Saints vs. Livingston 22/12/07

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Any thoughts on whats going to happen this weekend.I must admit I,m feeling pretty lathargic about the game which is most unusual cos by the Thursday before a game I,m getting right in the mood. Well it aint happening this week.Thank god I,ve got a season ticket which means due to me being a tight bastard I,ll definatley be there.I really cannae be bothered though.

Right lets give it a go. Main has to drop down to the bench for no reason other than his form is crap and we have another keeper who deserves a game cos thats supposed to be how it works..You play crap you get droppped if there is cover for you position.

Will Rusty return, if he does will he be any better than his last two games??God I hope so....Will Samuel get a game as a trialist???Is he still even there ??? Will we go 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 or 4-3-3..Come on guys cheer me up, for feck sake give me hope.It can only get better........ can't it????????

[MUZZ]

crap crowd, no atmosphere, more than likely a draw.

can't wait

[Scobby_SJFC]

crap crowd, no atmosphere, more than likely a draw.

can't wait

Is that any different to most Saints games?

[Calypso Kid]

Is that any different to most Saints games?

I'm struggling to argue with that.

[ancientsaint]

Got season ticket too....and it beats xmas shopping....doesnt it !!!

[Steve Maskrey]

Saints will win 5-0 with John Stewart scoring a hat-trick! :wink:

[Calypso Kid]

Got season ticket too....and it beats xmas shopping....doesnt it !!!

Tell me that at quarter to 5.

[Perth-Saint]

Saints will win 5-0 with John Stewart scoring a hat-trick! :wink:

and Dyron Daal the other two:shock:

[Calypso Kid]

Noticed on the official page at the foot of the James saga that unfortunately John Stewart is a doubt after the bug got him. What is this new medical phenomenon? "Dufferitis"?

[slf]

i hate meadowbank and what happened to they student twats.livi you aint got no history . you stole meadowwank and you are even more rank.kick the turd with the big drum right up his bum.

[MUZZ]

that kachoul was a good player ***

[Broon]

My brother in law is coming to this game. The last (and only) Saints game he attended was our last defeat at home against Livi when the cat was (wrongly) sent off. :? Hopefully not a sign!

[pavel]

crap crowd, no atmosphere, more than likely a draw.

can't wait

Spot on.

[TheBigCheese]

Drop Main, Sheerin and Jackson. Bring in Cuthbert, Weatherston and McLaren. Go 4-4-2 with Peaso and Milne up front and have a decent go at them.

[Morientes]

1 of 2 things will happen.

1) We’ll win 3-0, Hamilton will lose and we’ll start talking about how we have a chance of winning the league again.

2) It’ll be a crap draw.


I’m going for option 2.

[Scott Mc]

Some good comments so far.
I am about as apathetic as I have ever been regards the team. But I guess as someone already said as I have the season ticket then I will bloody well get my moneys worth, whether I get value for money remains to be seen. Livi are a bit of a bogey for us but I am hoping that even the players can see that there is something terribly wrong and come out with a bit of fighting spirit. Past few games they have looked like they dont actually like each other never mind train together on a daily basis.
I am in agreement with Big Cheese regards team and formation and can only hope that deek has the balls to make the necessary changes. Main must be dropped and we really need to start utilising Weatherston he was the top scorer in his league last year and his pace puts a lot of the plodders we have to shame, McLaren in his natural position and see if he can come up with the goods.
At this point I really dont care whether we win or lose but I do care that we actually try and play a structured game of football and show some bloody interest in playing for SJFC!

[Radford 72]

I'm not sure if the PA runs the story today but some of the other media sources have Cuthbert saying he wants away in January and that he expects Main to still be in goal tomorrow.

So many other questions regarding team selection, although McInnes has (quite rightly) said he was happy with a lot of aspects of our play last week, especially the way we kept the ball and used the full width of the park. I think if we play like we did last week, we'll win tomorrow. Decisions for him to make though are obviously about the formation and also whether he recalls his captain, which would probably mean a 3-5-2 as neither McManus or Anderson will (or should) be dropped.

Livi use Snodgrass and Dorrans in the wide areas so there should be an opportunity for us to have a real go at them and the game could suit David Weatherston who could have a real go one-on-one at their full back.

I can see where a lot of folk are coming from regards the apathy but it's exciting going to the game not knowing what to expect in terms of personnel.

Like I said though, if our general play is as good as last week and we don't gift goals away then we have a good chance. Since McInnes came in, at least three of the five goals conceded have been preventable and have been down to individual errors.

[Morientes]

Don't know what the media source you've read is Radford is but I know Kev is quite rightly annoyed at not getting a chance in goal and always being on the relegated back to bacup keeper.

He will have looked into the possibility of moving elsewhere but I think the main problem in him moving is finding another club that is interested in taking on the St Johnstone backup keeper as their first choice keeper (on full time wages).

[blueheaven]

I'm not sure if the PA runs the story today but some of the other media sources have Cuthbert saying he wants away in January and that he expects Main to still be in goal tomorrow.

Are there actual quotes from Cuthbert, or are these sources just repeating rumours?

[Radford 72]

Are there actual quotes from Cuthbert, or are these sources just repeating rumours?
Quotes from the player himself saying he expects Alan to be in goal and he's not happy being second choice, so if the offer to play first team football comes up, he'd have to consider it. I can't remember where I read it unfortunately.

[a monkey]

says so in here

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football-news/scottish-football/scottish-football-league/2007/12/21/st-johnstone-in-second-bid-to-grab-grady-86908-20261897/

[pavel]

We need a new keeper with Main as back up.

[Morientes]

says so in here

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football-news/scottish-football/scottish-football-league/2007/12/21/st-johnstone-in-second-bid-to-grab-grady-86908-20261897/

I think the problem is he'd struggle to find a better club up here that he'll be able to walk in as first choice for.

It would probably mean dropping to League 2 in England or something like that.

Add to the fact he's a Perth lad married to a Perth girl (who's expecting).
With all of their family ties up here it would be easy just to accept being 2nd choice and signing an extension.

I know it's been posted somewhere on here before but I can't remember where and can't be bothered looking.....is it his last year of contract just this season?

Will be interesting to see if he's offered a new deal.

[SJC]

That Grady report is very disturbing indeed, as if Cuthberts desire to move.

Can't bloody well blame him though watching Main make a prat of himself week in week out.

[St Mikey]

A bore bloomin' draw again.

It will be freezing with a wee bit o snow so wrap up!! :D

1-1, we take the lead and throw it away as usual.

If we win, I promise to get completely plastered at night :D

[SJC]

I think we will win this one.

It'll be baltic though.

Going to enjoy a few sherberts in Perth after the match.

[monkfish]

Everything in that article's bad. Grady is useless and a wank, we've got enough wee stirkers already. It'd be a shame if Cuthbert went, and we shouldn't be giving Stanic an extension even if he wants it. I'm as big a fan as the next man, but after this season he's definately done playing at this level. Can't afford to be giving out sympathy contracts.

[Broon]

If Grady signs I will boo his every touch until he leaves. I doubt it would happen.

Reckon we will win, we are due a good one.

[SJC]

Stanic has to go, he's past it now.

Great player over the last few seasons but he's clearly struggling now.

[Scobby_SJFC]

Should I drive up for this one??

am tempted

[saintbear]

Any thoughts on whats going to happen this weekend.I must admit I,m feeling pretty lathargic about the game which is most unusual cos by the Thursday before a game I,m getting right in the mood. Well it aint happening this week.Thank god I,ve got a season ticket which means due to me being a tight bastard I,ll definatley be there.I really cannae be bothered though.

Right lets give it a go. Main has to drop down to the bench for no reason other than his form is crap and we have another keeper who deserves a game cos thats supposed to be how it works..You play crap you get droppped if there is cover for you position.

Will Rusty return, if he does will he be any better than his last two games??God I hope so....Will Samuel get a game as a trialist???Is he still even there ??? Will we go 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 or 4-3-3..Come on guys cheer me up, for feck sake give me hope.It can only get better........ can't it????????
Call me bitter but i absoulutly f'#@#-=/n hate MEADOWBANK

[Dave H]

2-0 Saints been speaking to some Dundee fans and they are saying we are due in a win, so simply on that basis we will win 2-0 :)

[slf]

its a bit slidy oot there is it still on.

[dan the saint]

Main / Cuthbert


Irvine - Anderson - McManus - Stanic

Weatherston - McInnes (c) - Quinn - Sheerin

Milne - Jackson

SUBS

Main / Cuthbert
Lawrie
Rutkiewicz
McDonald
Daal

3-1 win Milne with 2 and Sheerin with 1 ( pk or fk)

[Nairn Saint]

No real surprises in the line up with Main in goal and Craig starting.

[poang]

Christ sake

1-0 down already

[Moray Blue]

1-1 Jacko

[Moray Blue]

2-1 Liam Craig :)

[a monkey]

get in

liam craig! 2-1

[Moray Blue]

Quinn 3-1 :)

Who says theres no Santa Claus?

[poang]

Yus! 3-1!

[Moray Blue]

Game over. 4-1 Jacko :)

[Moray Blue]

5 Saintees goals......... Peaso

[St. Paddy]

all together, "we want six, we want six"

[Moray Blue]

5-2, and FT

[7-2]

A great win going by the score but did we really need to take the p1ss...bringing Daal on, I ask you.:D

[Coltrane]

Great result!! Well done Saints!

[Nairn Saint]

We are the best team .....in Perth! :***:

[lampshade]

great result lads, hope wee can string a few wins together now.

[Dev]

Delighted with that today. We seemed to be able to get in behind their defence almost at will. I was fearing the worst early on when Livi took the lead but we were so completely in control by half-time that I was confident we would go on to win comfortably.

[SJC]

A very important win.

Great performance by Milne, Stanic played much better today as well, although this has nothing to do with him wanting a new contract.

We even managed to see a Dyron Daal cameo, missed a 1 on 1, went hairing after the ball, and went flying in at knee height trying to close the ball down.

Great day.

[SJFC1988,]

Great performance form milne jackson and quinn also sheerin too:)

[pezza70]

Great win for the gaffer and hopefully this important two week period will see us take maximum points and gain some momentum

[Perth-Saint]

A great 5-2 win - that is what happens when you pass the ball on the ground:)

[7-2]

We even managed to see a Dyron Daal cameo, missed a 1 on 1, went hairing after the ball, and went flying in at knee height trying to close the ball down.
What if it had been 0-0 at the time???:wink:

[Dunfermline Saint]

Good game, especially with the running commentary from Kevin James and Martin Hardie behind me!

Mentions to the Livi fans singing "We want 6" and the slightly intoxicated man who, when Jacko was subbed saw the "9" come up and shouted "Where do you get 9 mins injury time from!?!?"

[Ali91]

great performance today. really good game aswell.

[Steve Maskrey]

the slightly intoxicated man who, when Jacko was subbed saw the "9" come up and shouted "Where do you get 9 mins injury time from!?!?"

Genius!! :***: :***: :***:

Great performance and great to get some goals! A Daal goal at the end would've finished the day off nicely :)

[101 Saint]

Very enjoyable today. Their opener was disgusting; no marking, no organisation. If McManus is captain he must take more responsibility or give the captaincy to Ando. That said, we didn't panic, kept the ball below knee height and "played" ourselves into the lead. After that, no complaints.

The victory today was all the better for the fight and effort of Livi. I could have understood them dropping their heads at 4-1, especially with the way we attacked them but credit to them they fought hard and fair.

Couple of talking points; Rocco ran to the dugout when he scored - surely it's not his last goal for us? Who was TD speaking to on his mobile? Should Jacko have been left on to try and get a hat-trick? How selfless was Savo - passing twice when one on one? Credit to the ref for letting the foul go (in front of the dugout), playing advantage and then booking the centre-half.

On a personal level; hats of to Peaso. When Sandy Stewart played him on the left of a front three I was really unimpressed as I was convinced he didn't have the skill or effort to play in that position, today he was immense; quick footed, hard working, determined and crabbit in a manner which never saw him in any danger of being booked. Sorry, Peter.

[William Hill]

Just back from the game, thought we were great today, back on track!!

Milne MOTM and Stanic also played well today i thought.

Mon SAIIINNNTS

[HertsSaintee]

After recent results, that was a very satisfying result with a great attacking performance to match - probably played some of our best attacking stuff this season today bar the cup final. Savo has such a brilliant ability to make central defenders s*** themselves with his swashbuckling style, and it really is fantastic to have him back. He is so unselfish too - I'd imagine if Peaso or Jacko had been on the ball for the build up to a couple of our goals they'd perhaps have tried to go themselves. Brilliant to see Wizard and Goran have good games too after some of the criticism that they've had recently. Sheerin was his majestic best today - the vision for some of his passes was incredible, as the guy behind me commented "If Lampard or Gerrard had played that pass, they'd be going on about it for weeks". He was making a lot of good holding tackles too. I've been a critic of Jacko's recently, just thinking him too lightweight, but his brace speaks for itself - well played young man.

All in all, if we don't make any headway on the leaders this season, hopefully if Del can encourage the players to put in shifts like this every week, we will be going in the right direction.

Herts

[HertsSaintee]

The victory today was all the better for the fight and effort of Livi. I could have understood them dropping their heads at 4-1, especially with the way we attacked them but credit to them they fought hard and fair.


Agreed. They went with the 3 at the back even at 5-1, and still tried to come forward when they could.

Herts

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Well thats restored my faith a little.We looked great going forward and there was a fighting spirit throughout the team.I thought the formation worked superbly and Savo and Peaso we top men.On the down side. We still need to learn how to defend and as good as we were Livi were honking.But hey it,s Christmas, roll on Wednesday.

Oh! and was that the coldest it,s ever been at a game. I was so cold I thought about setting fire to my feet:idea:

[templeofsaints]

Definitely a complete turnaround from last week - still a couple of issues (1st goal was a bad one to lose and Main still can't kick out :)), but the play from the midfield and front men was oustanding with everyone working for each other and closing down their markers.

I thought Craig looked really good today - picked up a strange booking but took his goal/sclaff well and some of his close play was good. Sheerin had his best game for a while and Savo and Peaso looked as good as ever.

Jacko proved he doesn't need Deuchar to create and put away chances and as for Rocco, we have to get him signed up now. He could be the difference between mid-table mediocrity and a chance.

Oh aye and as for Daal - I think he had more touches and shots in 5 minutes than Stewart has had in 3 months? 'Mon the Dyron :)

[dan the saint]

Oh aye and as for Daal - I think he had more touches and shots in 5 minutes than Stewart has had in 3 months? 'Mon the Dyron :)


:) good 2 see him get a game 2 day.

[Cagey]

Can`t add too much to what ToS says.

Great result & well played after going one down Savo was great & Jacko worked his socks off scoring 2 & setting up another.Peaso gave the right back the runaround & and some on here were wanting us to sign him.

Sheerin had his best game this season & his vision is great. Rocco looked class & after shaky first 10 mins Craig showed up well.

No failures today but their first goal was a shocker.

Not sure if Livi were piss poor or we were good.

[pavel]

Livis defence was shambolic, made ours look good!
Still, a great performance by many and the perfect way to start the festive fixtures.
4-3-3 worked a treat with Sheerin central as opposed to Craig in the centre last week.
Peaso was doing some amount of damage on the left.
Dyron looked out to prove a point. A few more appearances from the bench and you never know...

[dave mc]

Really good performance today,against a team that at least came to attack-think this always suits Saints,rather than teams sitting in.Seemed to be more energy and movement for each other and a willingness to work really hard for the team.Pleased for Del,that he seems to be getting performances out the players,great attacking play,everytime we had the ball,has the change of manager coincided with more attack minded tactics,played mostly on the deck??

[slf]

magic think i even buy a sunday paper .oh and by the way scottish cup lugs allan moore was at the game.hope he enjoyed it i did.get it right up ye yer still meadowbank.

[saint5588]

Really good performance today even though livi werent good at the back. How much of our good passing and the goals, was because livi did come to perth today to win the game and try and play football? too many teams play saints looking for a draw and sit back and defend and are happy when they come away with 1 point and even happier if they can get a goal from a corner or a freekick.

Still glad to see there is a team there who can play good football and i actually enjoyed watching today!

[ancientsaint]

Soooooooooooperb........Yes it beat shopping !!

Soon as i saw Dyron appear...i thought -oh no....but then with his first touch he NEARLY scored........Milne was brilliant - as was Quinn...Liam Craig played well....defence went to sleep twice tho.....As for the REF why does he see small infringements as bookings and serious infringments as "go away ".

Lets hope this is the beginning of a run now.

[Ronaldo]

"GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!

The best word in football, great when you can shout it a few times.

Derek stick to 4-3-3, very uplifting if done right. keep working at it. Jackson looks the part. Merry Christmas!

[saintdavy]

What a difference from the last few miserable weeks, Saints got in front in a game and the confidence just grew. Agree that Livi`s have a go atitude helped us and also agree that their defence was shocking but we played the game at a good pace throughout. Can`t even remember more than a couple of high balls out of defence.
The 3 forwards all played well with Milne superb and the midfield were far more involved today supporting the forwards and looking to pick the ball up from defence.
Must try and keep Rocco he was class throughout.

[TheBigCheese]

Great stuff yesterday, should have been more goals though. No complaints about anyone in the team with partucular credit due to Sheerin, Craig (although he needs to keep te head a bit), Stanic, Jacko, Peaso and Savo.

I still think the formation is flawed in that there's not enough support for the full backs when they get forward (or enough tracking back from the front two to let the full backs get to the byline) but I saw enough yesterday to suggest that with a bit of work this could work very well indeed.

My favourite bit of the whole game was the folk behind me who were singing "We are shit" at 1-0 Livi who were "Saintees til they die" by full time. Fickle much?

Just a side point, if you know the guy who was sitting a few rows behind me (yellow seats) who spent the whole game moaning about/booing Alan Main can you punch him hard in the face. Thank you.

[mainstand]

Derek stick to 4-3-3, very uplifting if done right. keep working at it. Jackson looks the part. Merry Christmas!

I agree and the way they are working the 4-3-3 really means taht as soon as we lose posession it drops into a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 which gives the opposition defence a real problem, as they have no idea who they should be picking up.

[Calypso Kid]

Great stuff yesterday, should have been more goals though. No complaints about anyone in the team with partucular credit due to Sheerin, Craig (although he needs to keep te head a bit), Stanic, Jacko, Peaso and Savo.

I still think the formation is flawed in that there's not enough support for the full backs when they get forward (or enough tracking back from the front two to let the full backs get to the byline) but I saw enough yesterday to suggest that with a bit of work this could work very well indeed.

My favourite bit of the whole game was the folk behind me who were singing "We are shit" at 1-0 Livi who were "Saintees til they die" by full time. Fickle much?

Just a side point, if you know the guy who was sitting a few rows behind me (yellow seats) who spent the whole game moaning about/booing Alan Main can you punch him hard in the face. Thank you.

He was getting on my tits too. He has had a vendetta for a few weeks now.

The kids singing "we are shite and we know we are" were doing it tongue in cheek.

He actually Booo'd for about 5 mins solid even pre-empting Main coming out towards our end!

[Hazel1884]

Credit where it is due on yesterday's performance - some seriously good movement and some seriously good finishing!

Nothing much to add to what's been said - hopefully that performance will encourage a few more for the day out on Boxing Day down at Stirling!

Well done.:mrgreen:

[Scobby_SJFC]

Not too bad at all yesterday, if we were playing a decent team then we would have been in trouble at the back, looks a bit dodgy at times

Livy's number 7 was really good I thought, is that Dorrans??
And Daal what a 3 minutes that was, good to see him trying hard to get back in the team!!

[blueheaven]

I think this result, while not making much difference to our season as a whole, will take a lot of pressure off Derek McInnes. Good news!

[templeofsaints]

I think this result, while not making much difference to our season as a whole, will take a lot of pressure off Derek McInnes. Good news!

I agree - however, at the same time it sets a standard of performance that if we don't come close to living up to against Stirling and Clyde may work against McInnes.

[MUZZ]

this 433 formation is good crack. i'd happily watch games like yesterday even if it means conceding a few goals along the way. the way we were attacking them in the 2nd half was brilliant to watch. we were never like that much under coyles 442

[Broggy Man]

Its good to see Saints adopt a more open attacking type of game. it all falls to bits though if they cant finish but saying that i would much rather be entertained like that on a saturday