel he is a liability against pace but could still do a job going forward with someone covering his ass.

[Dunfermline Saint]

Partick have made a couple of changes, hopefully this is a sign that they are under pressure! Hopefully....

[Scobby_SJFC]

1-0 the doctor!!!

[jazzer]

Yeeeehaaaaaaaa Super doc

[Dunfermline Saint]

2-0 Quinn!!

[Moray Blue]

2-0 Quinn :)

[Scobby_SJFC]

Rocco!!!!!!!!

Bloody hell whats going on!!!

[BlairSaint]

Get In There Rocco Quinn 2-0. :D

[Dunfermline Saint]

Theory of the day - The friendly against East Fife last week was our last pre-season game. Therefore, the season has only started now!

[7-2]

Both coming after McInnes went off for Weatherstone. Interesting to know if that was just coincidence or not!

[Nairn Saint]

Just back from a big fire, great day so far! :***:

[Moray Blue]

Just back from a big fire, great day so far! :***:

Job creation at Craig Dunain NS?

[Dunfermline Saint]

Dundee missed pen v Dunfermline. 1-1 in that game.

[Dunfermline Saint]

2-1 Saints Buchanan (86)

[Moray Blue]

oops - Partick have one back

[Scobby_SJFC]

Squeeky bum time!!

[BlairSaint]

Dundee missed pen v Dunfermline. 1-1 in that game.

:***: :***:

[Dunfermline Saint]

Full time 2-1

[Nairn Saint]

Phew!

[Coltrane]

Nice one Saints!

[Dunfermline Saint]

Although we have moved up to 5th, had we lost today we would have been joint bottom of the table. Hugely important win.

[Moray Blue]

Good day

we win

Elgin win 3-2 with 3 in the last 5mins.

[Jamie_Beatson]

Strange game.

Absolute garbage for the first hour - both teams were fairly content to knock the ball about without creating anything in particular. There were half chances at either end but nothing clear cut.

Saints then won a corner, and Sheerin put in a half-decent ball for once which Deuchar headed into the corner of the net. From my angle it looked as if he had put it wide so i was standing with my hands on my head until i realised the Doc was celebrating!

A couple of minutes we made it two. We attacked down the right and the ball broke around 25 yards out to Rocco Quinn who hit a curling, dipping shot first time into the far corner - a superb strike although I wonder if the keeper was a wee bit out of position.

2-0 and cruising, then with five minutes to go we conceded a silly silly goal. The ball came in at head height, and Main elected to punch. It rebounded off of Buchanan's head, and it bounced into the back of the net.

They had a penalty shout turned down (although we had a stonewaller turned down earlier on so justice perhaps?), before their keeper decided he wanted to try to gift us a goal.

Substitute John Stewart was skinned all ends up by their keeper Tuffey twice. The second time Tuffey took the ball for a wander to 30 yards out on the left. He knocked it ahead of him to punt it, only for Stewart to run back and take it off him with no challenge. Unfortunately his shot was wide of the target.

With a minute or two left he then almost gifted us a third. It was passed back to him practically on the goal line, and Weatherston closed him down and blocked the kick. The deflection pushed the ball across the goal but the other sub, Daal, couldn't get a finishing touch.

[Dunfermline Saint]

Although we have moved up to 5th, had we lost today we would have been joint bottom of the table. Hugely important win.

Used by BBC1 on their online corner piece. :D

[Saintly Child]

Poor game today again although I thought all the new guys played really well especially Quinn, Defence was solid until the last 5 minutes then it all went to pot.
Whetherston changed the game again and must be a starter, nobody can cross a ball better then him at the moment. If you stick a good cross in the Doc will get 90% of them in the back of the net.
McIness was garbage again

[blueheaven]

How did they line up today? Was there a formation change?

[Ali91]

all the players played well today but the game was rubbish until the last twenty five minutes. thought rocco quinn was great. cheering when mcinnes went off was out of order as he didnt even have that bad a game imo.

[Ali91]

How did they line up today? Was there a formation change?

3 5 2 with stanic and irvine wing backs.

[mainstand]

3 5 2 with stanic and irvine wing backs.

Which they changed ro a 4-4-2 just before the first goal, with Goran moving into midfield and ando to left back.

Too many folk only too willing to get on teh players backs, the team only started getting good backing when they went 2 up. The anti Mcinnes faction need to take a good hard look at themselves, Cheering for your only player because he is being subbed is totally out of order. IMHO the guy was okay today.

[Radford 72]

cheering when mcinnes went off was out of order as he didnt even have that bad a game imo.
Well said mate but Saints fans need their scape goat and their bandwagon to jump on. I've been as critical as anyone of McInnes this season but how anyone can claim he was poor today defies believe. In the first half every ounce of possession we had was down to him pressing them all over the park. Christ, his opposite number was substituted at half-time such was the domination McInnes was enjoying against him. Yet he makes a couple of slips and the groans were coming from the stand.

[Radford 72]

Which they changed ro a 4-4-2 just before the first goal, with Goran moving into midfield and ando to left back.
No Mainstand, it was because McInnes went off! :roll:

Edit

I see you've edited a bit about McInnes in! Great minds! Not sure who that is more offensive to though!

[mainstand]

No Mainstand, it was because McInnes went off! :roll:

Edit

I see you've edited a bit about McInnes in! Great minds! Not sure who that is more offensive to though!

No he did actually change about 5 mins after that just before the corner Owen shouted to Ando to pass on teh instructions,

[The Real Saints]

We were not great today, but I would happily take any kind of win. Defence looked solid as usual, midfield was creative at times, and the strikers worked hard, although I am not certain whether Andy Jackson will be able to cut it at this level week in, week out. He looked lively enough though and I believe he is one of our better options at the moment, so wouldn't even contemplate dropping him for the Brechin game.
We played some nice stuff in the first half, but just lacked that killer final ball. The second half was mainly dire, until Weatherston came on and we scored our first and second goal. The latter was a fantastic effort by Quinn, but credit has to go to Davie for creating that glorious goal with a very good run.
Partick scored with a bit of a freak goal, and immediately looked livelier and more hungry. I thought they might just grab the equaliser, but we held on well, and probably deservedly got our first 3 points of the season.
On a side note, is the Partick keeper mental?

[Watty]

Cant even begin to agree with the cheering Mcinnes received upon substitution, that is not going to acheive anything, what i would say though was that him being subbed was the turning point as far as the game was concerned and we became far more dangerous looking from that stage onwards. Glad to see Dr Deuchar enjoying his goal so much and good to se him congratulate Jackson so much wneh he went off for Stewart. Not the best game or performance ever but a big win none the less, lets take it on from here.

[Radford 72]

No he did actually change about 5 mins after that just before the corner Owen shouted to Ando to pass on teh instructions,
I know, I was agreeing with you!

[Shaggy Jenkins]

poor very poor. Did not look like a team with a hell of alot of ground to make up, I am getting more and more frustrated with the way this team plays, slow and lacking in any inspiration or spark. This is not the way OC wants us to play from what he says yet for years now it is the way we are. Though the Doc and Jacko played really well but again living of scraps as the midfield offer nothing for vast periods of the game.

The booing of McInnes was out of order, he was no worse than the rest of them. Actually if some players around him offered themselve a bit then he would not look as crap, far to often there was few options for a pass for the guy

[monkfish]

Can people not be happy? It wasn't a great game but we won it, that's all you can ask. As well as McInnes getting cheered there was a fair amount of booing at half time, which was also totally unneccessary.

[Calypso Kid]

Agree that the booing was OTT at half time but for me McInnes getting hooked was the pivotal point in the game and im absolutely convinced we were heading to a 0-0 draw until he was removed and someone with an ounce of forward thinking and a shade of ability was put on instead.

He should never have started in my opinion.

[7-2]

So, booing is wrong and cheering is wrong, even though the decision that was being cheered turned out to produce what those cheering had hoped for??? And folk complain about moaning on here!!!

Its a football match ffs. What on earth do some people expect.

[monkfish]

What can you possibly achieve by booing your team because they aren't winning at half time? It's not going to make them play better, it's just going to put them on edge. The same goes for cheering McInnes getting subbed when he has not played badly. Maybe the system he was playing in wasn't producing, but he didn't personally play badly. What do you think it would do to his confidence to get jeered even when he plays well? How is making him feel that the fans will dislike him however he plays helping anyone? I'm not his biggest fan, but credit where it's due, not pointless boo-boy antics.

[Joanne]

I agree that there was an improvement with the introduction of Wetherston but also agree that the cheering when McInnes was taken off was embarrassing - what kind of way is that to treat our own players? Short memory certain saints fans have! Absolute disgrace and those involved should be ashamed. How can morale amongst the team improve with the fans treating players like that?

[lethamsaintee]

The hooking of McInnes certainly helped us in a creative sense, but he did not play at all bad today and the cheering/booing when he was taken off was totally unjustified although i did agree with the decision.

Overall, a deserved three points, but not a particularly enthralling game. Almost felt like a pre season game, but oddly, so did the first 2-0 win over them last season.

Cracking goal from Quinn.

[templeofsaints]

Agreed about McInnes - the cheering was out of order since he wasn't as bad as he has been. But, and it's a big but, I think his removal changed the game as Saints began to attack with pace from midfield - the effect was similar to the one at East End park but at least we got the goals today - Deuchar's was a clinical striker's finish and Rocco's was an absolute rocket.

Defensively we were solid but again gifted a soft goal at the end and the Kenny / Jacko partnership up front seemed to show a lot more link-up play with the pair with Jacko having as good a game as I've seen him play for us despite the attention he got from the defenders.

[mainstand]

So, booing is wrong and cheering is wrong, even though the decision that was being cheered turned out to produce what those cheering had hoped for??? And folk complain about moaning on here!!!

Its a football match ffs. What on earth do some people expect.

So you think it's okay to cheer because a player is being subbed and to boo your team when they are not winning?? Is that right??

You are obviously there as a supporter so give the team SUPPORT not try and humiliate a guy!

[eddie malone]

I thought it was f**king embarrasing today McInnes getting the grieve he got when he went off!

I agree i have never been his biggest fan but that was well out of order!

I thought he had a decent first half for us the day.

I know everyone is allowed their opinion but get off the guys back, its not like he is not trying for us.

We should be right behind every player when they pull on that jersey through thick and thin.

[101 Saint]

Interesting discussion so here's my tuppence worth. McInnes, in the limited number of games I have watched has been very poor; Dundee at home and Partick away he was truly awful. I would like to have seen him dropped for Mooner after the artick game.

Having watched training on Tuesday, he was the ultimate pro and was exceptionally fast in the sprinting sessions they carried out. In the first half today he played very well. To my mind he he was more effective than Rocco Quinn.

Booing a player could be justified (in very extreme circumstances) but not in the context of a run of poor play.

My big concern today was the lack of Jinky. He could have run their defence ragged at 2-0 in place of a struggling Quinn.

[7-2]

So you think it's okay to cheer because a player is being subbed and to boo your team when they are not winning?? Is that right??

You are obviously there as a supporter so give the team SUPPORT not try and humiliate a guy!
What a sweet little old fashioned concept.

These days you are a paying customer and if the product isnt up to standard you are allowed to complain just like any other business. The most effective way of doing that is by making your feelings known at the match.

Also, its up to the team to create the environment where there is a positive atmosphere, not the other way round. Its their flipping job after all.

[Zimmerman]

A far better approach to the game today than previous ones as we at least attempted to play from the back rather than hoofing it ALL the time. Saying that, bar the first 15 minutes and the period we scored, there was a distinct lack of creativity from both sides, but i think we just about deserved our win. Although thistle knocked the ball about well, I honestly couldnt see them scoring untill we gifted them a goal. But after that we were a bombscare at the back.

I thought all our players got at least pass marks today and although I have been the main offender slagging mciness in recent weeks, his effort and general play at least deserved pass marks. See what a difference it makes moving sheerin in centre and dropping stewart? Finally coyle has stood up and made some much needed changes and well done to him, even tho we were far from impressive.

Jacko and the doc looked good together and i think there could be a partnership in the making. Jacko held the ball up well, distribution was good and had great movement. My only concern is that I thought he was faster. The defence was solid full stop, irvine did well to stop murray from thistle driving at him and mcmanus and ruti were solid at the back.

As for the goals it was a good finish from the doc and I admit I also thought it was wide! Rocco had a good game and scored a sweet goal. However like most OF players will need to be pushed to get the full out of him, but looks like a good player.

I do wonder why stewart got on instead of mcluskey, as we could have pushed wetherston upfront. I mean what has mckluskey done wrong, especially the fact that he is coyles signing and mclaren will be back soon.

Wetherston definetly changed the game, however im still not sure if he is a winger. All in all a better performance and hopefully with hardie back we can now push on and finally start our season. Think we should punt stewart back to falkirk.

[Blues Brother]

McInness is a good honest pro. He has played some stinkers recently but has never tried to hide, has always made himself available for the out ball when a teamemate is in difficulty. He has always given 100%. To Coyles credit he has stuck by him and given him every chance to come through his poor form. In the end while I accept that he was OK in the 1st half there is a lingering doubt as to whether he can still hack it. I get no pleasure watching a good and well respected player struggle as the years begin to take there toll.
I have a feeling he'll make a excellent coach.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

The first half of the game was in my opinion , insipid, with little cohesion plenty hoofs up the park and next to no creative play what so ever. Chances were few and far between and when there was any flow to the game it was brought to a halt by over zealous refereeing..The good news was it must get better after the break...And so it did .....eventually.
The game changed ( and not for the first time this term) on substitutions. Exit McKinnes enter Weatherston and low and behold we started to look like a team that was going not only to score but to win..And so it proved , although the last five minutes were a bit jumpy..Not the best game I,ve seen by a long long way, but mission accomplished, points on the board, onwards and upwards..Defence was solid again(Freaky goal shaky last five minutes )Thistle never really looked like they were going to score.The rest of the team still need to improve quite a bit but were on our way...

And for what it,s worth, I personally thought McKinnes was very poor again and he now must be dropped.....

[Perth-Saint]

Whilst I was glad that McInnus went off when he did, I believe he didnt play badly although ran out of legs a bit. I was surprise by the jeering when he came off

[Colonel Sanderson]

The game changed ( and not for the first time this term) on substitutions. Exit McKinnes enter Weatherston and low and behold we started to look like a team that was going not only to score but to win..And so it proved

Could some folk argue that your observations represent good coaching? Personally, I'd prefer to see us going full steam from the off (a la Totten), but if I'm being very, very generous to Coyle's tactics, he could be defined as a 'modern' coach (i.e. efficient/ dull). Use McInnes for 50-60 mins to balance game out, use impact players with pace to generate chances against a tiring defence. Nothing new in that style plenty of other teams/ coaches use it, it's just Coyle seems to be addicted to dragging a game out to the 60 minute mark and looking for pace/ creativity to win games. Problem is, we also leak goals in the final 1/3rd of a game (possibly because of other teams subbies). It will be interesting to analyse the merits of this system after 15 games... just hope we don't get too many draws.

[Calypso Kid]

The cheering of McInnes when he went off was to be entirely expected when punters are paying ridiculous prices to watch what is obviously becoming a "jobs for the boys" scenario at McD.

i don't condone it but i half expected it. Its too late now to get a replacement but with Quinns performance, Hardie due back and the option of playing a better player in Sheerin in that position i would be amazed if he is STILL 1st choice in a few weeks. Time will tell but i think Coyle will stick with him.

[Jamie_Beatson]

While I don't agree with the cheering/jeering of McInnes, I don't think anyone can deny the team was more dangerous after he went off.

He did better today than he has before, but that isn't saying a great deal. He put himself about, but quite often played a poor pass forward or held on to the ball for far too long.

However, I'm sure he will still start on Tuesday.

[Ronaldo]

I thought when I heard the team line-ups that we were set out too defensively. much less offensive players than normal and I assumed Owen had done this for tactical reasons or squad limitations -

Irvine - Defender;
Stanic - Defender;
Ruti - Defender;
Anderson - Defender;
McManus - Defender;
McInnes - Defensive Midfielder.

When McInnes went off the team was better balanced but that's not McInnes's fault. I think it was tactical to play like that for an hour but I might be wrong.

[SaintSam1884]

I think the midfield was alright, but very slow until McInnes went off. With the defensive aspect of Stanic and Irvine in a five man midfield, I don't see the need for McInnes. Particularly when we're playing at home. Correct me if I'm wrong and we do need him, but the game was won after he went off and we went more attacking. We needed that injection of pace and Weatherston was involved in the build up to both goals.

Had Hardie been fit, I would have played him directly in place of McInnes although I suspect had Hardie been fit, we'd have played 4-4-2.

McInnes played in a peach of a pass over the top to I think Quinn in the first half though. Really impressive play from McInnes. You can tell he used to be a player in his day, but he reads the game five paces too slow nowadays I think. I felt sorry for him when the crowd sarcastically cheered his substitution though.

[Radford 72]

Against them in the CIS Cup a few weeks ago, McStay and Rowson dominated the game in the middle of the park, something that was accepted on here afterwards. Yesterday McStay got subbed at half-time because McInnes didn't let him get in the game.

We scored after he went off, and changed our shape, but in the closing stages were a mess because we didn't have his influence sitting in front of the backline. I've been as critical as anyone of him but it's when it's been deserved. No one can claim he deserved the reaction he got yesterday when he was subbed. If Moon had turned in a performance like McInnes yesterday, folk would be raving about it.

[Calypso Kid]

I didn't see a world class performance from McInnes yesterday. I saw an experienced holding midfield player doing what you would expect from him apart from 2 or 3 lapses in concentration which led to posession turnovers.

When we're up against it and being dominated i think McInnes would be vital but when we need to be pushing the game and need a spark i would play Hardie/Quinn/Sheerin ahead of him in the middle.

[SaintSam1884]

I guess Derek McInnes is suffering much the same fate that Mark Reilly did then!

[Steve Maskrey]

What a sweet little old fashioned concept.

These days you are a paying customer and if the product isnt up to standard you are allowed to complain just like any other business. The most effective way of doing that is by making your feelings known at the match.

Also, its up to the team to create the environment where there is a positive atmosphere, not the other way round. Its their flipping job after all.

Of course you are welcome to complain but is it complaining for complaining's sake? Drastic course of action IMO given that McInnes wasn't playing badly and we weren't losing. The substitution made the difference in that Weatherston was a better wide player than Quinn. The tactical decision to switch to 4-4-2 was a good one but I doubt the result would've been much different if McInnes had stayed on and Quinn had gone off. He did score a peach of a goal though!

[mainstand]

I think the midfield was alright, but very slow until McInnes went off. With the defensive aspect of Stanic and Irvine in a five man midfield, I don't see the need for McInnes. Particularly when we're playing at home. Correct me if I'm wrong and we do need him, but the game was won after he went off and we went more attacking. We needed that injection of pace and Weatherston was involved in the build up to both goals.


Are you saying that the game changed with McInnes going off or OC changing the play tactically by moving froma 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2. You could also say that by playing mcinness in a holding role and with 2 wingbacks Quinn and sheerin then had fredom to push on and support teh strikers so instead of being a defensive line up it can quickly move to an offensive 3-3-4.

When I saw the line up I could see why he was only playing with a 3 at the back as PTFC just drag 10 men behind teh ball as soon as we got it.

[7-2]

Of course you are welcome to complain but is it complaining for complaining's sake?
The only people that can answer that are the people who were doing the booing/cheering. Doesnt the fact that a large number of folk were doing it mean something though?

Personally I suspect a lot of it will be a reflection of the frustration felt over whats happened or not happened over the last few years, parts of last season being the exception of course!

[Calypso Kid]

I agree 7-2. The reaction to McInnes going off wasn't a spur of the moment thing. The feeling of despair about McInnes has been growing for weeks/months now and Coyles reluctance to change it fans the flames really.

[pavel]

McInness is a good honest pro. He has played some stinkers recently but has never tried to hide....


Apart from running up the tunnel to do just that, after missing a penalty in the cup.
Some people forget.

No need for the treatment from the fans today though, it was totally unjust, he had one bad pass today and the rest was good.
Some fans are arseholes but it wasn't just one or two, it was half the stand that erupted into sarcastic cheering when he got subbed. Joke!

[macmerrysaint]

Where I was sitting people were clapping and cheering the substitution but I got the impressoin it was more to do with Coyle changing things around, rather than because it was McInnes. It had been a very drab affair up until that point and I felt the fans were getting frustrated because Coyle could and should have changed things a bit earlier. As it was we had to endure 70 minutes of pain before things picked up.

[Noose76]

Mind numbing first half, that I dont want to talk about (McCall put it perfectly calling it crap) and slow to get starting the 2nd half but it shows the difference Weatherston makes. We need his attacking flair and willingness to run at the defenders, and this was proven with him skinning the number 3 for Rocco's goal, all be it with a spot of luck. The number 3 was an arrogant **** and got a pie tin to the heed by some idiot down the front hehehe shame he didnt hit him with the ball aswell after that stone waller. We need to start with Weatherston tomorrow night and really go at them as I can see us scoring a few goals. Ive never been a big fan of Jacko but hes starting to mature into a half decent player, holding his own up front bearing in mind his stature. I wasnt going to bother tomorrow night but Im hooked again so Ill be there.

[garydavidson]

did anyone read the sun today? why do they let ian mccall open his mouth?

"all st johnstone wanted to do was batter the ball to deuchar all the time" well he is the striker so it would make sense to try and get it to him. The rest of the article was just bigging up quinn who was saying he is battling for a new contract with celtic come the end of the season.

[Cagey]

Where I was sitting people were clapping and cheering the substitution but I got the impressoin it was more to do with Coyle changing things around, rather than because it was McInnes. It had been a very drab affair up until that point and I felt the fans were getting frustrated because Coyle could and should have changed things a bit earlier. As it was we had to endure 70 minutes of pain before things picked up.

I think you are spot on there. There were a few that were glad to see McInness go off but I think more were just happy that Coyle had seen fit to make a substitution when it was obvious that nothing was happening.

I think I remember last season about this time we were complaining about lack of entertainment ,so nothing changes.

[Radford 72]

Coyle has had a fair old rant in the PA today about the treatment McInnes received. Basic jist is he's a great ambassador for the club and has done a lot for Saints since his arrival. He knows himself his standards have slipped in a couple of games but Coyle has never known a player who plays any better when treated to a chorus of boos. He can think of some who have reacted positively to encouragement though. He say's he thought we were all in this together, like we were last season, and basically just pleads with folk to cut it out and back all the players and the team.

[templeofsaints]

Coyle has had a fair old rant in the PA today about the treatment McInnes received. Basic jist is he's a great ambassador for the club and has done a lot for Saints since his arrival. He knows himself his standards have slipped in a couple of games but Coyle has never known a player who plays any better when treated to a chorus of boos. He can think of some who have reacted positively to encouragement though. He say's he thought we were all in this together, like we were last season, and basically just pleads with folk to cut it out and back all the players and the team.

The problem is though that anytime anyone else has shown a dip in form they've been dropped like a hot potato. As for a professional attitude, I'm sorry but when you're skipper and you miss the penalty in a shootout you should be standing with your teammates not sprinting up the bloody tunnel to hide.

[Saintkev]

Not read all this... don't have the time, but...

Booing at every half-time whistle... get a grip!

Treatment of McInnes... bang out of order... why do folk have to have someone to treat like this? Funnily enough I was looking back into the Rangers game last year and at the end of the Temple match report, it says well done to those who have come in for stick, such as Ando, Lawrie and HARDIE!! What's the point?

Game overall, wasn't a classic, but don't think it was as bad as folk have been making out... and a win was the most important thing.

[Saintkev]

Not read all this... don't have the time, but...

Booing at every half-time whistle... get a grip!

Treatment of McInnes... bang out of order... why do folk have to have someone to treat like this? Funnily enough I was looking back into the Rangers game last year and at the end of the Temple match report, it says well done to those who have come in for stick, such as Ando, Lawrie and HARDIE!! What's the point?

Game overall, wasn't a classic, but don't think it was as bad as folk have been making out... and a win was the most important thing.

[Noose76]

The booing at half time was a joke, if we get humiliated after 90 minutes then maybe it can be justified but 45 mins is taking the piss.

[Dunfermline Saint]

Highlights are on the official site now.