#03 - 05/08/08 - Stenhousemuir (a) - Co-Op Insurance Cup

[The Real Saints]

Looking forward to visiting Ochilview for the first time.
Of course, our main priority is the league, so I'd expect McInnes would wish to field a slightly weakened fringe side, but still an XI perfectly capable of coming away with a win. A weaker team may not be possible though. With our defensive options so meagre, there aren't really many options other than to play the same back four of Irvine, Rutkiewicz, James, and Sheerin. I can't see us signing a left back by Tuesday which is a shame, as Paul and Liam Craig's talents are considerably wasted playing in that unfamilar position. I wouldn't be surprised if McCaffrey started in place of one of James or Rutkiewicz.
With Samuel and Milne injured, we are left with only 3 out and out strikers in Jackson, MacDonald and Holmes, so I can't imagine us playing a 4-3-3, but a 4-4-2 instead. Who Del picks, I don't know, but I'd be tempted to start Saturday's substitute Holmes, with A.N. Other (possibly Jackson, who looked short of match fitness and sharpness yesterday).
In midfield, I'd start Swankie on the left, and would be tempted to give Weatherston a run out on the right, with Millar in the centre beside perhaps a more gritty player such as Hardie. Does Liam Craig's red card only suspend him from league matches or will he be unavailable on Tuesday?

Anyway, I look forward to this match after a promising start to the league season. The confidence is there, but Stenhousemuir shouldn't be underestimated.

[SlickDT]

I'd go- (giving a few boys a run out to get them going for the season!)

MacLean

Irvine-Rusty-McCaffery-Sheerin

Davie-Millar-Hardie-Swankie

Jackson-Holmes

[ancientsaint]

Personally -whilst i agree the league is the priority-i feel that we should field a strong team against Stenny and hope that we can maintain a settled team at the start of this seasons campaign....i think we need another cup run -just incase we are not gonna be the top team at the end of this season and the cash would come in handy.

BBC Radio Scotland have "hinted" that the 2 biggest teams to gamble on success this season are Dunfermline and Dundee and if one or both of them fail then part-time football will ensue.(so i reckon a cup run is just as vital)
The same applies to Kilmarnock in the SPL who if they lose their status in the top flight may go bust or part-time as well.

[monkfish]

I'd say the big decision in this one is whether to play Kev James or not. If he's dropped then it saves him from injury, but we also need to be building a regular and confident defence. Suppose it depends on just how fit he is.

[Indicator]

FFS WTF - Can someone fill me in on how many cups there are these days. I mean we've just gone out of the Challenge cup - Is this one the Auld League Cup, or a Cooperative Divi Holders only cup, or the WOS v EOS cup, or last years failed Scottish Cup challengers or just the Scottish cup wie yet another sponsor or what? Seems ridiculous having all these cup competitions going when the season has hardly started. Mind you I suppose you could get yourself out o' them all and concentrate on the league from the very start. Hmmm :) yes.

[The Real Saints]

The Co-operative Insurance Cup is the competition formerly known as the CIS Cup. Just a new sponsor.

[taylorboy69]

Got to play as strong a team as possible as on that showing yesterday, we are miles away from being promoted. Too many passengers not knowing where they should be etc.
This is an ideal game to play a similar team to yesterday and keep monentum going.
We are not good enough to be resting half a team IMO.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

The Co-operative Insurance Cup is the competition formerly known as the CIS Cup. Just a new sponsor.

Doesn,t CIS stand for Co-operative Insurance Services.Is it not the same sponsors as before??????:?

[Dev]

The Co-operative Insurance Cup is the competition formerly known as the CIS Cup. Just a new sponsor.

Not quite. It's the same company, they've just re-branded themselves from CIS (standing for Co-operative Insurance Society) to simply Co-operative Insurance.

Doesn,t CIS stand for Co-operative Insurance Services.Is it not the same sponsors as before??????:?

Got there before me. :sad:

[The Real Saints]

You are indeed both correct. Sorry about that!

[Dev]

You are indeed both correct. Sorry about that!

I'm gonna keep it the CIS Cup for the purposes of the thread title because Co-operative Insurance Cup seems too long!

[Dave H]

can I still refer to it as the League cup?

[Cagey]

Got to play as strong a team as possible as on that showing yesterday, we are miles away from being promoted. Too many passengers not knowing where they should be etc.
This is an ideal game to play a similar team to yesterday and keep monentum going.
We are not good enough to be resting half a team IMO.

Have to agree with that but would not play James as I don`t think he could cope with 2 games a week.

[Jamie_Beatson]

Quite looking forward to this one. I work down that way so a nice post match pub dinner followed by a leisurely 10 minute journey up to Larbert for me. Hopefully a decent result to build confidence. Also hoping for a decent turn out from the travelling support.

I'd be tempted to give Weatherston, Swankie and Holmes runs from the start. Who knows who will be at left back.

[Pablo]

Haven't been there since that fateful day but looking forward to it all the same. Will be interesting to see how they play on the synthetic turf as the MOntrose pitch seemed to throw a few of the Saints players. 2-0 win, another shut out for Euan "Clean Sheets" McLean!

[O'Rourke]

There are a few familiar faces at Stenny including John Hilcoat, ex Saint Brian McLaughlin, Steven Hampshire and Ian Harty.....

Should be an interesting wee tussle!

[Pants n Socks]

I can't see him totally changing the team, we don't have enough players for that anyway do we? He could use the opportunity to give a guy like Weatherston a run out and big Holmesy.

I'd like to see the defence and keeper remain the same as following a good defensive performance and clean sheet v Livvy. I don't like a choppy changey defence as I don't think it helps things much. Better to have a solid defensive base that everyone is happy with. (Until we find a left back of course!)

I'd go with:

McLean

Irvine Rusty James Sheerin

Weatherston Millar Hardie

Jacko Holmes Peaso

[Radford 72]

I wouldn't have James near the starting XI on the plastic pitch tomorrow night. I think everyone is agreed the league is the priority and it's not being over-confident to say we should be able to put out a side without Kevin James and still win the match. Also have to be realistic and it's not unlikely he might miss games this season, so it offers an opportunity for Ruti and Caff to play together again.

I think Del might look for pace up front tomorrow night and save Holmes for Saturday, where we're facing a side packed with players above six foot. Would also line us up 4-4-2 as I think we'll play that way at Greenock. Have to wait to see whose fit but that would mean Jacko and either Sammy or Savo up top with Weatherston, Millar, Hardie and Swankie problably across the middle, although the worry there is the lack of grit.

Does anyone know what section of the ground we get?

[Noose76]

There's no segregation, so behind the goal in the terrace.

[Dev]

Does anyone know what section of the ground we get?

I think we get the terrace behind the goal but I could be wrong about that.

[wee john]

Have to agree with that but would not play James as I don`t think he could cope with 2 games a week.

He will not risk James on the hard plastic pitch.
He gets injured walking on the pavement.

[THE LARK SAINT]

IMO for what its worth, i dont think del will tinker with the team much at all and big kev will be a certain starter .sammy will be out from saturdays starting 11 due to injury and i see that as the only major change , so line up will be McCLEAN:IRVINE:CRAIG:MILLAR:RUSTY:BIG KEV:PEASO:MAD MARTIN:JACKO:SWANKIE:SHEERIN.SUBS: CAFF:SAVO:HOLMER:DAVIE W:SUB GOALIE we willjust have to wait and see how close my team is to dels over to you del boy!!

[Indicator]

The Co-operative Insurance Cup is the competition formerly known as the CIS Cup. Just a new sponsor.

Thank you very much. "The Real Saints" :)

[Indicator]

can I still refer to it as the League cup?

Certainly. :)

[sign dave]

IMO for what its worth, i dont think del will tinker with the team much at all and big kev will be a certain starter .sammy will be out from saturdays starting 11 due to injury and i see that as the only major change , so line up will be McCLEAN:IRVINE:CRAIG:MILLAR:RUSTY:BIG KEV:PEASO:MAD MARTIN:JACKO:SWANKIE:SHEERIN.SUBS: CAFF:SAVO:HOLMER:DAVIE W:SUB GOALIE we willjust have to wait and see how close my team is to dels over to you del boy!!


will craig be allowed to play after the red card though? o is that league only?

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Are we going to take a decent crowd down there??? I,m going.Do they still play at Ochilview???

I,d pretty much stick to the same side as we had on Saturday in the second half...Web site says savo,s fit again so hopefully he,ll get a start.I,d go...

McLean,Irvine,Caff,Rusty,Sheerin.
Millar,Hardie,Swankie.
Savo,Jacko,McDonald.

4-3-3

Subs.Kelly,Weatherston,James,Holmes,Doris..

This is assuming Craig is banned??? if he's not

McLean,Irvine,Caff,Rusty,Sheerin.
Millar,Craig,Hardie,Swankie.
Savo,Jacko,

4-4-2..

Subs.Kelly,Weatherston,James,Holmes,McDonald

[ancientsaint]

will craig be allowed to play after the red card though? o is that league only?


normally the suspension is confined to the competition played in at the time of the sending off.....unless it was deemed violent conduct or spitting offence which is automatic no matter the competition.

So it seems Liam will be suspended in league games and not the cup-tie.

[THE LARK SAINT]

will craig be allowed to play after the red card though? o is that league only?

Different copetition Dave so he is ok for tommorow ,but will miss saturday

[THE LARK SAINT]

Are we going to take a decent crowd down there??? I,m going.Do they still play at Ochilview???

I,d pretty much stick to the same side as we had on Saturday in the second half...Web site says savo,s fit again so hopefully he,ll get a start.I,d go...

McLean,Irvine,Caff,Rusty,Sheerin.
Millar,Hardie,Swankie.
Savo,Jacko,McDonald.

4-3-3

Subs.Kelly,Weatherston,James,Holmes,Doris..

This is assuming Craig is banned??? if he's not

McLean,Irvine,Caff,Rusty,Sheerin.
Millar,Craig,Hardie,Swankie.
Savo,Jacko,

4-4-2..

Subs.Kelly,Weatherston,James,Holmes,McDonald

yeh ghostie they still play there,but its a plastic surface thesedays and they ground share with east stirling shire just now, and craig is ok for tommorow. we will take a decent support tommorow as we have not been there for a while im saying f all about my last visit there!!!!MON THE SAINTS!!!

[mainstand]

yeh ghostie they still play there,but its a plastic surface thesedays and they ground share with east stirling shire just now, and craig is ok for tommorow. we will take a decent support tommorow as we have not been there for a while im saying f all about my last visit there!!!!MON THE SAINTS!!!

Where did we play East Stirling in the warm up match?

[Dev]

Where did we play East Stirling in the warm up match?

Firs Park.

[emptyheed]

I'm going, can't bleedin wait!

Anyone know of a decent pub near ground?

[Calypso Kid]

I'm going, can't bleedin wait!

Anyone know of a decent pub near ground?

I aske this on PnB and got told the Warrior club beside the ground is the only decent place nearby.

[Jamie_Beatson]

Go to Stirling for a beer or two if you are heading through fairly early - provided you have someone to drive you to the game or are getting the train. It's only a ten minute drive from various decent pubs (I recommend Pivo or Varsity which are right beside each other).

[Dennistoun Saint]

Anyone got any idea how far the ground is from the railway station?

[Dev]

Anyone got any idea how far the ground is from the railway station?

It's definitely walkable from Larbert station, I've done that in the past. Probably takes around ten minutes and it's straightforward as well, just come out of the station and walk along the main road until you come to the ground.

[Dennistoun Saint]

It's definitely walkable from Larbert station, I've done that in the past. Probably takes around ten minutes and it's straightforward as well, just come out of the station and walk along the main road until you come to the ground.

Cheers Dev.

[Shaggy Jenkins]

Anyone got any idea how far the ground is from the railway station?

not quite to scale

http://www.stenhousemuirfc.com/images/Map-Schematic.gif

[Dennistoun Saint]

not quite to scale

http://www.stenhousemuirfc.com/images/Map-Schematic.gif

Thanks Shaggy.
Had a look on the Scotrail site and the trains are pretty frequent. It's played to a finish tonight isn't it?

[Shaggy Jenkins]

Think it is Extra time an Pens, yes...............not that we will need that.....

[Jamie_Beatson]

Alahan and I are off to Riley's in Stirling for some pre-match snooker. Looking forward to the game now. Come on Saints!

[THE LARK SAINT]

Any score predictions, im going for 3-1 saints!!

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Any score predictions, im going for 3-1 saints!!

Aye , about 35 of them in the prediction league thread :rolleyes:

[perthsaint1884]

Anyone going to be geting updates?

[Dunfermline Saint]

Team from SSN

Mclean
Irvine
Craig
Rutkiewicz
James
Miller
Hardie
Swankie
Jackson
MacDonald
Sheerin

Subs:

Kelly
Holmes
Milne
McCaffrey
Weatherston

[SJFC1988,]

IMO for what its worth, i dont think del will tinker with the team much at all and big kev will be a certain starter .sammy will be out from saturdays starting 11 due to injury and i see that as the only major change , so line up will be McCLEAN:IRVINE:CRAIG:MILLAR:RUSTY:BIG KEV:PEASO:MAD MARTIN:JACKO:SWANKIE:SHEERIN.SUBS: CAFF:SAVO:HOLMER:DAVIE W:SUB GOALIE we willjust have to wait and see how close my team is to dels over to you del boy!!

Spot on:cool:

[SheerLambRule]

stenny have had a goal disallowed. apparently it looked fine

[Dunfermline Saint]

stenny have had a goal disallowed. apparently it looked fine

1-0 Stenhousemuir according to SSN

[Broon]

We're 1-0 down already. Is this on the radio? Stuck working abroad at the minute.

[john1962]

From what I can find there is no radio coverage, only the blue bigots who are on the verge on going out.

[SheerLambRule]

back to 0-0

[Dunfermline Saint]

From what I can find there is no radio coverage, only the blue bigots who are on the verge on going out.

The SFA will have to do something to stop these teams qualifying for Europe, they are an embarrassment to Scottish football :rolleyes:

[sainteegraham]

what's going on? sportinglife.com has it as 2-0 stenny :-(

[dave mc]

Hopefully Queens can keep our co-efficient up l o l

[SheerLambRule]

they scored after 5 mins - it got disallowed. this 2nd goal is genuine

[sjm89]

1-0 now :(

[sainteegraham]

does this mean we're going to be league specialists this year?

[Broon]

Hopefully. You would have thought 'nearly' going 1-0 down would wake us up. Hopefully actually going 1-0 down will give us a kick up the arse.

Visions of the 4-0 drubbing at ochilview a 14 years ago - ouch.

[SJFC1988,]

sheerinho 1-1

[sainteegraham]

sheerin penalty - 1-1

[sjm89]

thank god hopfully said kick up the arse is in progress

[bankfootsaintee]

The SFA will have to do something to stop these teams qualifying for Europe, they are an embarrassment to Scottish football :rolleyes:

Won't need to worry about them anymore!!

[Saint.Justin]

They are an embarrassment to european football for scotland

[sainteegraham]

at least gordon can stop worrying about his place in the scotland team now :-)

[Saint.Justin]

at least gordon can stop worrying about his place in the scotland team now :-)

Indeed!

[sjm89]

Stenny goalscorer subbed just after he netted.

[Saint.Justin]

Stenny goalscorer subbed just after he netted.


Hahaha... weird...

Morton are up 4-0 away...
looking good for them.

[dave mc]

McLean caught him as he tried to save his effort,Leckie says it looks bad,he had a splint on.Also says we're well second best

[sjm89]

Hahaha... weird...

Morton are up 4-0 away...
looking good for them.


4-1 now big come back on???

[101 Saint]

McLean caught him as he tried to save his effort,Leckie says it looks bad,he had a splint on.Also says we're well second best

Radio Scotland?

[Saint.Justin]

McLean caught him as he tried to save his effort,Leckie says it looks bad,he had a splint on.Also says we're well second best

Nothing unusual there then...

[StDuncM]

4-1 now big come back on???

5-1 now. It will be some come back!

[Broon]

McLean caught him as he tried to save his effort,Leckie says it looks bad,he had a splint on.Also says we're well second best

Second best to a 3rd division side is not great. Hopefully a better second half to come.

[Saint.Justin]

Woww!

Nae joy for Derek Ferguson or his Bro tonight! :)

[RJ1980]

Daal has scored for County.

[dave mc]

Radio Scotland?

Aye,he gave a half-time summary

[StDuncM]

Big Kevin off (must have a gig) wee Davie Weatherston on. Is it 3 at the back now? Must be going for it.

[101 Saint]

Big Kevin off (must have a gig) wee Davie Weatherston on. Is it 3 at the back now? Must be going for it.

Big Kev or little Kev?!:?

[sjm89]

Big Kev or little Kev?!:?

kev rustybits off

[StDuncM]

Big Kev or little Kev?!:?

The one who sings and plays in a band!

[sjm89]

Partick 1-2 Forfar

[StDuncM]

Ex Saint Lillee puts the mighty Forfar ahead.

[101 Saint]

We could be shafted it this goes to extra-time. James surely can't last... We could be very vulnerable. He'll also suffer on Saturday, big gamble.

[StDuncM]

Did we not draw 1-1 against Stenhousemuir a good few years ago and get beat 4-0 in the replay, I hope this is not a case of deja vu, especially with Sturrock in the news.

Cant see it.

[sjm89]

Ex Saint Lillee puts the mighty Forfar ahead.

2-2 Gray

[Steve Maskrey]

I just love the way sky sports have got Saints lined up...Sheerin up front beside Peaso, Jacko on the left and Kevin James on the right wing!

Jacko off, Savo on

[StDuncM]

Steven Milne on for the the shadow that is Jackson.

[sjm89]

off Peaso on Holmes last subbie.

[StDuncM]

I think it is time to unleash Holmes from the start.

[theweesausage]

Notice Cuthberts in goal for Morton

[sjm89]

I think it is time to unleash Holmes from the start.

Think then the football becomes very predictable with a punt up to him almost all the time.

[StDuncM]

Notice Cuthberts in goal for Morton

Kev has his own thread.

[StDuncM]

Think then the football becomes very predictable with a punt up to him almost all the time.

We never said that when Deuchar was around and they are similar types of players.

[Broon]

3-1 Saints

[Aitchy]

BBC has us as winning 3-1, Savo and Homo scoring, is that right?

[perthsaint1884]

phew

[101 Saint]

the shadow that is Jackson.

Jacko is awesome, lay off the guy. He has proven himself by scoring 19 goals in a really crap team, often playing out of position in a stupid formation.He is committed, passionate, strong, brave and talented, he's what we need.

[StDuncM]

Milne and Holmes.

[dave mc]

3-1 Saints

Savo and Homer

[sjm89]

We never said that when Deuchar was around and they are similar types of players.

Deuchar was more of an all round player than Holmes. At Dingwall all to often the ball was played long where as against Livi it was kept on the deck and we got some joy out of that

[sjm89]

get in there

[O'Rourke]

I blink and we're 3:1 up!

Blinking marvellous!:)

[Ray Blair]

Thats more like it!

[Broon]

4-1 Holmes. Looks a wee bit better ;)

[john1962]

Jacko is awesome, lay off the guy. He has proven himself by scoring 19 goals in a really crap team, often playing out of position in a stupid formation.He is committed, passionate, strong, brave and talented, he's what we need.

Does Mooner know you are having an affair?

[StDuncM]

Jacko is awesome, lay off the guy. He has proven himself by scoring 19 goals in a really crap team, often playing out of position in a stupid formation.He is committed, passionate, strong, brave and talented, he's what we need.

Not picking on him at all. He is only young and slight so has a long way to go. I dont share your opinion that he has proven himself in a "really crap team". He is learning his trade in a team that is going places. 101 Saint you must be on the juice.

[Finners]

4-1 holmes

[Dunfermline Saint]

4-1, was never worried.........honest!

[Ray Blair]

That boy Holmes appears to be mince right enough!

[O'Rourke]

I think it is time to unleash Holmes from the start.

Take a bow dunc!

[sjm89]

Whens the draw for the next round??

[Steve Maskrey]

4-1 according to Sky. Sherlock again!

[Ray Blair]

Whens the draw for the next round??
about five minutes I was worried we wouldnt be in it!Keep the faith

[101 Saint]

4-1 Holmes. Looks a wee bit better ;)

Hope the score doesn't paper over any cracks. If the disallowed goal was fine, we've lost two goals to a weak, part-time bunch of amateurs whilst claiming we're gonna compete for a spot in the SPL!?

[O'Rourke]

Hope the score doesn't paper over any cracks. If the disallowed goal was fine, we've lost two goals to a weak, part-time bunch of amateurs whilst claiming we're gonna compete for a spot in the SPL!?

Is that you Victor?

[Broon]

Hope the score doesn't paper over any cracks. If the disallowed goal was fine, we've lost two goals to a weak, part-time bunch of amateurs whilst claiming we're gonna compete for a spot in the SPL!?

Away trips in the cup against lower league opposition are always tough. You need to grind out results and scoring 4 goals will be good for morale.

[perthsaint1884]

5-1 hardie

[Finners]

hooray

[Broon]

5-1 - jeezo. Never seen that coming.

[StDuncM]

Deuchar was more of an all round player than Holmes. At Dingwall all to often the ball was played long where as against Livi it was kept on the deck and we got some joy out of that

Rubbish! They are too similar to split, and as Derek is now with us and Deuchar took the easy option, i prefer DH.

[saint_markperth]

5-1 Mmm

[Steve Maskrey]

5-1 :D Hardie I think

[StDuncM]

5-1 - jeezo. Never seen that coming.

Nonsense!

[Ray Blair]

worried?me?never!!!Result of the round.Better than Mortons derby effort

[Southpaw]

Hope the score doesn't paper over any cracks. If the disallowed goal was fine, we've lost two goals to a weak, part-time bunch of amateurs whilst claiming we're gonna compete for a spot in the SPL!?

For Christ sakes.....

[101 Saint]

Not picking on him at all.
You called him a "shadow". I assume shadow of former self?
He is only young and slight so has a long way to go. He has bulked himself up very impressively.
I dont share your opinion that he has proven himself in a "really crap team".You thought we were good last season? Jacko got his place because we were scraping the bottom of the barrel. He came in and immediately proved he deserved a regular start. He has proven himself with 19 goals.
101 Saint you must be on the juice. Nescafe gold blend.

[Ray Blair]

For Christ sakes.....

Yup I thought that too.Never gonna eat another fish supper.See the Cat is leaking goals now

[rammsteinally]

5-3 now you're right much better than morton

[a monkey]

Hope the score doesn't paper over any cracks. If the disallowed goal was fine, we've lost two goals to a weak, part-time bunch of amateurs whilst claiming we're gonna compete for a spot in the SPL!?

too right, mcinnes must go!

this result in totally unacceptable ;)

[dave mc]

Full time,good recovery

[O'Rourke]

The fat lady sings! A good nights work or if you're 101 plenty to fret about!

[101 Saint]

For Christ sakes.....

Did we play well? Radio Scotland reckon we were second best for 60 minutes! I've missed the game due to work, hearing the score, we sound great; hearing the report, we sound gash. We've gotta keep a sense of perspective. If we were gash, Del has work to do; if we were great, happy days. All I was saying is let's not get carried away by a flattering score line.

My initial statement was let's not let a big score cover over the cracks of being outplayed by part-time weans who scored two(?) good goals. If their goals were flukey and we missed a hatful of chances there are no cracks.

[StDuncM]

You thought we were good last season? Jacko got his place because we were scraping the bottom of the barrel. He came in and immediately proved he deserved a regular start. He has proven himself with 19 goals.


We were good, not so good and very good. Not sure what you mean by scraping the bottom of the barrel. Yes he is good but his career is only just staretd.

[St Mikey]

Who cares if it was crap. We won.

I don't mind playing crap all season as long as it brings silverware and the league title.

[101 Saint]

We were good, not so good and very good. Not sure what you mean by scraping the bottom of the barrel. Yes he is good but his career is only just staretd.

The stats tell us we were crap last year and good in cup games.

We were desperate when we gave Jacko a start. Daal was ridiculed, Stewart was gash, Savo injured, Hardie out, Peaso (out?) and Deuchar was at Gretna. OC ran out of options and took a chance on Jacko. Boy am I glad he did. Agree, we don't know how good he will become; but 19 goals is not fluke. He is a great first division striker already.

[Southpaw]

Did we play well? Radio Scotland reckon we were second best for 60 minutes! I've missed the game due to work, hearing the score, we sound great; hearing the report, we sound gash. We've gotta keep a sense of perspective. If we were gash, Del has work to do; if we were great, happy days. All I was saying is let's not get carried away by a flattering score line.

My initial statement was let's not let a big score cover over the cracks of being outplayed by part-time weans who scored two(?) good goals. If their goals were flukey and we missed a hatful of chances there are no cracks.


My post related to your original post which was out of perspective...

[Dunfermline Saint]

Is it ten extra teams that enter at the next round?

If so, is the draw seeded and would we be one of the seeds?

[Coltrane]

That was a great result!! Well done Saints!!

[101 Saint]

My post related to your original post which was out of perspective...

I said "paper over any cracks" not "paper over THE cracks". I don't know if we had "cracks" tonight, because I couldn't attend. I don't want to hear about a glorious result if we played mince. Perspective is key. Sorry if my earlier post did not make this clear.

[blueheaven]

Fantastic result in what could have been a very tricky tie. This will also be a great confidence-booster for the team. Well done Saints!

[StDuncM]

That was a great result!! Well done Saints!!

Absolutely. All you can do is beat the opposition who are out to put one over you. Forget last year and the problems we had, This is the start we wanted.

[StDuncM]

'Tis a cracker at Partick!

[Cagey]

kev rustybits off

Looks like a brave move that turned the game. Either that or he was injured & no one on bench to cover in defence. I take it Sheerin moved to LB & Craig went to centre half.

[mainstand]

Did we play well? Radio Scotland reckon we were second best for 60 minutes! I've missed the game due to work, hearing the score, we sound great; hearing the report, we sound gash. We've gotta keep a sense of perspective. If we were gash, Del has work to do; if we were great, happy days. All I was saying is let's not get carried away by a flattering score line.

My initial statement was let's not let a big score cover over the cracks of being outplayed by part-time weans who scored two(?) good goals. If their goals were flukey and we missed a hatful of chances there are no cracks.

saint101's glass is always half empty and not half full!!!

Well for what iut is worth I think they managed to get better as the game went on. The passing and movement after the subs(Jacko and Peaso) went off was a lot better and 3 goals from teh two subs proves this. The chopped off goal was for a hands on shoulder climbing and the goal they got was a good goal and I suspect the lad that scored it got a bad one when he collided with the goalie. Overall a very satisfactory result.

Sorry to disappoint you 101 but I don't think the score papers over cracks, it simpley builds on the foundations that Del is laying.

[Emma]

Come on the Saints!

[Ray Blair]

Well said.I even think it was worth saying twice!!

[andrew]

4 goals in, what? 7 minutes.
Always was gonna be a tricky match. Job done. Not pretty for the most part.
Stenny started well and looked like they might give us a doing early on.
By the way, if you hear me shouting for 'Johnnie' its just cos Derek Holmes is the double of someone I know. In fact, he looks more like Johnnie than Johnnie does. So if you hear the shout 'Johnnie', just humour me and join in. :D

[101 Saint]

Well for what iut is worth I think they managed to get better as the game went on. The passing and movement after the subs(Jacko and Peaso) went off was a lot better and 3 goals from teh two subs proves this. The chopped off goal was for a hands on shoulder climbing and the goal they got was a good goal
Right, but how did we play? I offer no opinion because I've seen nothing of the game. You say we got better, did they initially outplay us (not acceptable) or were we always in control (hopefully)? Why did we lose the goal(s), great attacking play or sloppy defending? Overall mark out of ten for the team, based on 90 minutes?

[101 Saint]

4 goals in, what? 7 minutes.
Always was gonna be a tricky match. Job done. Not pretty for the most part.
Stenny started well and looked like they might give us a doing early on.
By the way, if you hear me shouting for 'Johnnie' its just cos Derek Holmes is the double of someone I know. In fact, he looks more like Johnnie than Johnnie does. So if you hear the shout 'Johnnie', just humour me and join in. :D
So, good or bad performance?

[Scobby_SJFC]

hmmm dodgy performance tonight, result flattered us, and was harsh on stenny who to be fair played a good game. Good luck to them this season!!

once we got the second goal, that put the wind up us. Holmes was outstanding when he came on, and must be a starter against Morton
Good finishing towards the end, but it took 70mins for us to get into stride.

[dunblanemike]

The saints fan who headed the long ball back onto the pitch needs to be signed up to do that every game - we scored 4 goals in less than 10 mins after his effort. Sign him up del!!

[Dunfermline Saint]

As my sis just told me, 11 goals shared between ourselves and Morton tonight. Get your cash on a 0-0 for Saturday!

[StDuncM]

Miller fans told me not to expect to much from Holmes, but I fancy him to be top scorer this season. Even before tonight.

[patsy]

get chris millar on the longest contract possible. the guy was superb tonight. and can somebody say to gary irvine what the f**k

[templeofsaints]

Didn't think we were too hot initially tonight but came good in the 2nd hald with Stenny having only one shot after the break. Midfield looked a bit slow initially but Swanks and Millar-time both played well and MMM and the Wiz came onto a better game.

Sorry 101, but Jacko was a shadow tonight - rarely won a ball (although service wasn't great) and struggled to beat his man. Peaso did slightly better but as it stands I'd drop Jacko for a few games.

Only other worry is I'm not sure if Rusty picked up a knock - he was replaced by Caff at half-time. Both he and James had been pretty solid in the first 45.

[Dev]

A comfortable win for us. Stenny worked hard but really didn't threaten at all, in fact I don't think they had a single shot on target while I was in the ground. That's because I thought it was a 7.45pm kick-off and I came in just after Stenny had taken the lead so I missed the early excitement.

I'm extremely pleased with the scoreline but I agree it definitely flatters us and does Stenny a disservice for all the hard work they put in. We were pretty laboured for long enough but Stenny weren't threatening and I always felt that once we got a goal ahead we would be comfortable.

I thought Savo looked great when he came on and he's really staked a claim for a starting spot at the weekend, as opposed to the poor performance from Jacko. I thought Liam Craig put in a good shift at left back and got forward whenever possible, providing a good outlet down the left. Gary Irvine blew hot and cold, he worked hard and did some great work at times but some of his decision-making was woeful! His attempted lob from 40 yards was completely the wrong decision and his greedy slash at the ball when a square pass to Peaso would have resulted in a goal was just appalling. I thought Sheerin and Millar were good in central midfield in the second half but could have done more to control the game earlier on.

Pleasing result though, hopefully we can put a run of results together and continue it at Morton on Saturday.

[Rodgers]

millar was amazing tonight, runs after everything and hes got a bit of pace which helps.
sheerin never made a mistake tonight and had the drive forward which was class!

i disagree with some people about gary irvine, okay he wasnt the best but still put in a decent shift!
the run he made in the second half when jacko played the ball into nowhere, he came out of nowhere and kept the ball in, that was brilliant!

good win, well done lads!

[chips for tea]

Im hearing its been confirmed their goal scorer has a broken leg (text from Stenny mucker i know) Im hoping hes got it wrong though,,it was good to see the saints fans giving the lad a round of applause as he was stretchered past.

[THE LARK SAINT]

Lost the first goal to a livley stenny side, and imo were fairly lucky to be even through sheerins pen at half time.Dont know if rusty bits took a knock or not but he was replaced by caff at half time (and not weatherstone as posted on here earlier)saints went for it in the second half and as stenny fell out of it a bit savo put us 2-1 up, holmes came of the bench and before you knew it he scored twice and we were 4-1 up, only one team in it now last 20 mins saints looked good and stenny had about 1 shot on goal in the half mmm put the iceing on the cake. Not a bad nights work , most of us new this was a bit of a bannana skin , tricky away tie(job done)we are in the next round and have scored five goals away from home, mclean came on to a good game,millar was superb(again) big kev strolled through the game(101)caff looked good 2half,mmm battled away the whole game, holmes took his two goals really well a great header, and finished really well from a great craig pass to shoot home.sheerin stood out too and took the pen well .good use of subs by del again WELL DONE SAINTS!!!got the team spot on tonight and for what its worth i think del will start the same 11 again v the muppet men depending if rusty is ok:):):)

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Even though we won 5-1 I think it,s still a case of must do better.First half was a bit of a non event for Saints.Stenny looked not bad , scored one and probably should have had another as the decision to rule it out was a wee bit harsh.We were not really in it but as seems to be the case these days we got a penalty( stonwaller this time) and Sheerin did what he usually does. 1-1 HT which flattered us a little.Second half was a different story with stenny rarely troubling the Saints defence but worryingly we lacked much in the way of end product and were reduced to howfing the ball up the park on more than one occasion.Jacko and Peaso were poor ,but the service was as much to blame as they were.Good on Del though as he realised it was not working well and with the introduction of Savo and Sherlock the whole shape of the team seemed to change.Swankie started to get more space on the left and Millar really came to life.Crash ,Bang ,Wallop...5-1.Great win in the end and the goals will surely boost team confidence.We must though, start playing right from the off, as better teams will have us dead and buried before HT.
All in all satisfactory ,and were in the next round which is all you can do.

Full marks to the boss and hopefully we might see Sherlock and Savo leading the line at Cappielow as they were mighty impressive in the short time they were on the pitch tonight,,:D

[SJFC1988,]

How did McLean perform?

[Dev]

How did McLean perform?

I missed the first fifteen minutes and the goal so I can't really comment on that but the rest of the game he was fine. Took a few crosses comfortably in the first half and had very little indeed to do in the second half.

[Jamie_Beatson]

I wouldn't say 1-1 flattered us at half time (based on the half hour i saw after missing the opening 15). Stenhousemuir did not have a single attempt on target after I was in the ground.

Penalty was a stonewaller, and we actually had another half decent shout when Jackson went down. He was going nowhere and it appeared that he knocked the ball past the defender who just stuck his leg out and Jacko went down. Probably the kind you'd get if you hadn't just had a penalty five minutes earlier.

I think a lot of people were getting very, very worked up as the second half wore on. It wasn't as if we were at 1-1 and they were having chances. For the first 15 minutes of the second half we didn't exactly do much but were never threatened ourselves, but for the following fifteen minutes we played some nice stuff and kept the ball really well. We were knocking the ball around nicely on the half way line with everyone moving and keeping possession and waiting for an opening while people screaming "get it ****ing forward" from the terracing.

At no stage did we look like we would concede a second goal, and we had a couple of chances that were spurned. One goal would always knock the stuffing out of Stenny, and when it came from Savo it was a fine effort. Nice header from a guy at the pie stall to bring it back in to play quickly, a throw in, a whipped in cross and a perfectly timed run and header that looped over the keeper and in off the post.

We got three more goal between then and the end, and it could have been more with the home side really struggling towards the end.

[ancientsaint]

How did McLean perform?


Mclean performed very well........Kevin James had a go at him early doors for not coming out to the edge of his box for a ball that James and Rusty were struggling to get -but i think the keeper was right,

Had no chance of the goal so wasnt to blame for that.

Saints struggled to play for periods on the synthetic surface - but were never really put under pressure in the second period and it wasnt till last 10 minutes that fitness levels showed throo.

Good result all in.


Wee "Stuart" fae "taggart" was there too !!!

[Dennistoun Saint]

Really good confidence booster for the lads last night (in terms of the scoreline). Savo was very impressive when he came on and I'd definitely have him in for Jackson at the weekend.
I agree with those who said 1-1 flattered us at the interval. We were very, very poor in the 1st half. Stenny might not have had many clear-cut chances but they looked so much livelier and up for it. Crosses into the box continue to be something of a worry for our defence too.
I thought Swankie was good too. He just needs to have the confidence to hit the byline a bit more often because when he does, he can put in some really good crosses. He looks a pretty classy player.
Most amusing moment of the night has to be when the Stenny keeper, going to retrieve the ball, turned to the Saints fans and gasped "I'm f**ked" in response to a cry of "get a move on keeper". The follow up of "you're really f**ked now keeper" after the 4th goal was equally funny!
And well played the guy in the hoody who headed the ball back into play!

[Noose76]

**** the 1st half performance, a 5-1 victory against anyone is a good result.

[Dennistoun Saint]

**** the 1st half performance, a 5-1 victory against anyone is a good result.

Ooh, someone's touchy this morning!
You're right of course. Great result and, as I said, should give us confidence. Just in case those who weren't there thought it was a stroll in the park, thought I'd point out how gash we were in the first half. But hey, if we can be that pish for 45 minutes and still win by 4 goals I'm a happy man!

[Noose76]

This 101 character is expecting 90 minutes of Real Madrid 1960's style football, and a 5-1 victory isn't quite upto scratch because we fannied about for the first 45 mins.

Morning Folks!

[Baldy Marc]

I agree that the surface played a part in the first half with a few of the guys getting beaten by the bounce a fair bit.

Also hear on the radio when we got back to the car that stenie dropped 8 first team players for the game and drafted in the kids !! The guy that scored the goal was causing some problems before he went off, has anyone heard how he is? I thought he went away in an ambulance?

[Scobby_SJFC]

Id love the ask Del, if our side is going to punt the ball up the park half the time why he wants to start with Jackson and Peaso who will win about 4 headers all game between them?

[mainstand]

Id love the ask Del, if our side is going to punt the ball up the park half the time why he wants to start with Jackson and Peaso who will win about 4 headers all game between them?

Because you can play the long ball over teh top of teh defender and let them turn the defence as well as playing it high. I don't think youcan accuse them of excessive use of teh high ball (punt?) last night.

[mainstand]

Also hear on the radio when we got back to the car that stenie dropped 8 first team players for the game and drafted in the kids !! The guy that scored the goal was causing some problems before he went off, has anyone heard how he is? I thought he went away in an ambulance?

If you compare last nights squad with teh squad taht played on Saturday there are only 3 players different.

[Scobby_SJFC]

Because you can play the long ball over teh top of teh defender and let them turn the defence as well as playing it high. I don't think youcan accuse them of excessive use of teh high ball (punt?) last night.

Personally I thought the long was used far too much to no effect what so ever, if we're playing that way we need holmes on the pitch
why are we punting the ball anyway, suely we should have had the footballers on the park to outclass a stenhousemuir side?

[stanley saint]

we won the game and scored a hand full of goals.....fact

[Rodgers]

Personally I thought the long was used far too much to no effect what so ever, if we're playing that way we need holmes on the pitch
why are we punting the ball anyway, suely we should have had the footballers on the park to outclass a stenhousemuir side?


i thought we played a bit of both last night, there loads of times the ball was punted up and jacko done well to get it down considering hes not the biggest lad going, thats where holmes would come in but the likes of sheerin, millar and swankie had really good games last night because they got the ball down and had it at their feet and played decent football.