#20 - 13/12/08 - Morton (h)

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

So then , whats the thoughts of the masses on this game. Will Del revert to 4-4-2 or stick with 4-3-3. ( or maybe bamboozle us with something completely different??) Again this will be a tough game. The Greenock minks have found a wee bit of form of late and will be carrying a bit of confidence.As for Saints, 3 draws on the spin aint exactally inspiring but the fact that in all these games we played pretty pish in large parts and still did not lose must count for something.So what needs to change this weekend to get us back to winning ways? I still wish we would play the ball on the deck more, as when we do, we seem to take teams apart. No news coming out of McD yet regarding any injuries. Caff, Rusty and Millar must be getting close to picking up a suspension, with 5 ,4 and 4 bookings respectively ..

If we are to take all 3 points , we must really improve the quality of the final ball when we are close to the opposition goal and I hope some work will be done on crosses in training this week. Our crossing is nothing short of shite at the moment. Far to often the ball doesn't beat the first man. I've asked this before but I will again. Can we PLEASE have a player on the front post when we have a corner and if the delivery is poor we may still be able to create something with flick ons or at least retaining possesion and being able to knock it back towards the corner taker so he can try and plant one on a Saintee head.One last thing. When we do cross the ball , far to often it's a lobbed , floating effort. Why can't we ping some crosses into the box with oodles of pace.Chances are if we don't get to it , one of the opposition might knock it in themselves...

Here's my effort at a team....

Main

Irvine, Caff, Rusty, Craig.

Swanks( for decent crosses) Morris, Hardie, Sheerin.

Sammy and Homer....

OH!!! i hear you cry, you can't drop Savo...Well I just did:shock:

Subs..Baldy, Savo, Mooner, Millar, Ando..

Injured Big Kev and McLean.

No place for ...Peaso, McKoy, Jacko, Morgan...

COME ON SAINTS.....

[CynicalSaintee]

Disagree with front two, but can't deny that this game is a MUST win.

Main
Irvine Caff Rusty Craig
Millar MMM Sheerin Swankie
Samuel Savo

Bench; Mooner, Morris, Sherlock, Ando, Hillcoat

EDIT; Wait, Mooner is injured?

[slf]

my mass thought mr ghost is get intae them muppets.protect millar he might get hastled and we'll fight them on the allweather pitch.up the saintees

[Havana Club Saintee]

Millar maybe an interesting one. Could play a blinder..... could be sent off before 60 mins! Hope he starts, been one of our best players so far this season.

Let's get behind the lads,

COME ON YE SAINTS

[101 Saint]

Main
Irvine Caff Rusty Craig
Millar MMM Sheerin Swankie
Samuel Savo

Possibly the finishing XI rather than starting...

[Mike180279]

Main,
Irvine, Caff, Rusty,Craig
Millar, MMM, Morris, Swankie (more likely he will go with sheerin)
Savo, Samuel

[brig saint]

this is my first post on here so go easy on me!
heres my sugestion for the starting 11

main
irvine caff rusty craig
miller morris hardie swankie
savo peaso

[Oldmuirton]

Main
Irvine Caff Rusty Craig
Swankie MMM Morris Sheerin
Savo Samuel

Millar has been outstanding this season but I think he has looked a bit jaded recently and maybe needs a rest. Likewise Holmes has been great but he's not paying off at the moment. Maybe this team can get back to playing the ball on the ground. If he gets some decent service, Samuels pace is awesome and hopefully Swankie and Sheerin can create more chances than we have lately.

[R.B.B:- Adz]

Millar has been outstanding this season but I think he has looked a bit jaded recently and maybe needs a rest.

I dont think Millar needs a rest i just think he needs to be back in his natural position but until Könönen arrives on January 1st i dont think we'll see much of that. With that in mind and realising we need more forward drive from the midfield i hope we will line up:

Main

Irvine Caff Dinky Craig

Millar MMM Jody Swankie

Sammy Savo

Hillcoat, Ando, Mooner, Sheerin, Holmes

[GeorgetheSaint]

You can drop who you want from your imaginary 11 ghost, cause you aint the manager, and you never will be with selections like that!!! ***

[perth_saintee12]

Indeed, nice to give others a chance now and again..

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

You can drop who you want from your imaginary 11 ghost, cause you aint the manager, and you never will be with selections like that!!! ***

Only time will tell Georgieboy, only time will tell.

You will most likely be right though....but then again:)

[Saline Saint]

Watched Morton beat Dunfermline a couple of weeks back,nothing got past Shimmin & Mcmanus in defence and Gallagher in the Pars goal kept it down to 1 nil.Got a feeling we will finaly pay for not having taken addvantage of previous weeks results else where and extended our lead by a lot more.0-1 to Morton.

[saintj]

i would like a bit of cohesion in the final 3rd
some creativety and some co-ordination between the forwards
sammy and savo up front
millar swapped for mooner

[Bruno Strasser]

Final ball has been atrocious - Irvine in particular. Would agree that we need to get things sorted in the final third of the pitch.

[sjfcsean]

I would hope he changes to a 4-4-2 with Sheerin coming back in to left midfield with Savo or Holmes making way.

[101 Saint]

Final ball has been atrocious - Irvine in particular. Would agree that we need to get things sorted in the final third of the pitch.

But Gaz is a full back, we shouldn't be relying on him to provide crosses.

I actually think folk are jumping on a bandwagon here. At Broadwood we lost Holmes and that gubbed our game plan, against the Dee we were fine first half and we hardly played a "final ball" in the second as we were drowning under waves of Scum attacks.

On Saturday, we looked like Saintee_)*)(_)(_Brian had control over team selection. Because we played a plethora of variations of 4-3-3, the midfield didn't know where to play their pass. Liam and Jody also had stinkers, so most corners was poor; nowt Del can do, just bad luck.

[R.B.B:- Adz]

101, we've only scored 3 goals in the last three games and we only have 3 points from the last three games. Its not bad luck, its a team that needs a spark. We're not playing badly, but we're just lacking an edge. Its not a bandwagon, its everyone noticing the same thing.... apart from you by the sounds of it.

And in reference to your reply to Bruno, it is gary irvine's job to supply the crosses in the system we play. We dont play with out and out wingers at the moment until January so we play with overlapping wingbacks, Irvine and Craig.

[Pablo]

Think 4-4-2 should be the preferred option. Del's idea was great, in that playing 3 up front against Queens should have got us some goals but clearly the opposite was true. With that in mind, I'm going with:

Main
Irvine - Caff - Rusty - Liam
Swankie - Millar - Hardie - Sheerin
Savo - Sherlock

Subs: Hillcoat, Ando, Jody, Mooner, Sammy.


Job done.

[geoff was right!!]

We've got to start with Sammy and Morris after the performances on Saturday and I would also bring back Sheerin.

Main
Irvine - Caff - Rusty - Craig
Millar - Morris - Hardie - Sheerin
Savo - Sammy

Subs: Hillcoat, Ando, Swankie, Mooner, Holmes.

[andrew]

Watched Morton beat Dunfermline a couple of weeks back,nothing got past Shimmin & Mcmanus in defence and Gallagher in the Pars goal kept it down to 1 nil.Got a feeling we will finaly pay for not having taken addvantage of previous weeks results else where and extended our lead by a lot more.0-1 to Morton.

I was there as well.
Dunfermline lumped high balls up, Morton played it on the ground and should've won by 3 or 4.
This is not going to be an easy game, and if they play like they did at EEP they are well capable of beating us.
I said a few weeks ago that our biggest threat this season could be ourselves. It does look that way, considering Clyde & QoS.
Come on Saints. It's ours to throw away!

[Cagey]

Have to agree with Bruno , Irvine hardly got the ball past the first man all game on Saturday.

It will be a hard game on Saturday as going on the last 4/5 games Morton would be top of the league.

I wouldn`t change the team too much but I think Millar has to be in central midfield as he is ineffective out right. I think Hardie might be better out right as he played more on the left on Saturday which I don`t think suited him. Probably Sheerin should be left mid` which would make the midfield. Hardie Millar Morris Sheerin.Homer & Savo up front together playing off each other as 3 up front didn`t wotk. Hard luck on Mooner & Sammy but it is a long season & I think they will get their chance.

[Perth-Saint]

Main

Irvine Ruti Caff Craig

Swankie Millar Hardie Sheerin

Milne Samuel

Subs: Hillcoat, Anderson, Morris, Holmes, MacDonald.

[R.B.B:- Adz]

I cant believe how many people are leaving Jody out of their starting line up. I dont understand it. If anyone is going to set us apart from the rest of this league, its him.

[Oldmuirton]

I cant believe how many people are leaving Jody out of their starting line up. I dont understand it. If anyone is going to set us apart from the rest of this league, its him.

Absolutely agree
Jody started showing glimpses of his class last Saturday and once he gets a bit more game time under his belt he will be an amazing asset.

[Jamie_Beatson]

Concur with the last two posts. Jody was excellent on Saturday - showing hunger, vision, good passing and a bit of leadership. He is starting to show what he is really made of and I for one am excited at what he will bring to the team in an extended run. Has to start IMO.

[silver_blue]

Good news is that with Morton's game being off on Saturday Weatherston in now suspended as he got sent of when the division's form team lost at Peterhead.

Saints to win and Chris Millar to get his elusive 1st goal.

[dan the saint]

Main

Irvine Ruti Caff Craig

Swankie Millar Hardie Sheerin

Milne Samuel

Subs: Hillcoat, Anderson, Morris, Holmes, MacDonald.


I am with u on this one.

[ancientsaint]

Be interesting to see what your best line ups will be when the new left back comes in in January !!

[Saline Saint]

Could it be some folk are looking through rose tinted Jody Morris specs we managed to get to the top of the table without him,can sombody tell me how many games we have won since he has appeared back on the team sheat.I know there must be presure on the manager to play the big name but has he brought him back too soon and should he have stuck with Sheerin for a bit longer?

[Jamie_Beatson]

Good point Saline, but I think there has been a general down turn in performance level and that isn't Jody's fault! He has looked a cut above IMO. I'd actually like to see him and Sheerin in the same team. Perhaps a midfield of:

Millar, Hardie, Morris, Sheerin.

I actually think we need to lose a game before we pick up again. Seems a crazy thing to say, but I seem to remember last season we drew a huge amount of games in a row, lost one, then started winning.

[Saline Saint]

Too many draws can be a killer and no prizes for who has accumulated the most,yip,us and Airdrie who are bottom.I dont want us to loose on saturday but I agree with Jamie in a strange way it could be whats needed to get things rolling again.

[Shaggy Jenkins]

As long as we go 4-4-2 and dont chop and change too much we should be fine. Last 3 games have seen to many un-needed changes when we have had the players to slot in on a one for one basis

[thewhorule2002]

Main
Irvine Rusty Caff Ando
Millar Morris Hardie Craig
Sammy Savo

I would leave Swankie, Sheerin and Holmes on the bench - all have the potential of coming on and changing the game though. Millar is wasted out on the right but I dont think he can be dropped and I think Hardie and Morris will work well in the middle.

I also think that Ando is a better left back than Craig, who is far better when coming forward from midfield.

[Macarius]

I really don't like this whole Craig at left back fiasco. Steven Anderson is a compotent defender especially a fullback. He's far more willing to drive forward than Irvine although maybe not as compotent a defender so I feel Ando and Craig up the left frank is worth a shot, especially against one of the weaker teams in the division.

Don't agree at all with millar being on the wing, he ain't a winger, he's a compotent central midfielder and should be played there with Hardie. That leaves a bit of a problem with right wing but I reckon Morris could do a job there given that Swankie seems doomed too not appear under Mcinnes. Honestly, I'd probably go 4-5-1 just so we can play Millar, Morris and Martin in the same game.

I think its about time to drop Holmes. Don't get me wrong he brings an element to the team that we are lacking otherwise but he just isn't a goalscorer. 2 goals in 16 appearances so far just isn't championship winning form and based on Samuells game against QotS he really deserves more run outs until he goes back into being a lazy ball watcher.

[JJacko8]

I really don't like this whole Craig at left back fiasco. Steven Anderson is a compotent defender especially a fullback. He's far more willing to drive forward than Irvine although maybe not as compotent a defender so I feel Ando and Craig up the left frank is worth a shot, especially against one of the weaker teams in the division.

Don't agree at all with millar being on the wing, he ain't a winger, he's a compotent central midfielder and should be played there with Hardie. That leaves a bit of a problem with right wing but I reckon Morris could do a job there given that Swankie seems doomed too not appear under Mcinnes. Honestly, I'd probably go 4-5-1 just so we can play Millar, Morris and Martin in the same game.

I think its about time to drop Holmes. Don't get me wrong he brings an element to the team that we are lacking otherwise but he just isn't a goalscorer. 2 goals in 16 appearances so far just isn't championship winning form and based on Samuells game against QotS he really deserves more run outs until he goes back into being a lazy ball watcher.

I agree that Craig would probably be better playing in midfield but you saw Ando at Dens in the second half when he almost gave away a goal if it wasn't for a good save by Alan Main, i like Ando think he is a good competant centre half but he has always got one potentially fatal mistake in him that can cost us games.

Morris isn't a winger or a right sided midfielder he's better in the middle with his vision along with Hardie who provides that bit of dig and agression to bully the oposition (teams that have gone up before had a player like this), and Millar needs to play so the right side of midfield is the only option and when he plays there it isn't as a winger (I agree with someone who said this before).

Also i think with Homer he's more of a provider or goals with his areal ability and holding up ability, and if the ball is there to be put away he can do it, unfortunately he hasn't had many chances this season because he's usually helping to set up Savo.


I would go with;

Main

Irvine Rutkiewicz McCaffrey Craig

Millar Hardie Morris Sheerin

Savo Holmes

Mon the saints lets get back to winning ways!

[soulfulsaint]

I would go with;

Main

Irvine Rutkiewicz McCaffrey Craig

Millar Hardie Morris Sheerin

Savo Holmes

Mon the saints lets get back to winning ways!

Me too we always look better with Sheerin and Craig overlapping gives us real
strength on the left. I'd agree with a previous poster that Millar needs a rest but not for this one, old club, much to prove, so think we'll get a game out of him.

2-0 Saints then world shut your mouth.

[Radford 72]

I agree that Craig would probably be better playing in midfield but you saw Ando at Dens in the second half when he almost gave away a goal if it wasn't for a good save by Alan Main, i like Ando think he is a good competant centre half but he has always got one potentially fatal mistake in him that can cost us games.

Morris isn't a winger or a right sided midfielder he's better in the middle with his vision along with Hardie who provides that bit of dig and agression to bully the oposition (teams that have gone up before had a player like this), and Millar needs to play so the right side of midfield is the only option and when he plays there it isn't as a winger (I agree with someone who said this before).

Also i think with Homer he's more of a provider or goals with his areal ability and holding up ability, and if the ball is there to be put away he can do it, unfortunately he hasn't had many chances this season because he's usually helping to set up Savo.


I would go with;

Main

Irvine Rutkiewicz McCaffrey Craig

Millar Hardie Morris Sheerin

Savo Holmes

Mon the saints lets get back to winning ways!
Great post. Agree with virtually everything you've said there. Morris needs a few games to get up to speed, it's just something we need to accept. I'm not convinced his style is totally suited to this league (I think he'll look a far better player if we get promoted) but he's still a guy that will play every week if fit and Hardie compliments him well. Millar, like you say, has to play but that means it's on the right of midfield. He's played there for us plenty already, so I'm not sure where the sudden thing about him not being a right midfielder has come from.

If others are scoring goals, Holmes own return isn't important, much like Peaso's wasn't when he partnered Jason a couple of years ago. Saturday was the first time we've failed to score since August, so the Savo and Holmes partnership is clearly working. Samuel is definitely making a good case for himself though.

Back four picks itself at the moment. They've played the full 90 minutes together on five occasions and we've lost one goal in that time.

[saintj]

why are a few people saying millar canny play out wide then stick him down out wide on the teamsheet, after his 2nd half at dens i would have swankie out wide with jody, millar and hardie in the central area with sheerin out wide and sammy up front, defense should stay the same

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Anyone got any news on how the pitch is holding up after the midweek frosts and the snow and rain this morning. I would suspect it will be fine but as I have not seen it I would like some confirmation.. Cheers..

[saintee4life]

if millar cant play wide then why not swap him for mooner and he either replaces hardie or is benched and comes on in central midfield. for me its the bench, he has an incredible workrate but his passing is to negative,as in its nearly always backward and his shooting is crap

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

if millar cant play wide then why not swap him for mooner and he either replaces hardie or is benched and comes on in central midfield. for me its the bench, he has an incredible workrate but his passing is to negative,as in its nearly always backward and his shooting is crap

Do you mean Millar????

[saintee4life]

yes ghost chris millar

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

yes ghost chris millar

I don't want to come across as a person who cannot accept someone elses opinion......But your fecking nuts......Absolutely stark raving bonkers

http://www.snakeriver1.org/SRSDJeff/Graphics/Copy%20of%20madman.png

[saintee4life]

so you think his shooting is good then? an all to often he turns in a circle an passes back an the momentum of the move is lost

[sjfc_camo]

yes his shooting isn't the best but for me he does his best work in the middle of the pitch not in the final third

[saintee4life]

his workrate is brilliant i just think his distribution of the ball could be better

[R.B.B:- Adz]

so you think his shooting is good then? an all to often he turns in a circle an passes back an the momentum of the move is lost

Its called changing direction and opening the game up! something we have lacked for about 3 seasons.

[saintee4life]

constructive passing,if it was being constructive but not turning round and knocking it back to your defenders most of the time

[saintj]

nothing wrong with playing keep ball, imo we should do it more often, play patiently and pick our passes along the ground

we definately can play on the deck just dont do it often enough

[saintee4life]

nothing wrong with playing keep ball, imo we should do it more often, play patiently and pick our passes along the ground

we definately can play on the deck just dont do it often enoughi agree wi that. wot am sayin is he doesnt hurt the opposition often enough with defence splittin passes,an when he gets into good positions to score his shootins weak. I to think he would benefit playin in the middle alongside jody, i think it would suit his all-action style.

[silver_blue]

What's the weather like in the frozen East ? Is the game safe ?

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

It's not overly cold but it's a bit wet....Forecasts looking not bad...I'll go out on a limb here and say , " Safe as houses"

[sjm89]

It's not overly cold but it's a bit wet....Forecasts looking not bad...I'll go out on a limb here and say , " Safe as houses"



That will be it jinxed then ;).

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

That will be it jinxed then ;).

What you try to say....:laugh:

[silver_blue]

What you try to say....:laugh:

Off to Alfredos in W Nile St for a pint and a slice roll then the 10.40 to Perth.

We'd better win as for today's trip I'm travelling with three Morton fans !

[Ginger Bakers rebel army]

Lets make as much racket as we can and get right behind the team from the off. We need to get back to winning ways to keep us ahead of the game.

COME ON YE SAINTS

[sjm89]

What you try to say....:laugh:


That a lightbulb in the scoreboard just blew so its off :).

[perth_saintee12]

Yip hopefully we can get back to winning ways today...MON THE SAINTS!!!!

[St Mikey]

It's not overly cold but it's a bit wet....Forecasts looking not bad...I'll go out on a limb here and say , " Safe as houses"


Is that like "safe as lego houses in Dundee" ?!?!?! hehehehe

3points a must today. Hopefully QoS either win or draw v Dunfy and we get our rewards with a win. Make this gap at the top as large as we can before January.

[O'Rourke]

Any chance of a wee "Ginger Baker's Blue and White Army?"

2-0 Saints to get our title winning run back on track! :)

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

COME ON YOU SAINTS!

[CynicalSaintee]

Can't make it, irritatingly. Some twat sped and skidded into my dad's car, writing it off, last weekend, so he's in the capital getting a new one this weekend. I guess it's better for my health that I don't go, anyway.

Cooooooome ooooooooon yoooouuuu Saaaaaiiiiinnnnts!

[california_saintee]

Team from Sky:

Main
Irvine Rusty Caff Craig
Millar MMM Jody Sheerin
Savo Sammy

Subs: Ando, Moon, Holmes, Peaso, Hillcoat

[SingaporeSaint]

Singapore tuned in for the afternoon. 'Mon Saints.

[CynicalSaintee]

Pretty much exactly the team I expected. If they play anything near to potential, we should slaughter Morton.

Not to count my chickens, of course.

Also, finally get a chance to see how well Sammy/Savo work together up front for a full 90.

(Live scores; http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/live_scores/default.stm)

[SingaporeSaint]

Tight league or what, 5 draws after 30 mins

[CynicalSaintee]

Regardless of the league being tight or not, a team like Morton is a team we should be beating without worries. Too many draws, again, could cost us.

[O'Rourke]

Surely someone will lob the Cat?

We simply have to win this game, nothing else will do!

[geoff was right!!]

sounds like a really poor game, only one chance for each team so far

[ryangordon86]

Doris scores for Arbroath... Our Doris?

[geoff was right!!]

Doris scores for Arbroath... Our Doris?

You should be working!

[CynicalSaintee]

Yep. Our Doris is out on loan to them.

[SingaporeSaint]

Saints presently heading the division by 5 points, not such a bad position

[geoff was right!!]

according to the radio, Morton are the better team

[california_saintee]

ht 0-0

[SingaporeSaint]

HT yet ?

[Saint1981]

All games level at HT.... lets see how good a manger McInnes is and get the team fired up for a victory in the 2nd half.

[CynicalSaintee]

3 points are a must. Swankie time? Maybe Mooner?

[HertsSaintee]

Morton have probably edged the 1st half in what is a pretty poor game tbh. Saints continue to be lacklustre and are playing with very little energy - a situation we have to address if we have designs on the title. Kick up the arse at ht please Del.

[SingaporeSaint]

according to the radio, Morton are the better team

How depressing

[ryangordon86]

You should be working!

I am!!!

[Saint1981]

Dont think Swankie is even on the bench!

[geoff was right!!]

3 points are a must. Swankie time? Maybe Mooner?

Swankie isn't in the squad today

[CynicalSaintee]

Swankie isn't in the squad today

Dang. Usually he's always there-or-there abouts for home games.

[CynicalSaintee]

Morton have probably edged the 1st half in what is a pretty poor game tbh. Saints continue to be lacklustre and are playing with very little energy - a situation we have to address if we have designs on the title. Kick up the arse at ht please Del.

So far this season, we've almost always come out much better in the second half at home (with the exception of Dunfermline). WE also have a habit of scoring late goals, so, hopefully...

[ryangordon86]

totally off topic but Sunderland winning 4 (FOUR!!) vs 0 West Brom!

[geoff was right!!]

sounds like we're on top at the start of this half but only creating half chances

[california_saintee]

Is it just my imagination, or has the dip in our performances and results coincided with Jody coming back into the starting XI?

[ryangordon86]

Is it just my imagination, or has the dip in our performances and results coincided with Jody coming back into the starting XI?

maybe a little unfair I think. Jody's a class act on the park and i personally dont think our performances have been that great overall. We've been grinding through games rather than strolling.

[a monkey]

Is it just my imagination, or has the dip in our performances and results coincided with Jody coming back into the starting XI?

Del's been tinkering too I think which hasn't helped.

He came out and said something about the fact that he doesn't agree with the statement "you shouldn't change a winning team".

This little 'dip' seems to have happened since then imo.

[geoff was right!!]

Is it just my imagination, or has the dip in our performances and results coincided with Jody coming back into the starting XI?

I thought Jody was our best player last week, just too many others not performing well enough.

[scotty gordon]

come on saints this is crap we need too WIN

[Finners]

c'mon saints lets get a ****ing win

[R.B.B:- Adz]

Is it just my imagination, or has the dip in our performances and results coincided with Jody coming back into the starting XI?

I think it can indeed been traced back to Jodys return in so much as that Chris Millar has been moved out to the right. When he is wide we lack a forward drive from the middle of the park and his 90 mins of energy in the centre of the park.

Cant leave a guy of Jody's ability out though! He is class for this league..

[Finners]

*** clyde 1-0 dundee

willie mclaren

[saint sid]

1-0 clyde ha ha

[geoff was right!!]

Holmes is on for Miller. and clyde 1 up on Sumdee

[ryangordon86]

clyde down to 10 men

[scotty gordon]

Livi 3 1 Up

[a monkey]

shite game according to the radio.

come on saints.

doesn't need to be pretty...just give us a goal!

[ryangordon86]

why do we seem to be having such problems scoring at the moment??

[geoff was right!!]

peaso on for savo

[Finners]

another 0-0 i bet, this cant continue.... typical saints

[R.B.B:- Adz]

Darren Young..... what a tube

[geoff was right!!]

3 mins to go

[Finners]

Yasssssssssssssssssssssssss

RUSTY BITS

[geoff was right!!]

saints goal yes

[a monkey]

phew!

[california_saintee]

Goal for saints! Rusty!

[geoff was right!!]

rusty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Johnstoun]

Yaaaaaaasssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[Tranmere Saintee]

Phew - thanks Rusti

[R.B.B:- Adz]

get in!!!!!!

[scotty gordon]

Thank Fcuk

[saint sid]

yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeesssssssssssssssssssss ssssssssssss

[Moray Blue]

ya beauty Rusty!

[geoff was right!!]

pars just scored

[Finners]

dunfy scored :(

[Finners]

Yassssssssss Full Time

[geoff was right!!]

full time 1-0

[scotty gordon]

Thank Funk 4 That

[Moray Blue]

great game - cant see what all the fuss was about ;)

[saint sid]

scum are 1 point away from a relegation place ha ha! plenty derbys for them next season I hope:-)

[CynicalSaintee]

I'm probably not the only Saints fan saying this but...


....Thank **** for that.

Rusty doesn't score often, but my word have his goals been important this season. And we're back to winning ways, with 12 games unbeaten. Happy days, but I think I need a pint after that!

[SingaporeSaint]

Geez, left it late.

[ryangordon86]

nice, disappeared for a tea break with a few mins to go at 0-0!

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

That was a pretty poor game but I don't give a ****. Three points and great relief among the Saints fans.A draw would have been a fair result as Morton were the better of the sides in the first half and we were on top in the second. But it wasn't a draw.Yeeeehaaaaaaaaaa...Performance wise, we struggled again to break a side down and there were a few poor individual performances but I'm not going to bother going into them. Others will do that.

We got ourselves out of a hole at the end....Not vintage by any means but I'll take it....


Dundee f.c. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA and did I say HAHAHAHA

[saintee4life]

just back from the game,hard fought victory but far from convincing display. Out muscled by a strong morton side. Midfield needs a overhaul,hardie just going through the motions and millar not too good either, both subbed.

[SJC]

Very important win, however when I saw Sheerins number going up when Holmes was coming on I almost fainted!

Savo was poor today, should have been hooked at half time for Holmes

Morris was awful, if standing in the centre circle and pointing made an impact he would be the best player in the world, he offers nothing at all, we would be better off playing Swankie out on the wing with Miller and Hardie in the middle

I heard that Dunfermline scored while the Queens keeper was down with a serious injury, now, do you think if we scored in that situation the goal would stand? Not a change

Every throw in McGuffie took was a foul as he had at least one foot on the pitch, noth linesman and the ref has absolutely no interest in giving us anything today

Get it up ye Davie Irons, hope Jim Weirs there to deck ye again!

[saintee4life]

how can you say morris was awful? barely wasted a pass. hardie and millar done next to nothing

[SJC]

how can you say morris was awful? barely wasted a pass. hardie and millar done next to nothing

I though Mark Reily was back in the team for a moment

He made no positive impact at all on the game, didn't run at all and shouted at the rest of the team constantly

Waste of space he is, since he's been back in the team the creativity has completely disapeared

Hardie was clearly injured after a shocking challenge and Miller is completely wasted out on the wing- he is a quality player so should be in the middle of the park

Morris has not done a thing for the club

The best midfield is Sheerin Hardie Miller and Swankie

[Dennistoun Saint]

I heard that Dunfermline scored while the Queens keeper was down with a serious injury, now, do you think if we scored in that situation the goal would stand? Not a change

Every throw in McGuffie took was a foul as he had at least one foot on the pitch, noth linesman and the ref has absolutely no interest in giving us anything today

Get it up ye Davie Irons, hope Jim Weirs there to deck ye again!With that kind of paranoia I'm amazed you're not a Celtic fan.

[Dennistoun Saint]

Morris has not done a thing for the club



Absolute nonsense. Admittedly he's finding it tough to get back from injury this year but he made a real difference after his arrival last year. He can win the ball, pick a pass and most importantly his ball retention is normally excellent.

[101 Saint]

Champions elect. League victors win games like that.

[SJC]

Absolute nonsense. Admittedly he's finding it tough to get back from injury this year but he made a real difference after his arrival last year. He can win the ball, pick a pass and most importantly his ball retention is normally excellent.

Absolute drivel, what difference did he make last year?

We were mid table when he arrived and finished in the same position

[saintee4life]

I though Mark Reily was back in the team for a moment

He made no positive impact at all on the game, didn't run at all and shouted at the rest of the team constantly

Waste of space he is, since he's been back in the team the creativity has completely disapeared

Hardie was clearly injured after a shocking challenge and Miller is completely wasted out on the wing- he is a quality player so should be in the middle of the park

Morris has not done a thing for the club

The best midfield is Sheerin Hardie Miller and Swankie

sheerin good football player..............too slow......hardie too slow not interested.......... millar jury still out but should be able too play anywhere......swankie bit of a luxury player and today wouldnt have suited him at all coz he cant battle.

as for jody morris class above the rest and when fully fit that will be shown

[saintee4life]

Absolute nonsense. Admittedly he's finding it tough to get back from injury this year but he made a real difference after his arrival last year. He can win the ball, pick a pass and most importantly his ball retention is normally excellent.

spot on

[Rodgers]

just back from the game and im not a happy bunny, ok we won, course im pleased, its a win but looking at the game as a whole. thats two weeks in a row, we're not looking like a good team anymore. its just stupid things that are causing these problems.

keeper and the defence is looking really good, looking confident.

chris millar has been out best player this season so far however today and the QOS game he has been gash, getting subbed today and im sure he got subbed off last game. CHRIS MILLAR IS NOT A RIGHT MID!!!

jody played well today, but sometimes can slow the game down to much.

martin hardie, hes a ****ing woman atm! always on the ground, he causes more hassel for us than the other team.

and for **** sake, if your going to play the long ball, stop playing it up the middle, you will never win it unless you have homes on but even then its just a waste

we could be such a better team, we've got the players to play football, why dont we do it :evil:



was funny how police told us to sit down after we score the goal - ****ing joke as per

[saintee4life]

liam craig should be in left midfield,the quicker the better. anderson at left back

[101 Saint]

Some folk on here should be forced to read their posts on a Wednesday morning or whenever the emotion dissipates. Anyone being critical of Morris should go and buy an Old Firm season ticket and phone Jim Traynor.

[Rodgers]

Morris has not done a thing for the club

The best midfield is Sheerin Hardie Miller and Swankie

craig jody millar swankie


jody has been good for us, done good today!

[Ali91]

OK we didn't play well today but it is hard when a team comes to sit in and play on the break. It's about time we had a late winner.
SJC you don't half talk a lot of nonsense. Jody was good today. He is a calming influence and we need a player who can retain the ball with ease.

[mainstand]

Get used to these sort of matches. Saints are the team to fear in the league at the moment and teams will come to us to get anything they can. Morton and QoS have both played 10 men behind the ball and try and hit us on the break.

We need patience and we need to try and draw the team out there is no good getting on their backs when they try and play posession football. Having Jody there as teh playmaker slowing it down and directing traffic is what we need.

Overall pleased with the performance and very pleased with the result.

[SJC]

OK we didn't play well today but it is hard when a team comes to sit in and play on the break. It's about time we had a late winner.
SJC you don't half talk a lot of nonsense. Jody was good today. He is a calming influence and we need a player who can retain the ball with ease.

He's great at retaining the ball because he gets it in his own half where no opposition player will challenge him as he is not a threat

He did nothing today, his corners and delivery were awful- Liam Craig certainly knows how to take a corner and we scored from it

[slf]

braw the muppets are a strong side .we still got the 3 points though yabadabadooooooooo

[SaintSam1884]

I don't think the performance was acceptable but to gain three points and a clean sheet from it is an achievement in itself. Morton are a big, physical team who bullied us for the entire game today and I felt we really struggled to match their physicality. This was the sort of game Holmes would have been better suited to as he can stand his ground in a way that Milne and Samuel can't although the latter came in for some really rough treatment that shouldn't have gone unpunished.

To throw on another striker at the expense of a midfielder reducing an already struggling midfield to three men wasn't a decision that I agreed with and could easily have gone against us. It didn't, but how much of that was down to luck as opposed to judgement? While we remain unbeaten, keep clean sheets and pick up three points it's always going to be difficult to criticise the players or the manager but an element of entertainment has to come into play at some stage. There were a number of poor performances from Saints players today. The full backs did not cope with the threat Morton possess down the flanks, the pace of the game outwitted Sheerin and Hardie struggled in the middle. The centre halves were outstanding though and Samuels threat was only nullified by a series of heavy fouls that were ignored by the referee. Morris also had a good game in the centre of midfield.

I don't necessarily agree that Morton came to Perth with a view to draw the game either. I thought they got forward much more than we did but ultimately the lack of decent strikers was their downfall. They closed us down and harrassed us for the entire game, that's not the same as simply standing a wall of ten or eleven men behind the ball in the way that maybe Queens did the week before. They also didn't waste time when the game was still at 0-0 in the way Queens did the week before.

Overall, I'm a bit on the fence with this one. I am happy to have won the game but I am not happy with the way several players played and am slightly concerned that both McInnes and the players have lost the concept of simplicity. We made it as hard for ourselves as Morton made it for us.

[Saintly Child]

Thought we were piss poor today, why play our best player wide right when he can't. Millar is the best creative midfielder in the league but we play him out of the game.
Savo looks tired and needs a rest for a week or so, Peaso looks hungry for a start.
They seem to have lost there fight they had and it will eventually cost them unless they address the problems now.

[saint_markperth]

I don't usually comment of players perfomances but Samuel was ****ing rank - can we send him to ICT for free

[Ali91]

I don't usually comment of players perfomances but Samuel was ****ing rank - can we send him to ICT for free

He really wasn't. He looked like our biggest threat today imo.

[slf]

I don't usually comment of players perfomances but Samuel was ****ing rank - can we send him to ICT for free

rubbish

[SJC]

I don't usually comment of players perfomances but Samuel was ****ing rank - can we send him to ICT for free

Do you know who Samuel is? He's the black guy

He played well today and looked threatening, the only player who managed to beat a man today

[saint_markperth]

when did he look like he was doing anything - not chasing anything down, not running onto balls, putting passes out the park - maybe thats what we are looking for but i dont think that is good play

[duncan08]

To throw on another striker at the expense of a midfielder reducing an already struggling midfield to three men wasn't a decision that I agreed with and could easily have gone against us.

but sammy did drop back to midfield didnt he? from where i was sitting it looked like he was a lot deeper than savo/peaso and sherlock

[R.B.B:- Adz]

Think we need to patient. A few changes being made to the team after things went stale. We're picking up points while playing badly, never a bad thing i think you'd all agree. Have patience, we cant expect to play well, play nice football or even win every week but with the players we have, it wont be long before our quality shines through. Todays performance doesnt concern me for the future. Sammy came in and done well, and other guys are picking up fitness while we're winning. All positives from my point of view.

[soulfulsaint]

keeper and the defence is looking really good, looking confident.




Proof that we were all wrong earlier in the season then. That was a great win today - ugly, maybe even lucky but no one can beat us, and sooner or later our superior strike force have to click. We haven't had many games where all areas of the team have showed up and yet we are top of the league (and there no). Well done Saints. Happy boy.

[perth_saintee12]

We got lucky, plain and simple, was only worthy of a 0-0 did not deserve to win. Ruti was my man of the match, morris looked like he was sleeping in the first half he has been pants and done nothing for us this season.

We need to start playing better if we want promotion the majority of the team was disappointing one of the poorest performances of the season. Good to get the 3 points an important win none the less. We need to pick up the pace and start performing better.

[templeofsaints]

Too many high balls and too many played down the left where Sheerin was caught for pace. The height of the Ton side went against us and with Hardie and Millar off-form we struggled at times.

Thought Morris was excellent and game onto a good game - he might slow the game down but he doesn't waste a pass. Savo did well but he and Sammy didn't link well and had sod all support from midfield (and protection from the ref). Defensively we were almost sound - Irvine was poor against McAllister.

If we can play like that though and grind out the win that will get us the title - just look at how Accies did it last year.

[sainteesrule]

Sammy was the only player that tried to take on his man, fair play to him. We looked most dangerous whenever Irvine managed to get it out wide to Sammy, unfortunately it wasnt nearly often enough. Sammy picked up quite a few second balls also when he dropped into midfield. The best move of the match was when Mooner brought it down slipped Peaso in and Sammy forced the corner - which we scored off. To say send him to ICT for free is pish! Awa n watch the X-Factor!

Lucky to win today. We cant keep hoping to win these sorts of games, we need to play to win.

[Super Sammy Johnston]

SJC were you actually at the game today??

How can you think Jody did not play well and also that Sammy was our main threat??

Saints were piss poor going forward today. But I thought Morris was one of our better players.

Sammy couldnae hit a coo on the arse wi a banjo today even if he played all night.

It was a poor performance all round, but you know what who cares WE WON!!!

[saintj]

yes sammy dropped to midfield albeit grudgingly by the look of him :)

sammy was our biggest threat without a doubt, was unlucky not to score and got kicked all over the park, open your eyes saint markperth and try watching samuel

pretty gash performance and were lucky to hang on, main missed a couple the day and nearly cost us big time

millar is rank on the wing, swankie on the wing is needed for some creativety and at the very least to try and take his man on, jody has yet to make any sort of impact and hardie looks like bottling everything now, thought he was the big bad ass of the team, would replace jody with millar and hardy with moon

sammy won more in the air than holmes did so i would stick peaso and sammy up front, milne appears to have dipped in form

there was also very little movement in the morton half of the pitch and very rarely was there an easy forward pass to play, the team needs to work alot harder in trying to make space for each other

also people are saying we need to be patient which is fair enough but a number of times when we passed it along the back line waiting for some forward movement some of the crowd were screaming to get it forward

we cant play it forward without punting it if there is no movement in front of the defense

[thewhorule2002]

Not a vintage performance but a win nonetheless, still undefeated and still top of the league.

Critiscm of Morris and Sammy is shocking and these people obviously weren't at the same game.

Great feeling when a last minute goal goes in, nearly taken away by that goalmouth scramble at our end right after!

[Pablo]

He's great at retaining the ball because he gets it in his own half where no opposition player will challenge him as he is not a threat

He did nothing today, his corners and delivery were awful- Liam Craig certainly knows how to take a corner and we scored from it

I'm with you on this. Seems that Jody, although not our worst player by any means, is getting a game based on who is rather than what he contributes. Very rarely, if ever, was there a forward pass today. I can't help thinking that at least had Swankie been playing wide then we would have had much better delivery to the forwards.

The win is all that matters at the end of the day.

[THE REBEL SAINT]

whats this with the short corners they never work, one off the few we put in the box we score , get your act together get the ball in the danger area

[Brian Potter]

I think Morris had a poor game today, but Im going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he needs games!

Im putting the teams poor performance down to the weather! Was suprised at how bad everyone played today, Morton were shit and we played at their level for too long!

On a positive note Im glad Del isn't scared to change formation half way through a game if things are not working! I admire that in a manager as they are often too stubborn to mix things up!

[monkfish]

Morris had a great game today, I think people are saying he had a bad game because they expect him to get forward, but that's not his style. That's supposedly Hardie's role, which he didn't manage today. Should of been hooked for Mooner earlier IMO.

[sjfcsean]

The annoying thing is at times today there were many occasions where he could have passed forward but he slowed down and passed back.

[ancientsaint]

Surprised Tayside polis havent locked St.Johnstone FC up....3 pts stolen.......But its 3 pts more in a game we never looked like winning.....worst game ive seen this year so far.....Wake up call needed.

[StDuncM]

Exiled here in South Yorkshire I have read every post from those at the game and as a result I am totally confused. Every post appears to contradict the previous one. It's all about your interpretation of the beautiful game, and it doesn't matter whether you played the game or not. Morris was a class player said quite a few, and others clearly thought he was hopeless and did nothing. Much the same has been said about other players.

I prefer to look at the table, the other results and remind myself how we started the season.

Win ugly - 3 points or capitulate like were doing early doors.

I know which I prefer and thanks to all posters returning from the game. I have replaced my confusion with contentment!

[sjm89]

Morris is a class above at what he is instructed to do which is play deep and dictate the game.

As for the game i just didn't see a goal coming after Sammys chance early in the second but boy am i glad we did. Thats the sort of game in previous years we would have dropped points.


Special mention to Rusty who was outstanding today and capped a fine performance with a Captains goal.

[Mike180279]

I thought today was the worse that we have played since partick thistle away. However the signs are good, if we can play that bad and still win, well I know its a cliche, but that is what is required of the champions.

Bit gutted dunfermline got a late winner, only just found out now. Dont know what the Tannoy annouced but I didnt hear it......

Jody seems to be getting a bit of flack, for me only Ruti had a better game. Where was our width? There was not a lot on for him. He may not have put much forward but did not waste anything and got stuck in when needed.

Hardie wasnt up to the usual standards, but I think he was not 100% after the kick he took in the 1st half so will give him the benefit of the doubt.

Sammy looked strong, got kicked about a bit and put in a good shift.

Savo was too annoymus for me, he may be left out next week.

Irvine/Millar had another poor game working the right together. Something needs changed here.

Still, we won, another 3 points in the bag, dundee are surely out of it now. Looking forward to Airdrie.

[sjfcsean]

Position, Team, Played, Points.
1.St Johnstone 17 32
2.Dunfermline 16 27
3.Partick 16 26
4.Livingston 16 25
5.Queen of South 17 22
6.Ross County 16 22
7.Dundee 16 20
8.Morton 16 19
9.Clyde 16 19
10.Airdrie Utd 16 14

I personally don't consider them out of it, well yet anyway. Although they would really need to go on a very good run.

[duncan08]

nobody is ever out of it at this stage of season




except dundee :p

nah everyone needs one good run 5-6 games and they could be right back up
there

[Mike180279]

Not at this stage of the season, for a team say in dundee's position it would take a hell of a lot to get to the top stop. Admittedly they could catch us but for that to happen you couldnt see alll the teams drawing every week.....

[Ginger Bakers rebel army]

Morris had a great game today, I think people are saying he had a bad game because they expect him to get forward, but that's not his style. That's supposedly Hardie's role, which he didn't manage today. Should of been hooked for Mooner earlier IMO.

Monkfish , I am with you on this one. Morris covered twice the ground Mental and Sheerio did today and the first half goal line clearance was absoloute perfection.

What troubles me is we seem to be going backwards to not knowing what our best formation is. We played the biggest team in the division (height wise)and left our largest player on the bench . We looked much more effective when Homer came on.

The left back position has haunted us all year , Liam is wasted there but has done a fantistic shift in scraficing what could have been a Liam in the window to stardom season. I cant wait to see Liam in midfield along side a very classy Jodi and very talented Millar , I think the 4th ,move us up a gear midfielder wuil arrive in the winter transfer window.

We got a wee break today , Morton were not pressing us but we rarely troubled Cuthbert.The league is won over 36 games , today makes up for one of our recent draws.

More than anything I want to see a settled formation , Liam in midfield , and 3 or 4 wins over the next month to set up a massive game against the Pars on 24/1 which help seal our destiny back to the SPL.

[Bruno Strasser]

The only real positive (apart from the points) was this was exactly the kind of game we would have lost last year, or at best scraped a point.

[CynicalSaintee]

You can't expect us to play like Barca in weather like that. Fact is, we stole a win in horrid conditions in a game where, a couple of seasons ago, we'd've dropped two points or even three. Rusty again having a stormer and scoring a massive goal. It could've been a terrible day at the office, with Livi, Partick and the Pars winning, but we won regardless and we're still top of the league. We've played better and lost in recent times, and to win in the thick of Winter against a team as clammy as Morton is no mean feat.

[saintj]

we dont expect saints to play like barca, we just expect a decent fluent well organised performance which is something that hasnt been seen for a while imo

[silver_blue]

Jody did not place a single pass astray in the whole game. Thought he was a class above not just everyone on the pitch but possibly the whole league. Winning the league is about winning when you play poorly which is what we did today.

We will win this league and the fact we could replace Savo with a player of Peaso's ( who got us the decisive corner ) class is one of many reasons why this will come to pass.

Loved my train journey back to Glasgow with the Morton boys but would have enjoyed the banter even if we hadn't won. OF supporters might not understand the last comment.

[Cagey]

Poor display today but have to be happy with the points.

Not convinced what side of the Joddy debate to take. He did look class today but he didn`t hurt the opposition & we seem to have lost something since he came back into the team. I think the balance is wrong in midfield. Millar is wasted out wide & we feel we need Hardie for his strength & height. Sheerin is in & out of the team & Swankie is not doing it when he gets a chance. Craig is played at left back when he should really be in midfield & Mooner offers mobility, fight, great passes & gets in the box.

Del has too many to pick from & getting the right blend is difficult. Who would be a manager. You have a problem if you don`t have enough good players but an even bigger one if you have too many.

[St Mikey]

Lets be honest the weather was more entertaining than the 90+ mins.

Simply playing 4 centre midfielders is stupid.

Points I took from the game were:
Morris - sitting too deep and not productive on the ball.
Hardie - great going forward but a lazy git coming back.
Millar - He's no a right midfielder and look lost.
Savo - loads o effort but at times looked to deep for the ball.
Irvine - Cannae cross a ball, indecisive.
Rusty - mince freekick but made up with good defending all day and fouling for the winner!!!! hehehehe


When we get a left back in January sales get Liam Craig back to Left mid and get Swankie back in the team on right wing. Missed his width today seriously.

[StDuncM]

Lets be honest the weather was more entertaining than the 90+ mins.

Simply playing 4 centre midfielders is stupid.

Points I took from the game were:
Morris - sitting too deep and not productive on the ball.
Hardie - great going forward but a lazy git coming back.
Millar - He's no a right midfielder and look lost.
Savo - loads o effort but at times looked to deep for the ball.
Irvine - Cannae cross a ball, indecisive.
Rusty - mince freekick but made up with good defending all day and fouling for the winner!!!! hehehehe


When we get a left back in January sales get Liam Craig back to Left mid and get Swankie back in the team on right wing. Missed his width today seriously.

From what I've read here I think you have probably not assessed this quite so accurately as you think!

[sjfcsean]

get Swankie back in the team on right wing.

Agree with that, but the last time he played he was mince at Clyde.

[Capital Saint]

My pal is a Morton suppporter so I spent the day with him from Edinburgh to Perth and back. He was shaking his head in disbelief at Davie Irons decision to only play one up front today. In his eyes, their recent good run was down to a 442 formation which included a win against Dunfermline.

We are at the top, we are the team the rest of the league feel they need play tight and try and steal a point off, rather than try and beat. I guess we need to get used to games like that. But, as some people say, if we can play bad and still win, it's good enough for me.

[saintj]

Agree with that, but the last time he played he was mince at Clyde.

its only 1 poor game he has had compared to others in the team who keep their places, swankie has the ability ro beat people, stick in a good cross and we have seen he can score great goals

[saintj]

just remembered, well done to those who were singing at the game today :)

a pleasant surprise on a shitty day

[Dennistoun Saint]

Absolute drivel, what difference did he make last year?

We were mid table when he arrived and finished in the same position

I didn't say he was a one man miracle! Would've taken a lot more than one signing to drastically improve our fortunes by the time he arrived last season.
The difference was in the authority he brought to the midfield, the fact that he wasn't scared to hold on to the ball and he could be patient and pick a pass (came in pretty handy against St.Mirren and Rangers). I am in no doubt that he added something to the team and that he still does. As others have said, he's not supposed to be an attacking midfielder; he dictates the play and allows others more freedom. Is it because of him as a person or something?
Anyway, winning ugly is the mark of a good team so well done Saintees!

[Linlithgow Saint]

First game I've been to in a while due to work commitments.

Don't quite understand why Morris is taking a little stick.

The guy is a class apart, it's just today the midfield was not close enough to the front pairing. Morton pushed us back with their packed midfield.

We needed more width to break them down and thankfully a decent corner delievered the winner.

But Morris was running all day, harrying, blocking and urging his men on.

On top form, he's too good for us. He's still not fully sharp but when he is, he surely has to be the first name on the team sheet.

Sign of champions - winning ugly - but from what I've heard we can play a lot better than that.

[herdo]

Really poor game today but absolutely delighted to win it. This time last year we would not have won that. We missed Swankie on the wing because, as much as i like them both, Irvine and Millar cant cross a football. Jody Morris was solid today without being particularly outstanding. I sometimes feel that part of his problem is that he is in a different league to the rest of the team. People sometimes get on his back for the odd misplaced pass but i feel it is because he see's things that no one else in our team see's. He always manages to do the simple things well like keeping possesion and shifting the ball around the park and maybe we dont see enough flashes of brilliance from him that many expect. Hopefully that will come with match fitness, but he also needs somewhere to play the ball. We had absolutely no width today and i believe Swankie would have enhanced our attacking options. Also come january, liam craig will hopefully be moved back to midfield giving us more width.

[saintj]

On top form, he's too good for us.



no player in this team is too good for us, if that was the case he wouldnt be here

[Ginger Bakers rebel army]

First game I've been to in a while due to work commitments.

Don't quite understand why Morris is taking stick.

The guy is a class apart, today the midfield was not close enough to the front pairing. Morton pushed us back with their packed midfield.

We needed more width to break them down and thankfully a decent corner delievered the winner.

But Morris was running all day, harrying, blocking and urging his men on.

On top form, he's too good for us. He's still not fully sharp but when he is, he surely has to be the first name on the team sheet.

Sign of champions - winning ugly - but from what I've heard we can play a lot better than that.

Totally agree , Morris was miles ahead of the game today . I just hope for our sake he keeps his head up ,gets back to full fitness and drives us on to the SPL. We have seen far to many players come in that look like the new messiah but after a week or two they fail to deliver and slip back to mediotricity at best. I think Jodi will be here next year, watch this space.

Del boy was as fustrated as we were today , we need to back a winner and Ithink we have a good leader. The transfer window is important but we are already in a srtrong position.

The East stand was much more vocal today when we got going , and there was a willingness to continue singing through the red seats and into the blue seats.

There were quite a lot of saintees in Christies after the game , City centre pubs should all be blue and white , I am a down the town man, mainly Royal after the game , lets start off with a couple of pubs and then make them all blue and white.

[Broggy Man]

Oh dear dont you love the posting on here. Yes it was ugly but it was a result. teams will now play is with a view to getting a point and we better get used to it. patience in a game is paramount now as we will not steamroller teams no matter what players we put on the park.

Now Jodie Morris controlled our midfield yesterday hardly wasted a pass all day got stuck in broke play up against a very powerfull Morton midfield. The front two were marshalled by often 5 Morton players which makes it tough for them. The one critisism of Del is Miller out wide he seems to disappear from games out there but that does not make him a bad player.

The midfield did lack speed today Morris who is quicker than he looks sitting and relying on Hardie and Sheerin making runs just does not work. There was little width in the play with the crosses coming from deeper areas ala Craig and Irvine but with no real Hieght in the attack we didnt get much change there.

The up shot is I dont think we can play Hardie and Sheerin in the midfield as we seem to lack pace in this area when they play although Sheerins skill is undoubtably missed when he doesnt play. As far as im concerned im not convinced on the Hardie Morris pairing where I would find it hard to Justify the dropping of Morris I think we need a bit more box to box type energy there as when Morris has one of his runs at them we do seem likely to do something.

We are a good team our defence is looking up teams will always get chances against any first division side and Del will learn and know doubt tells the players to be patient and we better get used to this as teams will not come to McD and have a go we will have to break them down and if you look at Hamilton and no doubt Radford will have a look at this they scored so many early goals last season we need to emulate that. Strike early that is the easiest way to get them to come out

[Oldmuirton]

Absolutely baffled by some of the views on Jody Morris. He did not waste a single ball all day and was a class above any other player on the pitch. Even his backward passes are generally opening up the play. And his goaline clearance was every bit as imporant to the result as Dinky's great goal.

[101 Saint]

I think a lot of forumers need to allow the emotion to drain before posting. I've been critical of Jody in every game he's played this year because he hasn't operated to the level that Mooner would have. Yesterday, he was markedly better. Fully justified his starting berth.

I remember when Del played in the Morris role, he would point which player should recieve the ball, always reluctant to actually play it himself. Jody is always more than willing to receive the ball. I've never seen him pass the buck.

Sheerin shouldn't be on the left of our midfield but what options do we have? I don't buy the story that Swanks was fully fit (even if the physio passed him fit to play), his hamstring has given him trouble since he arrived. Del didn't sign a left back, so Liam can't play in that role. Personally, I would have stuck Hards out wide and played Mooner but I accept that Hards would narrow the game in that position.

We were poor yesterday but a lot of that came from Morton closing us down all day. Sadly, only Morris, Millar and Savo do that for us.

The substitution of Millar was crass. Midge might be slightly off-form but his work rate is awesome and Sammy on the wing is grotesque waste of skill. Homer should've replaced Savo or Sammy. We were over run in midfield, Hardie was really toiling for most of the second half yet Mooner was given only 10 minutes depsite one of the best reserve performances in years.

Del appears to be feeling the pressure. The subs are getting later and give an air of desperation. Hopefully, the return to winning ways will calm him down.

For the morons who booed and vociferously explained how jolly awful we were at the cessation of the first half - get used to it. We'll have lot more of these games at McDiarmid, at least until July/August 2009.

Well done and thank you, Saints.

[ancientsaint]

Gee whizz 101...i must be sitting in a different part of the ground from you....as i could see the Saints players had just gone up the tunnel and rusty was talking to the ref b4 he too disappeared up the tunnel....the "boos" then rang out at the Refereee.......As the Saints team came out of the tunnel they were applauded and cheered on......then a few boos rained upon the last guy out....Yep the Referee.

[SingaporeSaint]

I would take 3 points and a bad performance any day.What a bunch of winging cnuts post on this site.

[Super Sammy Johnston]

As I said in a previous post I thought Jody was our best player yesterday.

I know people keep banging on about him passing the ball back the way, but two examples yesterday when we were breaking forward we were lucky if we had two people in front of the pass or at the side which limits the options.

We seem to be slow going forward at times especially on the break, so in that case is it not better he retains the ball than lashing a hopefull ball to know one??

I think some people think we should be winning 5-0 every week but thats not going to happen.

Yesterday was a s*it game but we stole the points and at the end of the day thats all that counts.

[Carse of Gowrie Saint]

A fantastic 3 points for us yesterday........a result that wins titles!

However, another below par performance with 5/6 players not performing. I think Del needs to rest a few players and make a few changes for next week.

Millar,Hardie and Milne were really poor today and I was surprised that Hardie came out for the second half. Next week I would start Moon, Swankie and Peaso in their place. The strikers seem to lack sharpness and you can't see any of them scoring at the moment.

On a positive note Main, Ruti and Caff were outstanding again and we don't look like losing goals at the moment.

[Radford 72]

Have to say, I thought our performance was ok yesterday. Morton are a compact side that Irons has very well organised to make up for the lack of attacking threat at his disposal. They simply don't have the players to go out there and try to create numerous chances, so instead keep it tight and look to nick a goal on the break. It's good management on Irons’ part as he's probably getting as much as he can out of that group of players. Evidence of how solid they are can be gathered by looking at the full backs, who didn't cross the halfway line in open play. Paartalu patrols the area in front of Greacen and Shimmin and then have another couple of big lads in the centre of the park to try and stop the opposition getting any sort of grip. I thought Irons would lineup 4-5-1 and he got it spot on, at 88 minutes I think everything had gone to plan and he‘ll be furious at losing a headed goal from a set piece to probably one of only two players we had on the pitch at that time that could have won an aerial challenge. Great delivery from Liam Craig though. Understandable why we were going short all the time with the corners but frustrating as they were poor.

I was happy enough with the way we competed physically, although Morton were always going to win that battle. The one disappointment was Hardie, who was bullied more than I’ve seen him before. Morton’s major threat understandably was from set pieces and twice we had to clear off the line but I don’t think Main had a meaningful save to make in the match. Unfortunately, Cuthbert wasn’t worked nearly enough either. As with last week, we had chances but the finishing was poor, with Samuel and Holmes particularly guilty; Sammy putting a header wide in the first half and then blasting over in the second whilst Holmes couldn’t keep a header down shortly after coming on.

At 4-4-2 I thought we looked comfortable but were finding it hard against two good centre backs. I thought Greacen was bulliable last season but he was much more ruthless today. Was really disappointed when McInnes went to 4-3-3, especially when he stuck Holmes out on the left, although it did create acres of space for Samuel that we didn’t exploit. When we changed the formation, I couldn’t see where a winner was going to come from and on that basis, Morton can probably feel aggrieved at not taking a point but I’m struggling to grasp how any Saints fan can think we deserved to lose that match.

Enough good individual perfomances from us again with the two centre backs, Craig, Morris and Samuel all impressive. I say it each week but Samuel is starting to show glimpses of just how good he could be if he gets a run and some confidence back. Morris again controlled things and can be a really big player for us. I actually think he’ll be a better player for us if we manage to get promoted as the pace in this league is probably a bit much for him. Didn’t stop a similar player in Alex Neil being a standout for Accies but I think the prospect of Morris in the SPL is exciting. The one negative since his return is the impact it’s had on Chris Millar’s performances, he’s going off the boil. Guys like Millar and Moon are more the mould of midfielders you need at this level IMO but Morris has to play if available.

All told, a massive result for us with the other challengers all winning.

[101 Saint]

Gee whizz 101...i must be sitting in a different part of the ground from you....as i could see the Saints players had just gone up the tunnel and rusty was talking to the ref b4 he too disappeared up the tunnel....the "boos" then rang out at the Refereee.......As the Saints team came out of the tunnel they were applauded and cheered on......then a few boos rained upon the last guy out....Yep the Referee.

I sit in the East Stand, three or four rows from the back,yellow seats in line with the D. I cannae mind the exact quote but it was something along the lines of, "This is terrible Saints" and the boos came from the same area (North East corner of East Stand).

[ancientsaint]

I sit in the East Stand, three or four rows from the back,yellow seats in line with the D. I cannae mind the exact quote but it was something along the lines of, "This is terrible Saints" and the boos came from the same area (North East corner of East Stand).


I also sit in the East stand Row Q and despite a couple of guys who would criticise everything that moves I certainly didnt hear any Boos aimed at Saints Players........perhaps my hearing aid is on the blink !!!

[101 Saint]

I also sit in the East stand Row Q and despite a couple of guys who would criticise everything that moves I certainly didnt hear any Boos aimed at Saints Players........perhaps my hearing aid is on the blink !!!

Then we are neighbours! I promise you, there was a section booing Saints and shouting nonsense.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

I sit at the Ormond end of the east stand and there were defo a couple of guys giving it Boos behind me. Not full force but they were not happy at the performance.I have to say , even though I disagree with them about needing to boo, they pay their money and everyone is entitled to their own opinion..I honestly believe that had Rusty not come up with the winner, there would have been a lot morre discontent at the end. Onwards and upwards though... Bring on Clydebank.

[Southpaw]

Don't know if it's been mentioned in other posts but that was a good away support from Morton, bearing in mind the weather, the time of year and their league placement.

[Mike180279]

I sit in the East Stand, three or four rows from the back,yellow seats in line with the D. I cannae mind the exact quote but it was something along the lines of, "This is terrible Saints" and the boos came from the same area (North East corner of East Stand).I have to add that I sit not far from there and I didnt pick up on any of this. Recent weeks on this forum have mentioned the Boos aimed at the ref and this week there was a few that waited until the players were well in the tunnel.

We were pretty dire though, I went for a pee at halftime and the slagging was quite intense for a team that is in our position. This mentally of this is something that we will never break but it is important we give the players 100% support......

[ancientsaint]

I sit at the Ormond end of the east stand and there were defo a couple of guys giving it Boos behind me. Not full force but they were not happy at the performance.I have to say , even though I disagree with them about needing to boo, they pay their money and everyone is entitled to their own opinion..I honestly believe that had Rusty not come up with the winner, there would have been a lot morre discontent at the end. Onwards and upwards though... Bring on Clydebank.


Being Savo's butler i would have thought one should have been in the west stand ready to wash and iron his kit - provide his refreshments etc etc.

:idea:

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Being Savo's butler i would have thought one should have been in the west stand ready to wash and iron his kit - provide his refreshments etc etc.

:idea:

I was only Savosbutler briefly. I needed a cover to infiltrate the ICT site. I am now unmasked.Have they banned me yet?? Suppose I'd better have a butchers...

[mainstand]

At 4-4-2 I thought we looked comfortable but were finding it hard against two good centre backs. I thought Greacen was bulliable last season but he was much more ruthless today. Was really disappointed when McInnes went to 4-3-3, especially when he stuck Holmes out on the left, although it did create acres of space for Samuel that we didn’t exploit. When we changed the formation, I couldn’t see where a winner was going to come from and on that basis, Morton can probably feel aggrieved at not taking a point but I’m struggling to grasp how any Saints fan can think we deserved to lose that match.

.

Radford it may have looked like it was a 4-3-3 but from Docherty and McInness's actions and shouts at samuels tehy were deffo playing a 4-4-2.

[101 Saint]

Radford it may have looked like it was a 4-3-3 but from Docherty and McInness's actions and shouts at samuels tehy were deffo playing a 4-4-2.

Whatever it was, it didn't work. Whether, first team, reserve team or training, Sammy ain't the wide player that Del portrayed to the media.

Homer and Peaso did seem to take in turns to drift wide left. Did you hear any shouts from to Del or Doc encouraging them to do so, or do you feel they went there because there was space?

[Aitchy]

Very happy with the win. As some others have said on this thread, we better get used to more games like this at McDiarmid between now and the end of the season. At the start of the season when we were getting turned over and looking vulnerable in defence other teams were willing to have a go at us, which in turn left gaps for us to exploit, however now that we are 12 games unbeaten and top of the league opposing managers are obviously becoming more cautious when playing against us, especially at McDiarmid, which leads to the games being sligthly boring/frustrating for us fans.

Thought Jody was excellent, as was the Caff and Ruti. The players would have been thankful for the win bonuses as they had there Christmas night out in "happening"(!) Aberdeen last night!

[mainstand]

Whatever it was, it didn't work. Whether, first team, reserve team or training, Sammy ain't the wide player that Del portrayed to the media.

Homer and Peaso did seem to take in turns to drift wide left. Did you hear any shouts from to Del or Doc encouraging them to do so, or do you feel they went there because there was space?

Never heard that close just saw the signs to Samuels. It's strange that you say taht about Samuels if memory serves me right most of the time samuels played on the wing at Dundee United.

If as I suspect we were playing 2 up you would expect one of them to drag out wide at time would you not?

[Macarius]

I've heard Sammy himself say that he is versatile enough to play in 3 positions (meaning centre-forward and on either wing) but based on what I've seen of him this season, I would argue that he can't play in any.

[101 Saint]

Never heard that close just saw the signs to Samuels. It's strange that you say taht about Samuels if memory serves me right most of the time samuels played on the wing at Dundee United.

If as I suspect we were playing 2 up you would expect one of them to drag out wide at time would you not?

Yeah, but he wasn't that productive at United.

I have no problem with strikers pulling wide but felt that one of them was almost stranded there on a permanant basis.

[Dave H]

I missed the game on European travels, however nothing makes a Saturday more enjoyable than 3 points in the bag. I couldnt care less on performance or reports, I havent read anything about the game except Rusty (88) from the bbc football websit :) one goal better than last week and 2 consecutive shutouts :D

Brilliant result!

[dan the saint]

shit game but Brilliant result.

[Kevin]

Thought Sammy played well on the wing, great to see a winger skinning the defence and he did that quite a bit and believe me, that surface was not conducive to that sort of play either!

[Broon]

If this game had finished 0-0 it would have been keyboard carnage on here.

I'm not sure what the problem is either. I thought the lineup looked ok, no real surprises. I'm not convinced the two strikers can forge a partnership but we should have had enough in our locker. I think we are really struggling to break down opposition at home due to teams playing a 5 man midfield against our 4. The only way around this is to go wide and we really struggled on both sides because Miller was very poor and Sheerin and Hardie didn't seem to know which one was meant to be playing on the left. I think we missed Swankie.

I think this is going to be a familiar sight at home this season, as teams come to frustrate us. I expected more from Hardie, who was a liability and showed no effort at all. The rest of the team just didn't seem to click. The defence looked very good though.

I think we really need to get an early goal at home to force teams to come at us. If we don't, I can see many more games like this. It was a good result in the end considering.

I think in future if we are going to drop Homer we need to play Peaso instead. He can link with the other striker, just like Homer can. Savo and Samuel are 'the other striker' in my opinion.

[wee john]

I sit in the East Stand, three or four rows from the back,yellow seats in line with the D. I cannae mind the exact quote but it was something along the lines of, "This is terrible Saints" and the boos came from the same area (North East corner of East Stand).

I cannot believe someone said "This is terrible Saints" :evil:

An utter disgrace, they should never be allowed into McD again, what are football fan's turning into nowadays.

[Noose76]

I called Sammy a lazy ****, so I assume that should be a lifetime ban?

101 Saint, there is nothing wrong in a bit of criticism of our own players. It's when it's continuous barracking of individual players or a total lack of positive input from a fan, when it should be frowned upon.

[the mad referee]

what are football fan's turning into nowadays.

People like you Wee John :)

[Burghsaintee]

Thought Sammy played well on the wing, great to see a winger skinning the defence and he did that quite a bit and believe me, that surface was not conducive to that sort of play either!

Did anyone see Del nearly land on his @rse at the side of the pitch? I couldn't believe there were no jeers from the stands.

[Mike180279]

[/B]

Did anyone see Del nearly land on his @rse at the side of the pitch? I couldn't believe there were no jeers from the stands.
yeah, there was a bit of noise from the centre of the east stand...

[slf]

yeah, there was a bit of noise from the centre of the east stand...


and a laugh fae the west stand ha ha

[duncan08]

i can only hope he didnt get his suit muddy :laugh:






:cool:

[perth_saintee12]

Dam he only has the one suit too cant afford to wash unless we get promo :D