Hamilton Academical vs. Saints 15/12/07

[GeorgetheSaint]

Just wondered about your thoughts for the team on saturday. Mine is as follows.

Cuthbert
Irvine
Stanic
Mcmanus
Anderson
Sheerin
Quinn
McInnes
Weatherston
Jackson
McDonald
SUBS
Main
Lawrie
Mclaren
Daal
Milne

What do you think. I was tempted by 4 3 3, but went 4 4 2.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Pretty good shout there except you have got to start with Milne. Was the best player last week by miles and won the spot kick at Partick before being involved in setting up the equaliser. Milne and Jacko up front ,Peaso on the bench. Maybe play one of the trialist as a trialist from the bench and get Willie away to feck.

[wee lee #1]

if mcinnes plays i would like to see TD come out of the dugout and shout some instructions too the players cos for the whole first half on saturday he never.

main
irvine
ando
rusty
stanic
sheerin
rocco
mcinnes
jackson
milne
mcdonald

[dan the saint]

Main / Cuthbert


Irvine - Anderson - McManus - Stanic

Weatherston - McInnes (c) - Quinn - Sheerin

Milne - Jackson

SUBS

Main / Cuthbert
Lawrie
jackson
McDonald
Daal

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

if mcinnes plays i would like to see TD come out of the dugout and shout some instructions too the players cos for the whole first half on saturday he never.

main
irvine
ando
rusty
stanic
sheerin
rocco
mcinnes
jackson
milne
mcdonald

Rusty will not get a game as he,s suspended and quite frankly if he wasn't he might not get a game anyway due to how shite he's played in the last two games

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Main / Cuthbert


Irvine - Anderson - McManus - Stanic

Weatherston - McInnes (c) - Quinn - Sheerin

Milne - Jackson

SUBS

Main / Cuthbert
Lawrie
jackson
McDonald
Daal

We got two Jacksons then:confused: ??????You got the right team though; although your sitting on the fence a bit with your choice of keeper:?

[St Mikey]

Put Daal in goal! Better than Main.

After seeing that 2nd Morton goal again makes it worse. He got lobbed straight over his head! Thats p*sh.

Cuthbert defo in goal, we cannot rely on "ageing 40 year old" main.

[sconesjfc]

Cuthbert
Irvine Ando McHooof Stanic

McCinnes
Weatheston Sheerin Jackson??
Savo Peaso

[dan the saint]

We got two Jacksons then:confused: ??????You got the right team though; although your sitting on the fence a bit with your choice of keeper:?


thanx for pointing it out.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

thanx for pointing it out.

It's an absolute pleasure and it's a shame cos we could do with 2 Jacksons:)

[dan the saint]

Main / Cuthbert


Irvine - Anderson - McManus - Stanic

Weatherston - McInnes (c) - Quinn - Sheerin

Milne - Jackson

SUBS

Main / Cuthbert
Lawrie
jackson
McDonald
Daal


Main / Cuthbert


Irvine - Anderson - McManus - Stanic

Weatherston - McInnes (c) - Quinn - Sheerin

Milne - Jackson

SUBS

Main / Cuthbert
Lawrie
Rutkiewicz
McDonald
Daal

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Cuthbert


Irvine - Anderson - McManus - Stanic

Weatherston - McInnes (c) - Quinn - Sheerin

Milne - Jackson

SUBS

Main
Lawrie
Rutkiewicz
McDonald
Daal

Bad news I afraid Rustys suspended.Next version please :wink: and I,ve sorted out your goalie:p

[MUZZ]

main
irvine ando mcmanus stanic
waetherston quinn sheerin mclaren(in his correct position)
milne jackson

[dan the saint]

Bad news I afraid Rustys suspended.Next version please :wink: and I,ve sorted out your goalie:p


Main / Cuthbert


Irvine - Anderson - McManus - Stanic

Weatherston - McInnes (c) - Quinn - Sheerin

Milne - Jackson

SUBS

Main / Cuthbert
Lawrie
Barr
McDonald
Daal

[ancientsaint]

Main

Irvine McManus Anderson Stanic


Quinn McInnes Sheerin


Milne Jackson MacDonald




Cuthbert
Lawrie
Moon
Stewart
Weatherston

[SJFC1988,]

Personally:

Cuthbertinho

Irvine McManus Anderson Stanic

Weatherson Quinn Sheerin McLaren#

Jackson Milne

[R.B.B:- Adz]

Eventhough i wish it was otherwise i think we will go:

Main

Irvine - McManus - Anderson - Stanic

Weatherston - Quinn - McInnes - Sheerin

Milne - McDonald

Cuthbert
Lawrie
Moon
Jackson
Stewart

Think Weatherston is sure to start and he will stick with Main due to the fact the match is too important to make such a switch. If he plays 4-3-3 swap Davie with Jacko but he will play 4-4-2 i'd have thought rather than a miss matched 4-3-3 who dont know whether they are coming or going.
Not sure why some people have included Dyron on the bench.

[+Super Trooper+]

---------Main----------
Irvine-McManus-Ando-Stanic
Davie-McInnes-Rocco-Sheerin
----Savo----Jacko----

Don't think cuthbert can start cos the pressure on him would be massive and we have all seen him crumble under pressure so main for this game. If he fails to impress yet again i think cuthbert should be given a chance.

[Radford 72]

Not sure why some people have included Dyron on the bench.
No, me neither. I said the other week I wouldn't be averse to him getting another chance but John Stewart played at Montrose on Tuesday and did well, whilst Dyron was nowhere to be seen.

I think it's hard to name a team until we know the situation with the three trialists. All of them have been here long enough that starting them shouldn't be a massive problem, although ideally you wouldn't start all three.

[Ronaldo]

--------------------- Main -------------------------

Irvine ------- Anderson - McManus ------ Stanic

------- - Quinn ---- McInnes ------Sheerin --------

-- Jackson ----------- Savo ------------ Weatherston

[Ronaldo]

I hope the defence has worked hard all week and we stay very tight.

[TheBigCheese]

This will be the first game I'll have made since the cup final (and the start of a run of five games in a row that I can get to :) - expect the form to get even worse). If anyone wants a lift from North West Engerland PM me.

This is a must win game for Saints and we have a very good record at New Douglas Park and against Hamilton in general but given recent results I don't hold out much hope for anything other than a draw. I hope Weatherston plays as I liked what I saw of him earlier in the year, it's good to have Savo back lets hope he repays Saints for the new contract by hammering in a few goals.

[R.B.B:- Adz]

Have to say i like the look of Ronaldo's 4-3-3 but still think he'll go 4-4-2.

To be honest though Radford neither Dyron or Stewart will feature before xmas. Merely there to make up the depth of the squad at the moment. As for Dyron was just not ready for starting in reserves yet although he's ready now so i'd expect to see him featuring soon.

As for the trialists i beleive none of them will start, possibility for a place on the bench for Niang.

[monkfish]

As for the trialists i beleive none of them will start, possibility for a place on the bench for Niang.

Has he got his clearance yet? I'm guessing he didn't on Tuesday if he wasn't playing in the Reserve game.

[R.B.B:- Adz]

No he hasnt, not sure about today though, he might by now but i doubt it. Good possibility for saturday though. Terms have been offered but i dont think Niang has been given the gaffers full attention at the moment so i dont think its going to be an immediate thing.

[TheBigCheese]

No he hasnt, not sure about today though, he might by now but i doubt it. Good possibility for saturday though. Terms have been offered but i dont think Niang has been given the gaffers full attention at the moment so i dont think its going to be an immediate thing.

Out of interest, where do you get your insider information from? If the Alan Morgan information you had is anything to go by then Papa Lazarou will be off to Motherwell tomorrow.

[R.B.B:- Adz]

As for Alan Morgan he'd apparently been apporached by Kilmarnock before he was training with Saints(not to my knowledge) and we'd offered him facilities with the scope to offering him a contract. My apologies for that one! My bad! haha! If he knows anything about simon mensing he wont go to motherwell ;-)

[Tranmere Saintee]

Have pinched this from Mainstand in the Travel Thread (so if there are problems I will take the thanks for helping to publicise this and if there are none then it is all Mainstands fault :***: :***:

Watch for traffic problems on the way to Hamilton tomorrow, There is a fuel protest on which will see lorries leave Hamilton at 10 travel to Edinburgh then on to Stirling and then to Hamilton down the A80.

[Nairn Saint]

Have pinched this from Mainstand in the Travel Thread (so if there are problems I will take the thanks for helping to publicise this and if there are none then it is all Mainstands fault :***: :***:

Watch for traffic problems on the way to Hamilton tomorrow, There is a fuel protest on which will see lorries leave Hamilton at 10 travel to Edinburgh then on to Stirling and then to Hamilton down the A80.

Silly truckers!

[williamwonka]

protest by wasting fuel shocking. Can someone who has my number give me updates today please? Im at a wedding. :( trying to get the bride to reconsider and perish any second thoughts she has :)

[Nairn Saint]

Any Saints win will do thanks!

[Dunfermline Saint]

According to Sky Sports, Craig Owen is playing for us today???

[Dunfermline Saint]

Main
Irvine
Stanic
Anderson
McManus
Quinn
Sheerin
Moon
Craig (I'm guessing)
Jackson
Peaso

Subs

Milne
Weatherston
Stewart
McLaren
Cuthbert

[pezza70]

Who is Craig Owen?

[a monkey]

it's sky sports' way of saying liam craig

[pezza70]

cheers

[Saintly Child]

1-0 Accies :(

[Shaggy Jenkins]

one down 10 mins

[chips for tea]

1-0 hamilton mcarthur

[Saintly Child]

Scum are 1 up against Morton.

[Dunfermline Saint]

16 points behind as it stands, plus dropped to 5th! :shock:

[Nairn Saint]

Crap

[garydavidson]

worst placing in the league since owen took over, livi are above us :( my mates a livi fan this is not good.

is the guy that scored that wee kid that trained with liverpool?

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Booking for Mensing...Nothing changes there then.

[Dunfermline Saint]

thug! :***:

[MUZZ]

keep the faith or whatever its called

[Dunfermline Saint]

Still due a penalty mind!

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

We're sitting in 5th place and now Burnley are up to 5th place .Leading 1-0 against Preston. I think thats a bit like us v Dundee. Local derby

[SJC]

If Stirling v QOS doesn't end up a draw we're in trouble.

[Dunfermline Saint]

Rocco booked

[pezza70]

shit a brick so to speak

[SJC]

Why is Milne on the bench if he's supposed to be over his injury?

Why the hell are Weatherston and McClaren on the bench when we need to win this game?

Unbelievable!

[Dunfermline Saint]

half time 1-0

[SJC]

Savo, Weatherston and McClaren to come on in the second half surely!

Looking at that team theres no-one capable of playing on the right wing, and we have 2 players on the bench who can do just that!

[blueheaven]

Why the hell are Weatherston and McClaren on the bench when we need to win this game?

Since when was McLaren a match-winner?

[SJC]

Do we only pick players capable of winning matches on their own now?

He can play on the right, he's far from the best in the team but as it stands, we have to go and win this game.

McClaren has had his fair share of assists this year, it's worth a gamble to bring him on now.

[a monkey]

we've had most of the posession and the most chances but just can't finish them off.

sound familiar?

[blueheaven]

Do we only pick players capable of winning matches on their own now?

No, but you seemed to be implying it was crazy for McLaren to only be on the bench when we needed to win the game. But from the outside looking in this season, it doesn't look like McLaren has done much, and I know that when I've seen him he's been fairly poor (although better than last season). In fact, when he does start, people on here generally call for him to be dropped. So I don't think it's hugely controversial for him not to be in the team today.

[SJC]

I wouldn't have started McClaren either, Weatherston should be playing on the right, or up front in his best position.

If we don't have anyone else to play on the right wing then McClaren must surely be given a game?

[Dunfermline Saint]

Mensing subbed

[Shaggy Jenkins]

"Fat lady this is your 45min call, you have 45 mins"

[Shaggy Jenkins]

http://www.zenwaiter.com/photos/index/fat%20lady%20sings.jpg

[garydavidson]

I would like to see weatherston up front he should be given the chance he did the job for QP last season there and the divisions are not dissimilar defensive wise.

McLaren is a weird one, can have moments where he is amazing but just not enough of them.

Hamilton are not a good team we destroyed them last time even though we were one down at half time. my livi mate said the same when he watched them last week, seems they just finish the chances they get.

[MUZZ]

we need daal

[a monkey]

"Fat lady this is your 45min call, you have 45 mins"

http://www.vg.no/bilder/bildarkiv/1075033335.jpg

[Dunfermline Saint]

Why couldn't the saying be "It's not over 'til the highly attractive lady sings!"

It would have been one positive about everything going wrong!!

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

http://www.vg.no/bilder/bildarkiv/1075033335.jpg

She aint no lady.....The saying doesn't have the same ring to it when it's "It aint over till the fat burd sings":***:

[SJC]

Have we started off the second half with the same team?

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

It,s all going tits up for OC. 2-1 Preston!!!

[Dunfermline Saint]

Have we started off the second half with the same team?

Looks like it

[Saintly Child]

Christ Dunfermline are winning.

[Dunfermline Saint]

Christ Dunfermline are winning.

and only 4 points behind us as it stands :shock:

[SJC]

2-2 at Burnley now.

[garydavidson]

Why couldn't the saying be "It's not over 'til the highly attractive lady sings!"

It would have been one positive about everything going wrong!!

http://www.klmtravel.co.uk/images/GirlsAloud_000.jpg

[Saintly Child]

I'll take a draw Ha Ha.

[Dunfermline Saint]

Thank you GD...........thank you!

[garydavidson]

it was needed, need to find their Christmas photo for some festive cheer.

[Jamie_Beatson]

Anyone heard from anyone at the game? Radio suggested at half time that we weren't actually doing too badly.

[a monkey]

have we made any changes since half time?
i can't get the sky sports site on my computer atm

[Dunfermline Saint]

Hamilton used all 3 subs by 60 mins. maybe we aren't playing badly. Running out of time though.

[SJC]

QOS and Dunfy winning drags us right down the league, Hamilton and Dundee are flying at the top and now we're playing to stay up!

I thought the season was over, but it isn't yet!

[Dunfermline Saint]

We're back up to 4th now.....one positive thing! :***:

[garydavidson]

http://www.7digital.com/shops/assets/sleeveart/%5C00602498754627_350.JPEG
keep the faith.



----------------
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[SJC]

Have we made any changes yet?

[Dunfermline Saint]

Have we made any changes yet?

nope

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

They've just called last orders in the "Last Chance Saloon"

COME ON YEE SAINTS.DIG DEEP NOW!!!!!!

[Dunfermline Saint]

Stanic off Weatherston on

[a monkey]

Stanic off Weatherston on

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

too late though

[SJC]

A sub with a few minutes to go- inspired!

[Dunfermline Saint]

Jackson off Stewart on

[SJC]

Whoa Derek, calm things down here with the subs!

Easy mate.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Think we're busted now!!!!!!!:cry:

[Saintly Child]

We needed 6 points from the last two games and got only 1 point. That tells the story.
We aint going up this year.

Start buying and building a new team for next year Del.

[Broggy Man]

yep dooooooooooooooomed

[SJC]

Final score not in yet, but all other games finished.

The only result that went in our favour is Dunfermline drawing.

15 points off the top, 6 points off the playoff position.

Disgraceful situation.

[blueheaven]

This match report just in from TheBigCheese live at New Douglas Park... "absolute garbage".

[garydavidson]

beer it is then. evening sorted. how long have we been in this division? how different it was 11 years ago :(

[SJC]

We could well be doomed alright, this is relegation form at the moment.

We will need to make a few signings in January just to make sure we can stay in the first division, never mind win it!

[Nairn Saint]

Dire sh1te

[Dunfermline Saint]

That's why i hate fat women...go and ruin everything.

Not devestated, just greeted with depressing acceptance, you get used to after a while.

[garydavidson]

thats two weeks in a row our result has been late. last week it never made it in for 5.

[Shaggy Jenkins]

We are not good enough, we are the most financially secure in the division, no one else came out with the profit we have. yet we are not willing to pay the going rate for players to get us out of this division and I dont see that changing. We have to be more adventurous with the money its all very nice to take a moral stance about finances in scottish football but we are being killed slowly by good intentions

[Saintly Child]

Its getting to the stage this season that you won't feel confident facing any team in this league with the team we have.

So many players past it and need replaced.

[MUZZ]

time to rip the squad up and start again from fresh. starting in january. no point chasing a lost cause.

[SJC]

We should call the team McDiarmid Park FC because that's all Geoff Broon is interested in.

Jehovas Witness conventions, concerts, Wummins Fitbaw, Scotland youth tournaments and the occasional Rugby match- all of which could probably manage to put together 11 folk capable of beating Saints at the moment.

[chips for tea]

Aye we're fooked alright !

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

OH! BUGGER!!!

[garydavidson]

its not that bad at least we know saints will be around for a long time to come. this division is tough to get out of. i do agree though its time to show intentions to mearly exist as a team or to be a good team that can be in the spl for a long spell.

[patsy]

2 points out of 9 aint bad





















its fookin sh**e.

why make subs with three mins to go, del has been on the pitch many times when oc's 4.44 substitutes have not worked. simple del if it aint working dont be afraid to make changes your not gonna get off the hook like thistle every week

[SJC]

Almost every other team in the country will be here for a long time to come as well though.

Absoltely nobody can say we are being run well as a football club, we are being run to make a profit for whatever reason.

I'm not asking for mega wages which would put us at risk, but when Hamilton, Dundee, ICT, St Mirren and Falkirk pay much higher wages than us then we need to have a look at ourselves because they are not bigger clubs than us by any stretch of the imagination.

Hopefully a few signings in January can start an overhaul, DM has been left with a squad who are past it and it's going to be very difficult to turn it round as there is no-one in that team who we can rely on, be it as a result of age/ injury or quality.

We need a new keeper, at least 2 new defenders, 2 or 3 midfielders and 2 strikers- and that's just to replace the first 11, never mind the players in the squad who have been picking up wages while injured or signing like Daal who are nowhere near the standard of player who should be with us.

I have faith in McInnes, but he could well be on a hiding to nothing in charge of Saints beause the task at hand is so big, and because of the expectancy within the club and support that we should be the best team in first division.

Start off with signing Deuchar from Gretna- we need a player like that at Saints, a no- pissing about goal- scorer.

[blueheaven]

So do people still share Geoff Brown and Derek McInnes' view that we're only a couple of players away from having a "near-perfect" squad??

[SJC]

Breaking down the team that started today, we need a few new players in.

Main- definately need a replacement, not sure if Cuthbert is the man for the job either.

Stanic- past it now, slow, struggling with niggling injuries- great player for us but his time is up.

McManus- solid.

Anderson- He has a few good games then a nightmare, can make a goal saving challenge one minute then give it away needlessly the next- scorer of the worst OG at McDiarmid.

Irvine- struggling playing alongside such an unsettled defence, has shown brilliance in flashes throughout the season but has also had a couple of nightmare games, namely Clyde at McDiarmid.

Craig- unknown/ too early to say.

Sheerin- past it now, great record scoring penalties though, apart from that he has done very little this season.

Moon- could be one for the future but needs better players around him.

Quinn- quality footballer, but prone to losing heart and wandering around the centre circle, also can start chasing the ball around the pitch making us lose our shape in the middle of the park.

Peaso- another one who is past it, very slow now.

Jackson- played brilliantly alongside Deuchar, struggled inbetween these times though.

Weatherston- should be playing up front alongside Jackson.

Stewart- hopefully going back to Falkirk.

McClaren- another one who needs to be moved on.

Milne- needs to prove his fitness, out again today after saying during the week how his injury problems were over and he had never felt better since joining Saints......

[Shaggy Jenkins]

Almost every other team in the country will be here for a long time to come as well though.

Absoltely nobody can say we are being run well as a football club, we are being run to make a profit for whatever reason.

I'm not asking for mega wages which would put us at risk, but when Hamilton, Dundee, ICT, St Mirren and Falkirk pay much higher wages than us then we need to have a look at ourselves because they are not bigger clubs than us by any stretch of the imagination.

Hopefully a few signings in January can start an overhaul, DM has been left with a squad who are past it and it's going to be very difficult to turn it round as there is no-one in that team who we can rely on, be it as a result of age/ injury or quality.

We need a new keeper, at least 2 new defenders, 2 or 3 midfielders and 2 strikers- and that's just to replace the first 11, never mind the players in the squad who have been picking up wages while injured or signing like Daal who are nowhere near the standard of player who should be with us.

I have faith in McInnes, but he could well be on a hiding to nothing in charge of Saints beause the task at hand is so big, and because of the expectancy within the club and support that we should be the best team in first division.

Start off with signing Deuchar from Gretna- we need a player like that at Saints, a no- pissing about goal- scorer.

Good post. I could not of put it better myself!! Word for word agree, over caution has really cost us from the Euro season onwards. If for what ever reason we cannot do what those other teams are doing wages wise (and I see no reason why we cannot) then please tell us and stop saying that SPL is the goal. We wont do it on the cheap, its time to put up a little more or shut up.

This is probably another depressing post after yet another season of failure but! It is begining to feel like a very slow slip into mediocrity and as such a very slow painfull death. Slowly people will slip away, the future feels at the moment more like 89 at Boghead rather than 6000 at Monaco

[Shaggy Jenkins]

So do people still share Geoff Brown and Derek McInnes' view that we're only a couple of players away from having a "near-perfect" squad??

Didnay beleive it at the time

[silver_blue]

No we're not two away from a perfect squad we're about five players away. Keeper , full back, two midfielders and a BIG fast centre forward although Deuchar will do in January.

Sad thing is there isn't a "good" team in the league again and this time we won't even flatter to deceive.

[Shaggy Jenkins]

Breaking down the team that started today, we need a few new players in.

Main- definately need a replacement, not sure if Cuthbert is the man for the job either.

Stanic- past it now, slow, struggling with niggling injuries- great player for us but his time is up.

McManus- solid.

Anderson- He has a few good games then a nightmare, can make a goal saving challenge one minute then give it away needlessly the next- scorer of the worst OG at McDiarmid.

Irvine- struggling playing alongside such an unsettled defence, has shown brilliance in flashes throughout the season but has also had a couple of nightmare games, namely Clyde at McDiarmid.

Craig- unknown/ too early to say.

Sheerin- past it now, great record scoring penalties though, apart from that he has done very little this season.

Moon- could be one for the future but needs better players around him.

Quinn- quality footballer, but prone to losing heart and wandering around the centre circle, also can start chasing the ball around the pitch making us lose our shape in the middle of the park.

Peaso- another one who is past it, very slow now.

Jackson- played brilliantly alongside Deuchar, struggled inbetween these times though.

Weatherston- should be playing up front alongside Jackson.

Stewart- hopefully going back to Falkirk.

McClaren- another one who needs to be moved on.

Milne- needs to prove his fitness, out again today after saying during the week how his injury problems were over and he had never felt better since joining Saints......

Are you my long lost brother? Again pretty much the same. Still a Main fan tho

Also relying on the likes of James to come back and al will be well is foolish he is finished.

[Broon]

Just back from the game. Oh well.

First half we actually played some very good football with Peaso absolutely outstanding on the wing. Mensing is a lucky boy he never got the red he deserved in the first half after Peaso destroyed him for 45 minutes. He committed 4 fouls after his first half booking (after an excellent piece of skill by Peaso) but the ref never produced what would have been a deserved red.

That aside, Hamilton scored through a 20 yard trundler which blunder keeper Main weetabix dived over. Shocking goalkeeping from a has been who should retire gracefully whilst we still have the respect he earned in his fantastic first spell at the club. After that goal went in Hamilton resorted to 11 men behind the ball and timewasting and it worked - we had no idea how to break them down.

In the end, after 45 minutes of torture in the second half we never deserved anything from the game. The subs were too late and never changed anything, the midfield had no spark and we lacked height up front.

Leagues over, lets start looking over our shoulders.

[Gods Favourite Angel]

So do people still share Geoff Brown and Derek McInnes' view that we're only a couple of players away from having a "near-perfect" squad??

i a couple of dozen :evil: :evil: :evil:

[Broon]

Peaso- another one who is past it, very slow now.



You obviously have not watched the last two games - far too good for Saints and EASILY our best player.

[blueheaven]

Generally speaking I've always supported Saints' cautious spending policy, but when you look at clubs like Dundee (cheated, weren't punished, and are now above us again), Motherwell (cheated, weren't punished, and are still a comfortably established SPL side) and Livi (cheated, weren't punished, but aren't doing any worse than we did a few seasons ago or much worse than we are now), you have to wonder what we would really have had to lose by pushing the boat out a little.

In hindsight, after we'd finished 3rd in the SPL we could have gone out and signed Ravanelli and Caniggia and whoever else happened to be on the mercenary circuit, had another couple of seasons of doing well, then released those players and gone into administration, and by now we probably wouldn't be any worse off in terms of league position or playing staff than we are anyway.

How can other First Division clubs who are less stable than us afford to pay higher wages? That said though, I don't think that's all there is to it. Regardless of wages, we had the best players in the league last season - better than Gretna's - but Coyle wasn't good enough to get them producing the goods consistently enough to finish top.

[superhans]

main was bullshit again

[Radford 72]

I must have been watching a different game for most of you on here.

We dominated the first half but lost a poor goal due to another error from Main. That apart, we knocked the ball around well and pushed lots of men forward. They defended well - Elebert and McLaughlin have only conceded one goal all season - but we were very unlucky to be behind at the break.

In the second half, Hamilton sat on what they had and were difficult to break down. Sometimes you just have to credit the opposition. Best chance of the half was when Halliwell tipped over a header from either Peaso or Jacko.

We didn't panic at any point though and kept trying to play football, with the 4-3-3 formation working well after failing at Hamilton.

We won't win the league but honestly, some folk on here need to get a grip.

[Chuck Norris]

I'm not asking for mega wages which would put us at risk, but when Hamilton, Dundee, ICT, St Mirren and Falkirk pay much higher wages than us then we need to have a look at ourselves because they are not bigger clubs than us by any stretch of the imagination.
You know for a fact that they pay bigger wages?

From what I understand, those clubs pay the occasional big wage to get a particular player on board, but removing those, the average isn't that different from ours. If anything, we've signed too many players on or around the average, rather than having a few star turns on big money and a few kids/cloggers getting a bit less.

More of a wage ceiling than a 'structure'.

We had Jason on good wages last year and it largely paid off - Falkirk had Latapy and a couple of others earning SPL money. However Dunfermline comfortably has the biggest wage bill in the division and look where it's got them...

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Another mistake by Alan Main . Another defeat.

What are the Main apologists saying about it today.Who,s getting the blame this week.He,s gone from hero to zero this season and he is only going to get worse.Surely you guys can see it now.Main dropped now!!!! I don,t care if the Cat is not good enough. ( Which I don't believe).If we have to get another in then get it done Derek cos the fat lady has stopped singing ,got changed and pissed of home for the weekend....

Great keeper Alan Main.
Your talking shite , your all insane.....


There's only one Perth St.Johnstone

[Ronaldo]

How did we get beat there? Robbed!

[poang]

Another mistake by Alan Main . Another defeat.

What are the Main apologists saying about it today.Who,s getting the blame this week.He,s gone from hero to zero this season and he is only going to get worse.Surely you guys can see it now.Main dropped now!!!! I don,t care if the Cat is not good enough. ( Which I don't believe).If we have to get another in then get it done Derek cos the fat lady has stopped singing ,got changed and pissed of home for the weekend....

Great keeper Alan Main.
Your talking shite , your all insane.....


There's only one Perth St.Johnstone

out of interest, and not that it really matters, was it a proper mistake? like it slipped through his hands? or was it poor positioning again like last week against morton?

[Radford 72]

out of interest, and not that it really matters, was it a proper mistake? like it slipped through his hands? or was it poor positioning again like last week against morton?
Handling. Not a difficult shot to deal with, a daisy cutter that he let spill right through his hands and under his body. It was possibly the first time he touched the ball?

[SJC]

It's pretty well known that we pay relatively low wages, some reports even suggesting we have amongst the lowest wage budget in the division, which I don't really believe.

I imagine the players signed on longer term deals recieve a better wage, we've lost out on a few decent players before due to our wage structure, and we are missing out on players just now because of it as well.

[G]

Another mistake by Alan Main . Another defeat.

What are the Main apologists saying about it today.Who,s getting the blame this week.He,s gone from hero to zero this season and he is only going to get worse.Surely you guys can see it now.Main dropped now!!!! I don,t care if the Cat is not good enough. ( Which I don't believe).If we have to get another in then get it done Derek cos the fat lady has stopped singing ,got changed and pissed of home for the weekend....

Great keeper Alan Main.
Your talking shite , your all insane.....


There's only one Perth St.Johnstone

Why do you feel the need to post this in big blue letters all the time? Very annoying.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

out of interest, and not that it really matters, was it a proper mistake? like it slipped through his hands? or was it poor positioning again like last week against morton?

I am led to believe ( wasn't there today) he went down like the Berlin wall.

In stages!!!!!! Can any attendees confirm or deny this please...

[SJC]

Theres not enough Big Blue Letters in the world.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Why do you feel the need to post this in big blue letters all the time? Very annoying...Well I,m really sorry for you G.:?

I use the Big blue letters to signify that I,m shouting/singing..

I like to give the team my vocal support unlike some fans who sit there saying sod all then booing the team of the park.Sorry it bothers you but I will be continuing to use this style and maybe you can just ignore it or pretend it's little black letters:wink:

I wont do it this time as that would just be a piss take.

[Chuck Norris]

It's pretty well known that we pay relatively low wages, some reports even suggesting we have amongst the lowest wage budget in the division, which I don't really believe.

I imagine the players signed on longer term deals recieve a better wage, we've lost out on a few decent players before due to our wage structure, and we are missing out on players just now because of it as well.
Something being "pretty well known" doesn't make it accurate. Phil Gordon wrote in the Times last month that Saints had one of the lowest budgets in the division, but he's an ill-informed halfwit that can't do his work unless it involves Celtic.

Saints' wage budget is the same this year as it was last, and not too many people complained at that time. If anyone seriously thought we should out-spend Gretna to win the title, they need their head examined. I'm not at all sure that 'that extra few quid' on one more player would have stopped us dropping points in midweek at Dumfries or Partick which eventually cost us the championship.

[Nick]

The 4-3-3 isn't working!

We may have dominated the match but Hamilton were utter mince!

Same old rubbish. A hoof up the park from McManus, to no one, with their defenders winning every ball. IMO this is down to the formation. The defence have No options what so ever to pass to. All three of them stood static in the middle closely marked. We had no width to try and exploit them and create space.

Craig was rubbish. McCarthy and McCarthur won every first and second ball in midfield.

Im far to frustrated to go onto my normal rant after watching that.

2 players away from a near perfect side? hahahaha!

And dont get me started on McInnes's ability to change the tactics, or bring on substitutions to change the game. I think he's been watching Mr Coyle to often.

Peaso was the only player who played well.

[G]

..Well I,m really sorry for you G.:?

I use the Big blue letters to signify that I,m shouting/singing..

I like to give the team my vocal support unlike some fans who sit there saying sod all then booing the team of the park.Sorry it bothers you but I will be continuing to use this style and maybe you can just ignore it or pretend it's little black letters:wink:

I wont do it this time as that would just be a piss take.

Good man.

[Radford 72]

The 4-3-3 isn't working!

We may have dominated the match but Hamilton were utter mince!

Same old rubbish. A hoof up the park from McManus, to no one, with their defenders winning every ball. IMO this is down to the formation. The defence have No options what so ever to pass to. All three of them stood static in the middle closely marked. We had no width to try and exploit them and create space.

Craig was rubbish. McCarthy and McCarthur won every first and second ball in midfield.

Im far to frustrated to go onto my normal rant after watching that.

2 players away from a near perfect side? hahahaha!

And dont get me started on McInnes's ability to change the tactics, or bring on substitutions to change the game. I think he's been watching Mr Coyle to often.

Peaso was the only player who played well.
Hamilton defended superbly well. They were maybe poor going forward but they got an early goal - against the run of play - then simply didn't push forward. Like I said, when their two centre backs have played together, they've conceded just once this season, so we were always going to be up against it if we lost the first goal.

We stretched them all over the park in the first half but with no target man and a packed box, that avenue was always going to be blocked.

That was a million times better than at Firhill and if we play in the same manner over the rest of the season, we will win most of our games.

It was our third one goal defeat of the season, the margin for error is very fine and a with the right signings, not many will be needed to turn us into a good side again.

[SJC]

I wasn't just referring to the Times article.

Spending a few quid more would give us better options, ICT are one club who are doing alright out of it- they need to spend more to attract players to travel that far North.

They are in a much better position than us.

Our 'big signings' however, inevitably turn out crap. Michael Moore, and Willie McLaren have been signed for relatively big fees recently and both were unsuccessful.

It's not always about the money you pay for a player, but we have completely wasted a hell of an amount or garbage signings. Stewart and Daal for example, shouldn't be receiving a wage from this club as they are horrendous.

[HertsSaintee]

Depressing stuff today, and most of the gruesome detail of what went wrong has already been reported by other posters.

I haven't thought we've looked comfortable with the 4-3-3 since the first half hour of the cup final, and it proved the same again today. We just haven't got the mobility for this formation, and far too often Savo is left trying to get on the end of (another) punt from McManus with neither Jacko or Peaso within 25 yards of him. Having said that Peaso did pretty well today against that bloody hatchet man (not sour grapes just because the Judas b****** was on the winning side, I've always thought that), but most of the beating he had of him was in the air.

We played ok at the start, were unlucky to go in behind at half time, and I thought then that if we had gone 4-4-2 with Davie out wide to feed two runners through the middle, we had the beating of Accies. However, stagnant lack of action from the bench meant that by the time it was changed, the heads had gone down and we looked a beaten side - only troubling Halliwell once really in the 2nd half from the header which he managed to tip over.

Pretty inept, one dimensional stuff again by some players in the 2nd half, and it makes it all the harder to take as Accies were no great shakes really. What they do have is an energy and quickness coming forward that we just don't have.

Herts

[templeofsaints]

Temple reports up now. Pretty pissed off that nobody seemed to have learnt anything from last week.
Another Main error (or rather lack of agility these days) - get Cuthbert in now.

More pissing about in defence to encourage heart attacks amongst the away fans. If the tactic is to play the ball along the deck then the likes of McManus need their arses kicked until they do what they're told. Punts, like the drugs don't work.

A midfield that vanishes. Craig wasn't overly impressive and take away Rocco and it's like headless chickens out there.

A manager that can't recognise when a formation isn't working and has already fallen into the Coyle trap of changing things too late. Stop talking up Moon and Weatherston if they're going to be stuck on the bench for most of the game or play 2nd fiddle to a shite loan from Falkirk who has contributed hee-haw to our season.

At least last week there were some signs of fight - the second-half today was nothing more than surrender of our ambitions for the season. And that is not acceptable.

[Oldmuirton]

I actually thought we looked quite good in the first half , playing some neat football but without looking too dangerous. Definitely dominated though.

Second half we started chasing the game and reverted to the high punt up the middle which played into Accies hands.

Yet again- season over before Christmas. Its really getting depressing

[mainstand]

Handling. Not a difficult shot to deal with, a daisy cutter that he let spill right through his hands and under his body. It was possibly the first time he touched the ball?


Radfor I thought he was so slow in going down taht he never even got his hands on the ball, was half way down as the ball went under him. Maybe there was a deflection or something but to me just looked poor.

As for Hamilton I am not convinced that they are any better than us. But credit where credit is due they are grinding out results.

[dunblanemike]

for what it is worth I agree with Radford and for the first time have to totally disagree with the mighty ToS - you need some happy pills Richard!

[templeofsaints]

for what it is worth I agree with Radford and for the first time have to totally disagree with the mighty ToS - you need some happy pills Richard!

Personally I'd take 3 points next week instead - just can't see where it's going to come from given we have a side that is struggling to string 2 passes along the deck together and are more than likely going to resort to route one, playing some of the most unattractive boring football without even scraping the win.

Folk can say that we dominate possession / look good in spells etc - the plain fact is we've won 4 league games all season, are continually chasing the game most weeks and look a pale shadow of the team from last year in a division which I'd argue isn't as good as last season (Pars are poorer than Gretna and Stirling are IMHO not as strong a side as County were).

[541ntees]

I've noticed that theirs been a total over reaction on this thread about our team and the way it's run. and it seems to be those who weren't at the game doing all the over reacting.

Those who think we should over spend and go into admin. should go support the scum cos i'm proud of the way our club is run knowing that i'll always have my beloved saints to support and so will my kids-not many other supporters can say that.

And yeah Geoff was right we aren't that far from being the finished article-a couple of quality additions in Jan will turn these draws into wins. No team has outplayed us in this league.

Im always an optimist when it comes to saints but today i brought myself to admit the league is over. and i know how frustrating it can be when you can't make the game, sitting watching th e screen for goal to appear next to st johnstone. With Michelle Mc singing today i think that's why every1 is so annoyed and over reacting. Tho if DMc waits til the last 10mins again then i'll be joining you lot
p.s keep up the girls aloud pics

[templeofsaints]

I don't think it's so much the league being over - I can handle losing if the team put up a fight but in the second half today we were simply woeful.

One shot on goal (albeit it brought out a good save from the timewaster) in the 2nd period was good, but far too much time is spent backtracking or being almost caught on the ball (Stanic and McManus were guilty of both). We should have been taking the game to Accies in an attempt to get back into it but IMHO we just gave up. No fight, precious little leadership on the park and bugger all self-respect amongst the players.

[mainstand]

I don't think it's so much the league being over - I can handle losing if the team put up a fight but in the second half today we were simply woeful.

One shot on goal (albeit it brought out a good save from the timewaster) in the 2nd period was good, but far too much time is spent backtracking or being almost caught on the ball (Stanic and McManus were guilty of both). We should have been taking the game to Accies in an attempt to get back into it but IMHO we just gave up. No fight, precious little leadership on the park and bugger all self-respect amongst the players.

I hope they keep sharp objects away from you!

I think you are being far too critical and were watching a different game from me.

[TheBigCheese]

I thought that was absolute garbage today. The midfield was almost non-existant and tripping over each other in the middle of the park they were so narrow. Quinn was good tackling back but barely touched the ball otherwise and his corners were rank rotten, Sheerin was ineffective for most of the game, I liked the look of Craig but like Quinn he struggle to get the ball in good areas. The biggest problem was the total lack of width and the associated lack of good service to the front two. Down the right we were especially lacking, every time Irvine got in a good position with the ball he was either forced to cross from too deep or lost the ball because he had no support - was Quinn meant to be playing wide right? I thought Peaso had a decent first half mostly due to Mensing being poor (the ref totally bottled sending him off) but got no luck in the second. Up front I thought Jacko and Savo both worked hard but neither really got a sniff because the service they got was so poor. As much as I like Main I think it's time to drop him, the defending for the goal was poor but he should have got down much quicker whether it took a deflection or not.

Hamilton aren't any great shakes as a team but the difference between them and us is that they work much harder. They chased down every ball today and because of that they got most of the second balls which really limited Saints, especially in the second half. Overall very poor stuff and some significant change is needed for next week. I'd go:

Cuthbert
Irvine McManus Anderson Stanic
Wetherston Quinn Craig McLaren
Milne McDonald

We can forget about the league now but we need to start winning to stave off relegation.

[AJC]

People are wee bit over the top with the critisim. In the first half we played some good football though to be fair we didn't create much. We deserved at least a point only some shody keeping denied us that. For me plenty of positives, with some negatives Stanic for me has been the worst player this season he was woeful again. But i agree with DM we are one or two players off a not bad team.

People are way too critical, and to be honest some need a reality check in my opinion which could be easily wrong.

[TheBigCheese]

People are wee bit over the top with the critisim. In the first half we played some good football though to be fair we didn't create much. We deserved at least a point only some shody keeping denied us that. For me plenty of positives, with some negatives Stanic for me has been the worst player this season he was woeful again. But i agree with DM we are one or two players off a not bad team.

People are way too critical, and to be honest some need a reality check in my opinion which could be easily wrong.

We had one decent shot at goal the entire game and other than that had maybe two or three other half-chances. Hamilton could have had three or four in the second half with a bit of luck. We played some half-decent football miles away from their goal but what does that matter if you don't create anything from it? Credit to McInnes for trying out something different with the formation and credit to him for going for it at the end but to me the team look lost playing 4-3-3 and far too often when players get in good positions (especially out wide) they have no support because no-one knows who should be out there providing it. I'd be interested by what the positives you saw were.

[AJC]

Spot on we didn't create much. But it takes alot longer for a team to master a new formation and a new style of play. Some of the stuff played today was better than we have seen all season. Given time it will come good, they will create more chances and we have players that can put it in the net. I am not saying that everything is perfect i am merely trying to be positive trying to support the team. We looked vurnerable when they attacked soem of it down to we didn't have a man on McArthy who pulled the strings for them today. First half we put ourselves about, with showing determination. The team as i said before will take a few games to master a new system and style of play, but i can see us if we bring in a couple of new faces have a good run in. Maybe only finishing third but being positive for the season after.

[ancientsaint]

Spot on we didn't create much. But it takes alot longer for a team to master a new formation and a new style of play. Some of the stuff played today was better than we have seen all season. Given time it will come good, they will create more chances and we have players that can put it in the net. I am not saying that everything is perfect i am merely trying to be positive trying to support the team. We looked vurnerable when they attacked soem of it down to we didn't have a man on McArthy who pulled the strings for them today. First half we put ourselves about, with showing determination. The team as i said before will take a few games to master a new system and style of play, but i can see us if we bring in a couple of new faces have a good run in. Maybe only finishing third but being positive for the season after.


Congratulations to the UDDINGSTON pipe band who played better than both teams and kept their composure and formation in what must have been a difficult fixture for them on the synthetic surface.

As for Saints....airborne balls are no use to small strikers.....our left hand pairing of STANIC and SHEERIN were very poor and the goal came from a square ball that could have been cut out by 2 defenders....Main was out of his area AGAIN...1-0........MENSING should have been sent off........Halliwell must think he was auditioning for a GERMAN U boat....dive dive dive......Home support very very poor for a team at top of the league....pies were mingin.

Other than that- well !!

[garydavidson]

We won't win the league but honestly, some folk on here need to get a grip.


well said

[7-2]

The fat lady is close to having laryngitis due to the number of weeks shes been singing.

It just looks like more people have taken their earplugs out and can now hear her.

[scotpages]

We can forget about the league now but we need to start winning to stave off relegation.

I'm glad someone's noticed!

Six league games without a win, just beating our start of the season record of 5.

A lot of our problems stem from making very poor starts - I think we're bottom of the league on first-half performances.
In the first and last 15 minutes of the first half we've lost too many goals, leaving us chasing games. There is a lack of ability to get a grip on a game until things have already gone pear-shaped.

I hope DM has come to the conclusion that he's not just got a tweak or two to do, and that really the task in hand is massive.

I've lost count of the times Saints managers have lamented our number of draws. Well, if you fart around and give folk a goal or two of a start then what do you expect?

[Saintkev]

I must have been watching a different game for most of you on here.

We dominated the first half but lost a poor goal due to another error from Main. That apart, we knocked the ball around well and pushed lots of men forward. They defended well - Elebert and McLaughlin have only conceded one goal all season - but we were very unlucky to be behind at the break.

In the second half, Hamilton sat on what they had and were difficult to break down. Sometimes you just have to credit the opposition. Best chance of the half was when Halliwell tipped over a header from either Peaso or Jacko.

We didn't panic at any point though and kept trying to play football, with the 4-3-3 formation working well after failing at Hamilton.

We won't win the league but honestly, some folk on here need to get a grip.

Here here or hear hear... except we will win the league!!:wink:

[Barca-Saintee]

I would like to see somebody other than mcmanus at centre-back, to often he plays a long ball to the opposite corner that never works.
the only problem is who will replace him? rutkiewicz is suspended and james is still injured
I also want an actual right-winger to start occasionally (weatherston) and a good left winger brought in at the transfer window