Graeme S

Yes, but also, every time we made a sub, we became weaker.

Hmmm, No crosses into the box that I can remember, as such our whole attack seemed to be trying to force their way through Ranjurs, through the middle - a battle we never looked like winning. Harsh booking (not even a free kick) for Raymond, which shackled him for the rest of the game. I think we missed Smith for his distribution in this game - he can pick a pass, but would that have meant a very narrow midfield with Holt, Sprangler and Clark all playing centrally too? The late subs demonstrate our lack of squad depth - Max and McPake? Really? We need more depth in the squad during January and some of the not good enough fringe players moved out if possible. Weren't disgraced, but rarely threatened to string 3 passes together to make a decent chance. However, much better performance and nicer to watch than 3 months ago.

There is tippy tappy fitba and then there is Man City, 1000 passes per goal style which, TBF, has been successful but Is not a fan friendly type of game. I think there should be a pass count (like the shot clock in basketball if it still exists? Or like in rugby?) to stop the 1000 passes,then you'd get a mix of passing and direct fitba. The problem being is that fans are the last priority in modern football - TV companies, sponsors, the small countries that own the clubs etc, all come before the fans, so entertainment is second to winning.

Back to the 1 up front nonsense from the start, Douglas looks slow & rusty, Drey's new boots musn't be broken in yet, Sven quietest I've seen him if late. If Raymond, Benji, Neilson and Bozo aren't up to a full 90 mins, then the line up is understandable, but if not, I've no idea what the changes were about.

Have Sanders and Cameron ever met before? Do they even speak the same language? Like total strangers.

Thank you Danny Griffin - "Drey isn't a right back, he's a right winger, but he's done great filling in there". I know Mr Griffin can sometimes be regarded as an eejit, but,on this occasion, 👍

Maybe thinks Carey + Douglas = Raymond? If Douglas isn't fully fit, playing Carey in front of him maybe gives a bit more cover on the left? 🤷‍♀️

Kirk & Son? 😂🤷‍♀️

In a Hamilton team where C Smith gets a game - yes, says a lot about where he is. What Linky says is also true, however, I believe Dare is on a wage that is relatively eye watering for an untested player. I suppose it shows just how desperate Macca was for players. 🤷‍♀️

https://tv.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/videos/140005230 Interview (Free view) with Fran Smith on Saints TV today.

Did notice Simo gently manhandling Kirk back to his seat in the dugout at one point though.....

Didn't miss much tbh, I may be being harsh - but has Levein like charisma. Maybe not helped by the questions being somewhat..... Loaded "welcome to St Johnstone, just how thrilled are you to be here?" 😅 No way he's not going to be "thrilled" to be at Saints is there🤷‍♂️

I agree, and some of the signings have been excellent (Mitov for example) and some have been honking, but even Tommy signed his share of donkeys. I think all the "washed up OF players" have all gone back to their homeland to finish their careers/retire which is kind of what I was saying. How likely are we to see a 40 year old Sibideh in Tesco, or bump into Keltjens in 10 years time in McDonald's? No connection/loyalty to Perth. It's the modern game/business but I don't have to like it.

Absolutely no criticism here at all, but your list of nationalities is what I wanted to illustrate. There's a fear from me that the league of nations we have isn't a "Saints team" (if that even exists any more). Sure, there's a lot of talented individuals there but that's exactly what they are so far - individuals with no link/loyalty/whatever to the club . Man U have shown this - you can spend squillions on international talent, but if they can't play as a team.... Maybe this is where Simo will excel? I know it's the way the game is going, but I hark back to "the good old days"- in 2014 when that cup team was what? 9 Scots? And 2021 Double done with 11 I think. Even the Sellick European Cup Winning team was 11 Scots. I look at Selkick/Rainjurs/Aberdeen etc and there's hardly a Scot in sight. It doesn't say a lot for our game when we're looking at Khonsa, whose show reel is of a very poor standard of fitba, are we seriously saying there's not a Scot we can afford that can do the same job? (appreciate Douglas is now in). I get the ultimate aim is to discover "a talent" and sell them on for trillions but I just can't help but feel there's a growing gulf between the players and fans in these circumstances (I believe Sven is the exception to that rule). Old fashioned, sentimental view, but I'm old fashioned and look back with blue tinted glasses. As I said earlier, I get the game is changing, but I genuinely don't think it's for the better unfortunately. (pits oan tin helmet😂).

I've read somewhere that Bozo likes a long diagonal. If he's even half as good at it as one of our last Eastern European defenders, I'll be happy. Step forward Sergei and a 70 yard diagonal onto a sixpence 👍