#02 - 02/08/08 - Livingston (h)

[O'Rourke]

Hard to believe, but the league season STARTS this weekend. Given some of the doom and gloom on other threads you'd be forgiven for thinking our season is already over!

Whatever happens over the next few days someone will be in the left-back slot on Saturday...

Early predictions?

Will we get off to a flyer?
Or will we be dire?

2:0 Home win

[Southpaw]

The fact that it's taken til Wednesday night to start the thread shows what the mood is.

There seems to be a real depression lurking around us just now, and I hope that's not transferred onto the pitch on Saturday.
Team for me would be

McLean
Irvine, McCaff, Ruti, Newman
Swankie, Hardie, Millar, Craig,
Jackson, Holmes

If there's no Newman, then Craig moved back and Sheerin in at LM

Best of luck to the boys on Saturday and for the season ahead.

[MUZZ]

The fact that it's taken til Wednesday night to start the thread shows what the mood is.

There seems to be a real depression lurking around us just now, and I hope that's not transferred onto the pitch on Saturday.



well i'm quite the opposite. my plan of avoiding all pre season games + ross county is looking a good choice as i am absolutely buzzing for saturday. i reckon it will be a good game, few goals and hopefully a good start to the league campaign for us.

i would go 4-3-3. i expect livi to be a much better team than last season as well.

[Southpaw]

well i'm quite the opposite. my plan of avoiding all pre season games + ross county is looking a good choice as i am absolutely buzzing for saturday. i reckon it will be a good game, few goals and hopefully a good start to the league campaign for us.


To be honest Muzz, I'm the same. I'm optimistic about the season ahead. The general mood within the support is not so positive.....

[scotty gordon]

Southpaw i also agree i think we will come good on saturday and that iz a good team u have predicted and i hope del iz reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StDuncM]

I had a dream last night and in it Main made a fantastic one armed save defying his years and injury. His arm in a sling he played at left back, scored the 5th goal from a header in the last minute to win 5-4!

Honest guv!

[O'Rourke]

I had a dream last night and in it Main made a fantastic one armed save defying his years and injury. His arm in a sling he played at left back, scored the 5th goal from a header in the last minute to win 5-4!

Honest guv!

You're one of the more sober posters on here Dunc (normally). :D

[MUZZ]

I had a dream last night and in it Main made a fantastic one armed save defying his years and injury. His arm in a sling he played at left back, scored the 5th goal from a header in the last minute to win 5-4!

Honest guv!

thats the way football should be.

[mainstand]

If there's no Newman, then Craig moved back and Sheerin in at LM

Best of luck to the boys on Saturday and for the season ahead.

Can Arthur Newman play left back! :-)

[O'Rourke]

Can Arthur Newman play left back! :-)

:laugh:

Ach he'll be off to Clyde anyway!

[StDuncM]

Can Arthur Newman play left back! :-)

Artur Numan or Arthur Newman, I would rather have the former!:x

[templeofsaints]

Right now I'll take a scrappy 1-0 win if it means the defence (whoever is playing) and McLean managed to put the shutters up. That would do more for the faith and confidence than a 3-2 etc.

[mainstand]

Artur Numan or Arthur Newman, I would rather have the former!:x

Smart ass

[Shaggy Jenkins]

Not sure we will win this one think 0-2.

Could be a shout to go 3-5-2 without a left back or I would play sheerin there

[StDuncM]

Smart ass

Thanks mate!

[dc]

I really don't agree with the need for all the doom and gloom before the league's even kicked off. Obviously there hasn't been a long list of victories in pre-season, but the club specifically chose some harder matches to give a better test. Last week was a disappointment but we rarely do well up there, perhaps went in a little complacent, and the fact we were outplayed and lost will hopefully give the team the necessary kick up the arse to ensure this doesn't happen again on Saturday.

We have the best group of players in the division, arguably the strongest since we were relegated, with real competition in every position bar left back. McLean hasn't been convincing but Main will probably only miss the first league game, meaning we're only 1 player short of having everything in place.

That's a far better situation than Dundee are in, having lost a number of good players and seemingly have an inferior squad to last season. Add to that a defeat to Alloa in the cup, a lengthy injury list and a trip up to Dingwall themselves on the opening day, our biggest challengers aren't exactly in the best shape. Dunfermline only have 2 strikers on their books, 1 is the manager and he's injured, so just be thankful we're not them :)

Anyway I'm really very confident about this season, I expect a win on Saturday, and this is the team who'll do it:

McLean
Irvine Ruti McCaffrey Loanee
Swankie Hardie Millar Craig
Jackson McDonald

Bench: Main, Samuel, Sheerin, Holmes, James

Also I hope the constant criticism of Samuel from a few up at Dingwall from almost the minute he came on isn't going to be a trend this season. It's extremely tedious, and entirely unfair on someone who hadn't played a competitive game since the end of March. I thought he showed quite a bit of promise for someone who isn't yet fully fit, was being played out of position and scored a good goal.

End of essay :)

[garydavidson]

im sick of us being good on paper its about time to do it on the park and from the start. saturday had such a drab feeling of pre season and no passion was shown apart from players shouting at mclean and knocking his confidence further.

I am not sure how this will go livi have been training three times a day and have small fast players. think this year lee griffiths (yes the gimp with the hair and boots) will rip through or defence and I can see him scoring another two this weekend. they have a solid back line with a keeper who can function as a keeper unlike their last effort.

from what i saw on saturday for us a lot of things needed fixing but i do think del was playing people in positions just for a try out.

I expect us to show a lot more dig and resilience. Give us something real to be positive about, seeing saints as league favourites still scares me.

[Scobby_SJFC]

Lets hope Craig plays in his rightful position!! if no left back is found play sheerin there!!

[Radford 72]

Dear God, this thread is depressing! We are short in one position and that's it. Look at our midfield compared to theirs, it isn't a contest! Griffiths will rip us apart? Just like he did last season I suppose? Their super defence contained Mackay and McPake last season and we still knocked 14 goals past them. Is Chris Innes going to stop a stronger Saints attack doing likewise?

It's only natural to be concerned at some of performances so far but they mean very little come 3:00pm on Saturday when the real stuff starts and I can't believe how many folk have us beaten already!

We are a different side at home and showed against Burnley the threat we can carry going forward. The difference is Livingston don't have a £1,000,000 striker to score or create goals like they did.

In saying all that, I just wish I believed McInnes has strongest side nailed. We are defintely closer than we were a fortnight ago but it's hard to pick the two strikers in particular. With Morris' enforced absence, I think it will Swankie, Hardie, Millar and Craig in midfield with Sheerin at left back if need be. All the strikers have a claim to start so fingers crossed Del makes the right choice. At the moment I'd maybe go with Peaso and Jacko but yesterday I'd probably have said Samuel and Holmes!

[O'Rourke]

McLean
Irvine Ruti McCaffrey Loanee
Swankie Hardie Millar Craig
Jackson McDonald



Oooooo a continental left back! :laugh:

At least it isn't Looney.

[garydavidson]

Dear God, this thread is depressing! We are short in one position and that's it. Look at our midfield compared to theirs, it isn't a contest! Griffiths will rip us apart? Just like he did last season I suppose? Their super defence contained Mackay and McPake last season and we still knocked 14 goals past them. Is Chris Innes going to stop a stronger Saints attack doing likewise?

The way Griffiths was stopped last season was with our solid back line which looks extremly easy to break down from what I saw on saturday and county never had much going on for them up front. Surly you can not forget some of the goal keepers livi had last season? that contributed to a lot of the goals we scored. So since they have sorted that issue with a guy who can come off his line its not going to be as easy for us this season as last.

I hope you are right and our previous performances mean nothing. I am not going to be sitting in the stadium being negative though, that helps no one.

[thewhorule2002]

Im really confident about this match and the season. We have problems in defence but we still have good defenders - Irvine, rusty and caff are all at the very least as good as other defenders in the league. Lets be a bit more positive, we have great midfielders and forwards - so we are bound to score.

As for line up, id go

Mclean
Irvine Rusty Caff Sheerin/new LB
Miller Hardie Craig
Savo Jacko Swankie

Then swankie can drop back to make it a 4-4-2 if needed. We have options in holmes and samuel up front to make a difference if needed.

3-1 saints

[Noose76]

I'm looking forward to taking my seat for the 1st time as a season ticket holder, and calling the linesman a ****.

[Radford 72]

I'm looking forward to taking my seat for the 1st time as a season ticket holder, and calling the linesman a ****.
Noosy, you'll never guess who is running the line! You'll have a field day!

The way Griffiths was stopped last season was with our solid back line which looks extremly easy to break down from what I saw on saturday and county never had much going on for them up front. Surly you can not forget some of the goal keepers livi had last season? that contributed to a lot of the goals we scored. So since they have sorted that issue with a guy who can come off his line its not going to be as easy for us this season as last.

I hope you are right and our previous performances mean nothing. I am not going to be sitting in the stadium being negative though, that helps no one.
Was our backline that solid last season and did County break us down that much on Saturday? I think they had three shots on target. I'm also not sure how we know how good the new Livi 'keeper is? I do agree that their 'keepers last season were shocking though.

The pre-season can be looked on as positive as it's highlighted the weaknesses. Last season we scored plenty of goals in pre-season so went into the season with Daal and Stewart up front.

[Noose76]

Please tell me it's Morag?

Just checked it

St. Johnstone v Livingston
Iain Brines, John Bicknell, Morag Pirie

:D

[ryangordon86]

haha i wish i could make it but my other half has booked karting in Livingston for my birthday at 5pm, so i'll have to make do with Sky updates. I do expect my fellow Saintees to give Oor Morag a nice big man sized portion of abuse for me though!

[HertsSaintee]

Please tell me it's Morag?

Just checked it

St. Johnstone v Livingston
Iain Brines, John Bicknell, Morag Pirie

:D

Ach, Jeez... :evil:

[SingaporeSaint]

haha i wish i could make it but my other half has booked karting in Livingston for my birthday at 5pm, so i'll have to make do with Sky updates. I do expect my fellow Saintees to give Oor Morag a nice big man sized portion of abuse for me though!

Sounds like a really shite birthday present to me ! Why did she not book hospitality at the game or a nice meal afterwards, get rid of her now !

[Noose76]

Sounds like a really shite birthday present to me ! Why did she not book hospitality at the game or a nice meal afterwards, get rid of her now !

Hospitality is for suited types who think they're too good to sit with the "Real" fans. You dont get much of a sing song behind the glass do you, and you can't call Morag a bint for giving Saints offside when they were clearly only marginally offside. Non stop booze would be fun mind you!

[soulfulsaint]

Dear God, this thread is depressing! We are short in one position and that's it. Look at our midfield compared to theirs, it isn't a contest!

We are a different side at home and showed against Burnley the threat we can carry going forward. The difference is Livingston don't have a £1,000,000 striker to score or create goals like they did.


Agreed. It should be a comfortable home win if it weren't for Saints' ability to defy logic. Feel quietly confident

[1884]

Saints played a game for an hour on the pitch yesterday with James playing the full hour. He may get the nod ahead of Caff on Saturday? Apparently, there's no chance of Main being between the sticks v Meadowbank though...

[Radford 72]

Saints played a game for an hour on the pitch yesterday with James playing the full hour. He may get the nod ahead of Caff on Saturday? Apparently, there's no chance of Main being between the sticks v Meadowbank though...
Jim Masson in the Evening Telegraph yesterday reckoned James might replace Ando. Jim is never far from the truth but I can't see that being the case as it would mean Caff moving to right back and Gaz Irvine staying in midfield. I do think James will be back in the side though. Most interesting thing might be whether it's him or Ruti that captains the side.

[Noose76]

Radford I've a few questions for you

1. do you have a job?

2. Do you have a girlfriend?

3. Do you ever leave the house?

4. Do you play World of Warcraft?

5. How do you know everything?

Feel free to answer all of the above, or not. :D

[Radford 72]

The answer to all those questions is brown, Noosy.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Just got back in town and am trying to catch up on what I missed but am a bit knackered after travelling for 26 hours.Hows about a quick update Radford on whats been going on and how were looking for the Livi game....
:)

[Radford 72]

Just got back in town and am trying to catch up on what I missed but am a bit knackered after travelling for 26 hours.Hows about a quick update Radford on whats been going on and how were looking for the Livi game....
:)
Did you smuggle that ladyboy through customs, ok?

Most of what's happened is probably covered on the Temple but we lost 2-1 at County on Saturday and didn't really get going at all. Only positives IMO were Millar, Holmes and Samuel, although I don't think everyone would agree on the last one. Conceded two cheap goals again. Worse news was Savo and Ando both limped off injured before half-time. Latest report is Savo (10 days), Morris (2-3 weeks), Mooner and Main are unlikely to be fit. Ando might make it, although was sent for a scan on his ankle/knee. Everyone else is fit bit we still don't have a left back, Craig played there up at Dingwall. Dundee fans on P&B have been missing you long time and there's only been 27 threads about their financial situation in your absence. They have no fit centre backs for their game on Saturday and lost to Alloa in the Challenge Cup!

[monkfish]

Please tell me it's Morag?

Just checked it

St. Johnstone v Livingston
Iain Brines, John Bicknell, Morag Pirie

:D

I don't know about Bicknell but thats 2/3 of an unholy trinity!

[SJFC1988,]

Think there will be lots of goals on Sat. 2-2 0r 3-2 something like that.

Would go:

McLean

Irvine Caff Rusty Sheerin

Swankie Hardie Millar Craig

Jacko Holems

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Did you smuggle that ladyboy through customs, ok?

Most of what's happened is probably covered on the Temple but we lost 2-1 at County on Saturday and didn't really get going at all. Only positives IMO were Millar, Holmes and Samuel, although I don't think everyone would agree on the last one. Conceded two cheap goals again. Worse news was Savo and Ando both limped off injured before half-time. Latest report is Savo (10 days), Morris (2-3 weeks), Mooner and Main are unlikely to be fit. Ando might make it, although was sent for a scan on his ankle/knee. Everyone else is fit bit we still don't have a left back, Craig played there up at Dingwall. Dundee fans on P&B have been missing you long time and there's only been 27 threads about their financial situation in your absence. They have no fit centre backs for their game on Saturday and lost to Alloa in the Challenge Cup!

Cheers Radford and no I didn,t smuggle you back a ladyboy.:laugh: although I did smuggle some FAGS............

[Pants n Socks]

Hey, newbie here.

I'm not feeling half as bad as after Dingwall last weekend. Let's face it, if they guys turn up and win by a couple of goals tomorrow then all will be forgotten and everyone will be feeling positive again so here's hoping!

Tay FM sports news just said Jody, Savo, Mooner, Ando and Main have all been ruled out which is a bit of a pity cos I thought Main might make it. Also had Del on saying he's still trying for this left back but it's not easy. Like many others I'd like to see Sheerin back there to allow Liam back into his more familiar midfield role.

Mon the Saints!

[Kevin]

My only concern with James back in the side is that we will revert to the long ball game which will rule out the strength we have in midfield

[superhans]

I'm not keen on having James back. Livi's forwards dont have much of an aerial threat, they are small, fast strikers. James is painfully slow and could get embarrassed.

However I don't waste my time with diddy matches so haven't seen the defence yet this season. Are we that lacking in organisation that we need the influence of James?

[dan the saint]

3-1 win

As for line up, id go

Mclean
Irvine Rusty Caff Sheerin
Swankie Miller Hardie Craig
Samuel Jacko

[Oldmuirton]

I'm not keen on having James back. Livi's forwards dont have much of an aerial threat, they are small, fast strikers. James is painfully slow and could get embarrassed.

However I don't waste my time with diddy matches so haven't seen the defence yet this season. Are we that lacking in organisation that we need the influence of James?

I dont think James is as slow as he looks -he does take enormous strides!- and he has dealt effectively enough with small fast strikers in the past.

And yes we do need his influence in organisation. In fairness the disorganisation may be more to do with an unsettled defence due to the absence of a proper left back but nevertheless the defence is always better organised when James is playing.

[1884]

I'm not confident using James when he's just 'recovered' fae injury. Is he ready to be given a start?


Having said that the defence just now is chaotic anyway...:-|

[superhans]

How good can Livi be? They have almost an entirely new team who will not be used to playing with each other. We should be looking forward to attacking them and banging in a few goals, yet it appears that most supporters are worried about our defence and lack of a left back. The situation at the back is far from ideal but will improve given time. Our strengths should also be highlighted, namely our array of talented midfielders and strikers.

I'm looking forward to seeing Swankie and Millar for the first time. Maybe its my arrogance coming through but I expect us to win comfortably and set ourselves for winning the league.

[pringles]

i think your confidence is entirely misplaced. unsettled defence crap keeper and even when Main comes back I look forward to the entertaining Saturday night debates "was he badly positioned or was it a brilliant chip"
I think QOS will win the league and we'll be about fifth.

[thewhorule2002]

i think your confidence is entirely misplaced. unsettled defence crap keeper and even when Main comes back I look forward to the entertaining Saturday night debates "was he badly positioned or was it a brilliant chip"
I think QOS will win the league and we'll be about fifth.

Jesus, way to be confident before a ball is kicked in the league!

Fifth in the league?? Has any team in the league significantly strengthened in the close season? No, in fact Hamilton are out of the league with no SPL team to replace them and dundee IMO are worse off squad wise than last year - they were the only two teams ahead of us!

QOS may do well but I dont think they have the squad to win the league and neither do most of their own fans.

Saints - new keeper who will start the season and will hopefully improve - main will be back in a few weeks. Defence wise, we dont have stanic (a big loss) but in Caff we have a better player than mcmanus. The defence will be not much different from last year - Irvine/James/Ando/Rusty/Caff/Full back.

Midfield - we have brought in Millar, got Morris on board for the whole season, got Craig on a permanent deal, signed Swankie - who have we lost? Mcluskey? Quinn? I would say an improved midfield.

Up front we have lost mcbreen but brought in Samuel and Holmes - so we have more options personnel and formation wise up front.

We have every reason to be confident.

[ForzaLivi]

Cannot wait for this game as we are due a win at McD!I reckon we will be a completly different prospect to last year as we have added some very good players and even those that were there last year look so much better with good players around them(eg fox and hammil who have both been outstanding in preseason). Sparky(wee ned, gay hair!) is alot more aware of how to deal with big physical defenders now and is looking great! as for Cuenca...best player we have had since Fernandez in our first season in the SPL!Martini in goals actually looks good(neither shaken nor stirred) which is unusual for us!

3-1 Livi

goals from Sparky x2 and McParland for us
Samuel for you

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Cannot wait for this game as we are due a win at McD!I reckon we will be a completly different prospect to last year as we have added some very good players and even those that were there last year look so much better with good players around them(eg fox and hammil who have both been outstanding in preseason). Sparky(wee ned, gay hair!) is alot more aware of how to deal with big physical defenders now and is looking great! as for Cuenca...best player we have had since Fernandez in our first season in the SPL!Martini in goals actually looks good(neither shaken nor stirred) which is unusual for us!

3-1 Livi

goals from Sparky x2 and McParland for us
Samuel for you

You might be able to kid yourself but you aint kidding me.3-1 maybe, but that will be Saints.Hows about another 5-2.....

[scotty gordon]

forzalivi dont know what planet you are on as livi wont score 3 on our halod turf.Looking forward 2 this game as you will see the real deal tomorrow. Come on you saints. 2-0 saints jacko and swankie i hope coz i got money on it.

[ForzaLivi]

believe what you want but i have seen us play and our fitness and confidence levels are WAY up. we have a solid defence a good midfield and a quality striker pairing!:mrgreen:

[SaintDougie]

Im feeling pretty confident about the season ahead, McInnes showed us that he was serious by making some big signings early on. To be honest though I was'nt surprised to see us fall at the first hurdle in the challenge cup, kinda saw that one coming!

As for saturday I'd like to see a repeat performance of the final game last season, 5-1 over livi. Any form of win will do though...

[monkfish]

My only concern with James back in the side is that we will revert to the long ball game which will rule out the strength we have in midfield

Nah judging by Ross County that's happened already.

I'm not sure about this one, any win will do I think, no one really knows what Livi will be like, but we should do the business.

[pringles]

mccafferty is WORSE than mcmanus i predict we will have one point after three games and it will be panic loan signing time again tomorrow 3-1 Livi although I would love to be proved wrong

[scotty gordon]

I Think We Should Think Possitive And Get Right Behind Our Team And Back Them Rather Than Think Negative We Have A Great Squad All Be It An Depleated 1 We Can Pull Together And Get Behind The Team

[Invernessaint]

believe what you want but i have seen us play and our fitness and confidence levels are WAY up. we have a solid defence a good midfield and a quality striker pairing!:mrgreen:

An interesting position to be in and one we have found ourselves in a few times - really looking forward to a new season, strengthened side, going well in friendlies etc. Now, stating the obvious I know, you will either come down to earth with a bump on Saturday or give us a working over with all this confidence, strength etc. I have seen the Saints 3 times (2 friendlies and the CC match) and unfortunatley cannot say the same things about my side as you can yours. However, Saturday is where it all kicks off in earnest and I do expect us to have improved since last weekends Dingwall debacle. However, you are without doubt an unknown quantity and I dont like that at all! An improved Saints showing but I have a feeling you will leave with the 3 points.

[101 Saint]

Kelly
Caff Ruti-James(c)-Craig
Swankie-Millar-Hardie-Sheerin
Jacko-Sammy

Subs: McLean, MacDonald, Holmes, Kerr, Doris

2-2

Craig staying at left back as we don't need his power in midfield with mental and Midge playing centrally. Also Mackay made a fool of Peanut at Almondvale last year.

If Swankie cannae be bothered, Doris can replace him.

I spoke with James this week and he is desperate to play. Very keyed up individual, we desperately need him. I'm gutted to be missing this one.

[Dev]

Kelly
Caff Ruti-James(c)-Craig
Swankie-Millar-Hardie-Sheerin
Jacko-Sammy

Subs: McLean, MacDonald, Holmes, Kerr, Doris

What have you done with Irvine? And Weatherston?

[101 Saint]

Not sure that Gaz is fit and Davie appears to be an outcast under Del. He could replace Doris but I reckon the wee man is playing well enough to take the place on merit. Not fussy either way, neither should get a game on merit and they will only contribute if Swankie doesn't perform.

[auld reekie saint]

What have you done with Irvine? And Weatherston?

Agree that Irvine should be in.
Weatherston? Personally I don't think he is good enough for us.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

I hope the line-up is very much like this...

McLean.
Irvine,Rusty,James,Sheerin.
Swankie,Hardie,Millar,
Jackson,Holmes,Samuel.

Subs.Kelly,Craig,McDonald,McCaffery,Weathereston.

4-3-3.........................

If we cannae defend, lets just make sure we score more than the oposition..

Come on You Saints...

[Dev]

Agree that Irvine should be in.
Weatherston? Personally I don't think he is good enough for us.

Regardless of that, he's more likely to be on the bench than Doris or Kerr.

[slf]

intae them skanky meadowbankers,bunch of losers.

[ForzaLivi]

intae them skanky fermers,bunch of losers.

[MUZZ]

intae them skanky fermers,bunch of losers.


on ya go son! enjoy the game.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

intae them skanky fermers,bunch of losers.

Dinnae you go missing now if your team get pumped,you West Lothian Walloper:)

[ForzaLivi]

Dinnae you go missing now if your team get pumped,you West Lothian Walloper:)

i won't i will just deny that we deserved a pumpin :P also i'm not a West Lothian Walloper :P

[O'Rourke]

i won't i will just deny that we deserved a pumpin :P also i'm not a West Lothian Walloper :P

Ok walloper. :)

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

i won't i will just deny that we deserved a pumpin :P also i'm not a West Lothian Walloper :P


Are you going to the game????

[Alan Main FanClub]

Not at all confident, Livingston will be good and I can't help but think a lot of you guys on here are being over-confident. They held Coventry to a draw in their last friendly, and how do we know how good these Italian players are? We won't know until 4.45pm and I reckon we could be in trouble today. If we suffer an early defeat at home, we may struggle to win most of our games at home this season. Lineup should be;

McLean
Irvine
Sheerin
James
Rusty
Craig
Hardie
Miller
Jackson
MacDonald
Holmes

Kelly? Caff, Samuel, Weatherston and Hopefully Kerr/Doris.

Hope we get of to a good start, but not at all confident. I think 1-2. :(

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

An hour and 45 minutes to the big kick-off and I for one am chomping at the bit.It,s like waiting to get up on Christmas morning..I can feel the blood starting to course through my veins.The sense of anticipation is wonderful and yet there is a feeling of dread, lingering somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind.The noise ,the clatter of leather on woodwork,the baiting of the referee and the relief as the 3 points are secured ..Thank you for the wonderful game that is FOOTBALL.....

COME ON YOU SAINTS,COME ON YOU SAINTS FANS..

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Not at all confident, Livingston will be good and I can't help but think a lot of you guys on here are being over-confident. They held Coventry to a draw in their last friendly, and how do we know how good these Italian players are? We won't know until 4.45pm and I reckon we could be in trouble today. If we suffer an early defeat at home, we may struggle to win most of our games at home this season. Lineup should be;

McLean
Irvine
Sheerin
James
Rusty
Craig
Hardie
Miller
Jackson
MacDonald
Holmes

Kelly? Caff, Samuel, Weatherston and Hopefully Kerr/Doris.

Hope we get of to a good start, but not at all confident. I think 1-2. :(

So your not giving Swankie a game then????????

[Southpaw]

Not at all confident, Livingston will be good and I can't help but think a lot of you guys on here are being over-confident. They held Coventry to a draw in their last friendly, and how do we know how good these Italian players are? We won't know until 4.45pm and I reckon we could be in trouble today. If we suffer an early defeat at home, we may struggle to win most of our games at home this season. Lineup should be;

McLean
Irvine
Sheerin
James
Rusty
Craig
Hardie
Miller
Jackson
MacDonald
Holmes

Kelly? Caff, Samuel, Weatherston and Hopefully Kerr/Doris.

Hope we get of to a good start, but not at all confident. I think 1-2. :(

Even after all the Italian stuff from Livi over the summer, we'll only see 2 or 3 new faces in the team. Basicaly it's the same squad with Dorrans and Snodgrass out and a couple of Italians in. Unknown quantity...yes. Italian invasion...no. Home win.

C'way the Blues.

[PSJ Fan]

1-0 Peaso

[St. Paddy]

Craig off. Professional foul!

[SingaporeSaint]

any updates ? 20 minutes and down to ten men, finger biting starts from game one !!!!

[SingaporeSaint]

McCaffery on for Peaso , sounds like backs against teh wall stuff for last 15 minutes, this is worse than being at the game.

[Moray Blue]

last radio update reckoned Saints were comfortable

[SingaporeSaint]

5 mins to go and jackson replaced by Holmes !!! C'mon Hang on !!!

BTW, I am the only one online sweating over this?

[SingaporeSaint]

Thanks Moray, I feel less lonely now !!!!

[SingaporeSaint]

Three sent off in the 1st Division already in the first game of the season, must be a record??

[PSJ Fan]

Just about hangin' on here too

[Moray Blue]

Three sent off in the 1st Division already in the first game of the season, must be a record??

Just another Saturday

Pen to Saints

[PSJ Fan]

Penalty!

[O'Rourke]

solid start 2 up

[Moray Blue]

2-0 Sheerin

[PSJ Fan]

2-0!

[O'Rourke]

...and a clean sheet!:D

[SingaporeSaint]

Welcome PSJ my fellow Singapore Saint, time to relax 2 -0 ..Fab !!!!!

[Moray Blue]

FT 2-0. At last a win on opening day.

Happy days may be here again!

[SingaporeSaint]

Thanks to Mr Daal , the Derry Boys didn't end with a clean sheet !

[PSJ Fan]

Welcome PSJ my fellow Singapore Saint, time to relax 2 -0 ..Fab !!!!!

Cheers, John - good result indeed.

[injured saint]

will we be at the top of the league then

[Johnstoun]

will we be at the top of the league then

Yes, Dundee & Thistle +1. Not that it matters, unless we hang on for the next 35 games!

[Aitchy]

We are top of the league, we are top of the league oh ah!!

[Lost Son of Fairbairn]

Keeping upto date in Essex ... gutted ive not got back to Perth for this. 2-0 up ...... Come On Saints !

Noticed the scum are 2-1 up at County ....Daal scored for County ?????

[Coltrane]

Nice start to the season!! Go Saints!!

[SingaporeSaint]

Knock Knock....who'se there

Topov

Topov who ?

This song is dedicated to Greg Twine (Pompey Swine) whose monkey looks were akin to Topov the Monkey who was at the time a childrens character ! True Story BTW.

Saint Supporter legend !

[O'Rourke]

Great to hear Kevin James was back, was it all down to his return?

[O'Rourke]

Knock Knock....who'se there

Topov

Topov who ?

This song is dedicated to Greg Twine (Pompey Swine) whose monkey looks were akin to Topov the Monkey who was at the time a childrens character ! True Story BTW.

Saint Supporter legend !

:laugh:

[Dev]

Pretty chuffed with that, a 2-0 victory is an ideal way to start the season.

No doubt about the red card, Griffiths was clean through on goal and Craig chopped him down.

McLean looked good today and made some good stops. On that evidence the pre-season criticism was unfounded.

Kevin James made a huge difference at the back, thank goodness he's back. Hopefully he can keep himself fit.

A Saints victory makes for a good weekend! :)

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Great start.First half was pretty poor but Saints did have a couple of good chances, one was well saved by the livi keeper and another a header from Hardie( I think) which he some how managed to head the wrong way.Craig was playing left back.

Second half and Samuel made way for Swankie. Sheerin moved to left back and Craig into midfield.Much better play by Saints with Swankie and Millar running the show.Peaso who had up to that point been pretty shit( and would have been off if I was the manager) lashed the ball into the top of the net from 6 yards after good work from ????and a possible penalty shout.Craig was then sent off ( fair decision) for a last man foul just outside the Saints box.It was a bit hairy for a while and ref Ian Brines did his best to help livi with some piss poor decisions but in the end they ran out of gas and right at the death Brines awarded Saints a very soft penalty( if it had been against us I would have been raging).Up stepped Sheerin and stroked the ball home.2-0 Saints and game over.Overall a fair performance from Saints but I think we will have to improve some what if we are to win the title.Clean sheet was a good thing and Mclean played pretty well with a couple of decent saves .Top of the league thanks to a Dyron Daal last minute goal at RC.Still a legend eh!!!!..Shit crowd of only 2600 ish...

[Dev]

Great to hear Kevin James was back, was it all down to his return?

James definitely made a difference but McLean did well today as well. The defence definitely wasn't watertight and McLean had to make some decent saves, particularly in the first half. We were comfortable in the second half really.

[Dev]

Samuel was woeful but according to McInnes on the radio he'd picked up a hamstring injury.

[scotty gordon]

well done saints keep it up.woz suprised swankie woz on bench

[Rodgers]

mclean came out more today and looked alot more confident, ruti looked much better with james there, and good to see gary back at right back. and yeah mclean did have to pull off some good saves

well done lads

[Rodgers]

well done saints, good start
first half wasnt the best but livi didnt cause much problems, we looked ALOT better today than we did against county last week, we looked alot more interested.

peaso wasnt the best in the first half, kept giving the ball away but bucked up in the second half and got himself a goal. millar and swankie still looking good.

the sending off, was correct, he was clean through on goal, nothing much else he could of done.

good win, we're top of the league and staying there . . . .

[Dev]

Livi keeper Pierre-Antoine Martini did well to parry from Collin Samuel, while a Leigh Griffiths thunderbolt was blocked by Euan McLean in Saints' goal.

But Cameron MacDonald raced through to score after Gavin Swankie's good run.

Cameron MacDonald?!?

First Media Falsehood of the season for the Temple I reckon!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/7536363.stm

[SaintSam1884]

Credit to Kevin James who looked much fitter than I've seen him for a long time and really sorted out our problems in defence and guided a usually nervous McLean through the match. McLean looked immeasurably better as a result, with only a couple of instances of nervous decision making which fortunately went unpunished.

It's good to be sitting top of the league after day one. Two goals scored, none conceded. Not quite the five goals we hit them for at the end of last season, but a clean sheet is much more welcomed!

Referee was shocking.

[SingaporeSaint]

Very good win for Dundee today. not many teams will take 3 points at dingwall.

[The Real Saints]

We played much better once Swankie was introduced to the fray, after Samuel's hamstring injury.
We were very scrappy in the first half, and didn't seem determined to win the game. Our only chances were a few half-hearted attempts from distance.
Our strikers were too slow, and got pushed off the ball far too easily by the Livingston defence. Thankfully, our defence was uncharacteristically solid today, although the speedy Griffiths caused a few problems.
We were much brighter in the second half, and deserved to score the first goal. Craig, who I feel was wasted as a left back in the first half, was rightly sent off for a last man tackle on Griffiths.
The boys showed great character to stay in the game after that, and were rewarded for their efforts with the 2-0 goal, coming from a Sheerin penalty after the impressive Millar made a good run.
We were more solid today, however there is still much room for improvement.

[Dev]

Referee was shocking.

I had actually thought he was having a good game up until halfway though the second half when he lost it. He was playing a lot of good advantages and was letting the game flow well. Then as soon as I opened my mouth and said he wsa having a good game, it all fell apart.

[HertsSaintee]

Big improvement over last week today. Big Kev made the difference at the back, with Euan a stand out with some good stops. Thought we defended very well after Liam walked, with Wizard and Caff both as cool as you like. Chris Millar is going to be a star for us this season. Love the way he drops back looking for the ball to start the moves.

A word for Dyron. Never scored a goal for us, but the next goal he scores puts us top of the league. You couldn't make it up...

[sign dave]

ghost of j m, it was swankies work that led to peasos goal,

Im sure we all seen a big gap from the loss of save, when samuel went off, our attack got limited, then even more so by the substitution of peaso, couldnt see us scoring when holmes was up on his own, but good play to swankie and millar(at times) for getting up the wings and taken the ball up.

was impressed by mclean today, glad we seen a better side to his keeping than previous games, and the clean sheet will boost him a lot!

[ForzaLivi]

baws! thought yous deserved to win but it was NEVER a penalty! also i really wish craig had let griffiths go. 1-1 with 11 a piece would have changed the game more than 1-0 with saints down to 10 IMO. thought Cuenca got bullied out the game by that dirty **** Hardie!

[slf]

braw

[Dev]

thought Cuenca got bullied out the game by that dirty **** Hardie!

That's what he's there for. Football isn't for fairies, you don't just let the opposition do as they please.

[dave mc]

McLean kept us in it at 0-0 with 2 or 3 really good stops,Kev was dominant,but Millar was superb,constantly working and good use of the ball.Sheerin was fine ,but his poor ball landed Craig in trouble,that led to the red card,thought he made a genuine attempt to get the ball,and was unlucky for the red

[Dev]

Sheerin was fine ,but his poor ball landed Craig in trouble,that led to the red card,thought he made a genuine attempt to get the ball,and was unlucky for the red

You're right, it was a very poor ball from Sheerin.

Craig definitely deserved to go though, he denied a clear goalscoring opportunity whether he made a genuine attempt for the ball or not. I did feel sorry for him personally though, he was doing his best despite being out of position.

[ancientsaint]

Samuel was woeful but according to McInnes on the radio he'd picked up a hamstring injury.



yeah....surprised to find that your hamstring can go by walking about- (only kidding !!).

[Pablo]

Mention for McLean - I thought he did well today. I'm sure he got a rollicking from Del after a poor showing at Dingwall last week but if anything it seemed to do his confidence the world of good.

[lossiesaint]

Good win today. Thought the side played better in the second half, but I didint think samuel was that bad as people are saying... a lot of balls played to him seemed a bit short. think he likes it to feet. Millar had a good game and James ran the back 4 well, but can anyone tell me why Rustybits needs to always sclaff the ball either out or long? I think that he thinks we would be better playing in tesco car park! Overall, the sending off was a defo... looked like a scythe to me, but then the guy should have at least been booked for raising his hands to Mclean, who incidentally looks like he is gaining a bit of confidence. not as good as i had hoped, but good enough, will be happy if we take 2 nils like that at home all season!

[Dave H]

a few critics when we win 2-0. Yes it was a distinctly average performance first half, and ten men for most of second half, but we have a shut out and sit top of the league. how can we be so critical. will take that result for the rest of the season.

seems to be that you got to have a moan at something. I will moan at the weather man, that must of been the heaviest rain shower i have ever witnessed at a footy game. cheer up or shut up :)

[Pablo]

a few critics and we win 2-0, with a distinctly average performance first half, and ten men for most of second half, and we have a shut out and top of the league.
seems to be that you got to have a moan at something. I will moan at the weather man, that must of been the heaviest rain shower i have ever witnessed. cheer up or shut up :)

There's always something though! Could have won 9-0 and folk would be complaining that wasn't enough!

[templeofsaints]

Thought we were average for long spells - no creativity and too many square balls and too little movement. Once we scored though I thought we were comfortable and even down to 10 men Livi failed to capitalise. No complaints about the red card but some of the antics from Griffiths and co were ridiculous.

Mind you Livi must be sensitive souls now - apparently according to the post-match press conference, their coach was complaining about the bad language from the Saints dugout. :)

[ancientsaint]

a few critics when we win 2-0. Yes it was a distinctly average performance first half, and ten men for most of second half, but we have a shut out and sit top of the league. how can we be so critical. will take that result for the rest of the season.

seems to be that you got to have a moan at something. I will moan at the weather man, that must of been the heaviest rain shower i have ever witnessed at a footy game. cheer up or shut up :)

was funny (sorry folks) watching those sitting pitchside take a hasty retreat to "warmer climates" of the upper tiers of the east stand !!


As far as moaning and criticism goes....thats what makes forums so interesting...you can all have your opinions- win / lose or draw.

[keveyboysaint]

baws! thought yous deserved to win but it was NEVER a penalty! also i really wish craig had let griffiths go. 1-1 with 11 a piece would have changed the game more than 1-0 with saints down to 10 IMO. thought Cuenca got bullied out the game by that dirty **** Hardie!


how could you see that from the livi end? was right in front of it and def pen.
aye footballs not for poofs (sometimes wonder though) piss off back to meadowbank ya toss pot.

[blueheaven]

Cameron MacDonald?!?

First Media Falsehood of the season for the Temple I reckon!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/7536363.stm

It's not like the BBC to make a mistake like that. Everyone knows his full name is actually "Former Rangers player Cameron MacDonald".

Great result to start the season. Only 35 games to go! Mon the Saints.

[HeronAddict]

First half today was poor from Saints. Thought the 4-3-3 was too rigid and we struggled to create. Folk around me seemed determined to give Samuel dogs abuse from the 1st minute. Juts ridiculous,give the boy a chance. Of the front three,thought he was the most effective whilst on the park. Peaso looked lost wide left.

Second half and switch to 4-4-2 was crucial. Thought Swankie added something,Peaso through the middle was always a threat and we just looked more creative and comfortable on the ball. Miller and Hardie also looked like they could be a superb combo in the centre of the park. Craig had to go. Griffiths looked a player, but too much petulance and green boots...oh dear.

Livingston were really really poor, and there's no doubt a better team would have ripped us down the left. A Stanic born after 1980 is required. But we're certainly nowhere near asd bad as some people would have you belive after pre-season.

[stanley saint]

good start to , hopefully, a great season

[THE LARK SAINT]

baws! thought yous deserved to win but it was NEVER a penalty! also i really wish craig had let griffiths go. 1-1 with 11 a piece would have changed the game more than 1-0 with saints down to 10 IMO. thought Cuenca got bullied out the game by that dirty **** Hardie!
Eat or be eaten, thats oor MMM for you.NAE LUCK PAL!!!

[ForzaLivi]

how could you see that from the livi end? was right in front of it and def pen.
aye footballs not for poofs (sometimes wonder though) piss off back to meadowbank ya toss pot.

erm because the ball clearly changed direction before talbot hit the saints player ergo he won the ball.
aye but kicking players off the ball repeatedly when the refs back is turned is just ****ing scumbag behaviour.

meadowbank...get over it ya inbred fermer prick

[O'Rourke]

erm because the ball clearly changed direction before talbot hit the saints player ergo he won the ball.
aye but kicking players off the ball repeatedly when the refs back is turned is just ****ing scumbag behaviour.

meadowbank...get over it ya inbred fermer prick

forza off loser :laugh:

[O'Rourke]

Hard to believe, but the league season STARTS this weekend. Given some of the doom and gloom on other threads you'd be forgiven for thinking our season is already over!

Whatever happens over the next few days someone will be in the left-back slot on Saturday...

Early predictions?

Will we get off to a flyer?
Or will we be dire?

2:0 Home win

gloat gloat gloat only time I'll get the result correct this season

[Cagey]

Good to get the season off the mark with 3 points. Thought Saints dominated the first half but Livi had 3 good chances which McLean dealt with. He looked better today but Main must be coaching him as he kicked most balls out for throw ins in the second half & had a go at Swankie for not getting on the end of them. Hopefully he will stop punting every ball up the park all the time.

Millar was great in the first half but dissapeared for a wee while in second before winning a pen`. Sheeren played well at left back when we went down to 10 men. James made a big difference to the defence but Irvine struggled when pressurised down the left.

Jacko is a shadow of his last season form & I think he is struggling after his close season problems.Samual was non existant & Peaso was lost out left in the first half even though he was great there last season. Did better when he moved inside in the second half. Peaso,Jacko, Swankie looks like our best front 3 at the moment. Hopefully it is just because he isn`t fit yet that made Samual look pants.

Livi had a lot of possesion & knocked the ball about after we went down to 10 but McLean never had a shot to save.

[keveyboysaint]

erm because the ball clearly changed direction before talbot hit the saints player ergo he won the ball.
aye but kicking players off the ball repeatedly when the refs back is turned is just ****ing scumbag behaviour.

meadowbank...get over it ya inbred fermer prick

whats a fermer? no ferms where i live. I forgot everyone in perth is a fermer to you scumbags. It was a pen. took no ball mate.
it was you know
it was you know

now go away.

[scotty gordon]

forzalivi why dont you admit it and you were shite today and were deservedly beaten by a far superior 10 man team.saints looking good for league keep it up saints

[ForzaLivi]

i already said i thought you deserved to win but i didnt feel it was a pen and martin hardie IS a dirty ****

[supersaint44]

. Folk around me seemed determined to give Samuel dogs abuse from the 1st minute. Juts ridiculous,give the boy a chance.

I think one of those was me i gave him tones of abuse for looking fat and slow. As i've said before i don't doubt his ability i doubt his determination and consistancy, he looked really slow and unfit today if he gets fit and his head into the game i think he could do a good job.

[yahoorsir]

So Landi doesn't like bad language. Well he can f*** off for a start! :laugh:

Apart from Millar's performance I thought the best thing about today was the determination once we went down to 10 men. We gave them absolutely nothing after that and were pretty comfortable. Even Ruti had a good second half but was woeful in the first and was really struggling in how to handle Griffiths.

Well done to McLean as well. Much improved.

Re the Craig sending off, I would bet that a few months into the season that will be a yellow card. Just think last year we got something like 20 penalties but how many times (if any) was a player sent off? Technically it may have been the correct decision but I still thought it harsh and after that Brines simply lost the plot for about 20 minutes

[Jamie_Beatson]

There was no doubt it was a red card. If Craig hadn't chopped him he was almost certain to score. We got tons of penalties last season but I don't think that automatically means they were clear scoring chances.

[SaintSam1884]

I think one of those was me i gave him tones of abuse for looking fat and slow. As i've said before i don't doubt his ability i doubt his determination and consistancy, he looked really slow and unfit today if he gets fit and his head into the game i think he could do a good job.

Chris Millar played several balls to Samuel that were far too short.

I think all of our strikers will struggle if McInnes keeps changing the formation and the personnel. Jackson especially looks to be struggling in that respect, but to touch on a suggestion earlier that he's a shadow of last seasons form, I don't think he's just become a poor player for no reason. Yesterday we kept playing long balls forward and he was effectively marked by their defence. The ball needs to be played into his feet or over the top into space for him to run on to - not onto a defenders head. When Savo is back, I think we should play the front three that were so successful last season and let the others work their way into contention.

[Southpaw]

Re the Craig sending off, I would bet that a few months into the season that will be a yellow card. Just think last year we got something like 20 penalties but how many times (if any) was a player sent off? Technically it may have been the correct decision but I still thought it harsh and after that Brines simply lost the plot for about 20 minutes

Those types of fouls should be a sending off every day of the week and quite right too. No complaints about the sending off and, from a Saints point of view, it was the right decision by Craig to try and make a tackle as soon as he did.

[templeofsaints]

Those types of fouls should be a sending off every day of the week and quite right too. No complaints about the sending off and, from a Saints point of view, it was the right decision by Craig to try and make a tackle as soon as he did.
Agreed - I think the foul came about partly because of Craig's inexperience at left-back. That meant a tackle that was slightly mistimed and is the difference between a foul and red card and a last-ditch saving tacklle.

[Broggy Man]

Agreed - I think the foul came about partly because of Craig's inexperience at left-back. That meant a tackle that was slightly mistimed and is the difference between a foul and red card and a last-ditch saving tacklle.
Im not sure about that Temple I think Liam knew exactly what he was doing and well he made the sacrifice which may or may not have one us the game

[St Mikey]

I think its great there was some angry words between the managers!

I want all 9 teams in the division to hate us. I don't care as we need to act like this to win the league. Arrogance followed up by good football will give us the league

[SPACEMAN]

very happy to get the win yesterday. i thought millar was outstanding and swankie looked not too bad when he came on. it might not have been pretty, but pretty teams don't win division 1.

[garydavidson]

livi must be one of the softest teams i have seen in a long time hit the deck very easily we did catch on that the ref gave free kicks for it and hardie got one for very little and the penalty was soft saw it coming though.

easy enough win in the end and we never looked anywhere near what we are capable. Thought there was improvement from last week. Good having james back made everything that bit safer but we really did look like we were going to gift them a goal for periods of the first half.

even with 10 men we were comfortable. Liam was unfortunate his challenge was just mistimed it was not out of malice but last man he had to go.

good enough performance got the three points and a clean sheet though and thats the only thing that matters come the end of the season.

[Morientes]

Im not sure about that Temple I think Liam knew exactly what he was doing and well he made the sacrifice which may or may not have one us the game

I reckon Craig made such a rash challenge because is was his bad pass that led to Saints defence being caught.

He passed the ball straight to the Livingston midfielder/attacker who played the little ned through.

He knew it would be his fault if Livingston scored so went all out to stop it happening at any cost.

[Pants n Socks]

It's all already been said really but I thought first half was a bit cautious from both teams but second half following the introduction of Swankie and putting Peaso more central, I thought we looked better and more comfortable.

Had it not been for Craig's sending off I think we could've gone on to score 1 or 2 more but the plan changed and I thought we did the right thing defending our lead.

I thought Del's move to bring Caff on to protect in front of the defence worked brilliantly as it stopped any Livvy runners from midfield which had looked a wee bit dangerous up to that point. Great tactical move by the boss!

I'm pretty optimistic about our chances after this game. We clearly have the ability to change things when it's not working for us and i think this will be a big thing in games as Del isn't afraid to make these changes.

Happy days! :)

[pavel]

Once Sheerin had stuck away the penalty, did anyone see Hardie making a shhh gesture?
He was kind of looking at the east stand when he did it, but I dont think he meant it at us.
Who did he mean to shhh?

[wee john]

a few critics when we win 2-0. Yes it was a distinctly average performance first half, and ten men for most of second half, but we have a shut out and sit top of the league. how can we be so critical. will take that result for the rest of the season.

seems to be that you got to have a moan at something. I will moan at the weather man, that must of been the heaviest rain shower i have ever witnessed at a footy game. cheer up or shut up :)

There's always something though! Could have won 9-0 and folk would be complaining that wasn't enough!


The PC brigade have started early.