The Big Show

changed, my minds still thinking about the game that should've happened today!

Honestly I do, I thought Sheridan did well, but I felt the Doc helped make him look good. I just think that Samuel and Milne will do better at hassling the Hibs defence, as although Sheridan is big he doesn't actually offer much as a target man or anything like that, and I feel that Milne and Samuel would be better suited. However, I did make a mistake in not mentioning him on the bench, either Swankie or Sheerin swapped for him! As for considering starting Craig, I thought he did well against Hibs, but he won't get the time and space he had against Hibs in the first match to get his shots off etc. and quite frankly I think his crossing is shocking! So in terms of someone getting down the line and creating chances, Morais would be a better option if fit...

Good read, McInnes comes across really well in the article. It's good too know he studies opponents so thoroughly. Certainly worked on Wednesday! Be interesting too see where he goes once he's outgrown Saints as he almost inevitably will, straight down to the Prem? Championship? Rangers??

Looking forward to this game, although I think we'll struggle to get a victory. I think the Doc was a huge factor in our 5-1 victory, as he had the Hibs defence shitting themselves! Without him, and given the fact that Hibs have a point to prove against us, I'm going for a score draw. I think we should go with; Smith Irvine Mackay Duberry Anderson Millar Moon Davidson Craig/Morais Milne Samuel Main, Gartland, Sheerin, Morris, Swankie, Craig/Morais, Reynolds. Definitely think Mooner should keep his place, looks like him and Davidson go well together and its exciting for the future as there both in their early twenties! Morris is still our best player, but a rest for him will do him good and I still think that once everyones fit the 4-3-3 with a Moon-Morris-Davidson midfield will work. C'mon you Saints!

I have been informed that one player hit the bar..

Haha I'm a regular viewer on the forum but not a regular poster as you can tell, and sometimes I completely disagree with what your saying, but understand your reasoning. People who just come on and dismiss it as complete nonsense need too look into it more and maybe not agree with it but understand your reasons for saying it. Too many people are ignorant and if they see a point which does not agree with there's they'll dismiss it entirely.

Yes your entitled to an opinion, but thats the point in a forum you debate opinions without being ignorant and completely dismissing other opinions except your own. I think if you actually read what 101 says he has a lot of good points which are very clever, but because there not the same as the majority on here he gets ganged up against.

I think 101 gets singled out on this forum. He's entitled to his opinions and he actually does make a lot of sense in what he says. Del's selection and tactics have been poor at times, but he's also made good decisions too. But lay off 101 everyone's entitled too an opinion and although I disagree and would hate for Del too leave, as long as someone can back up their argument I wouldn't hold a grudge.

Can somebody post the picture from the sunday mail up on here? Didn't buy the paper and can't seem to get it of the website, would love too see what it was like!

I wasn't meaning too offend, I never realised this soccerchic. At least Saints helped fix him up, it seems a good set-up at Arbroath so who knows maybe he could develop there and TC will bring him back in a year or too!

Yes, that's the new boy. A big hit so far, watched a bounce game between the 16's and 17's at the school a few weeks back and he scored 5, and then my nephew said that they beat Methven U19's 10-1 and that the new boy scored 5 again. Seems like Saints' loss is Arbroath's gain! Saints play Arbroath in the 19's cup so he may get an opportunity too prove TC wrong!

Agreed, but many people say these guys as being payed to do a hobbie of theirs which is wrong. It's a profession and to these guys, winning or losing a game could mean the difference between being able to give their kids a few bob and enjoy a few luxuries, or being short of a few quid for a week. These guys aren't Ronaldo's who are overpaid t***'s. They are playing to pay for their homes, wives and kids, so shouldn't be treated like celebrities and moaned at for not staying at fanfests for long enough

Well I'm sorry to hear that. But training 2-3 hours a day for 5 days a week vigorously during pre-season takes a lot out of you. On top of that, they were just back from a pre-season tour playing games in a short space of time. It is a very difficult thing too do. A lot of players get stick which isn't necessery. These guys aren't "celebrities". A lot of forum members will earn more than the top players do, so keeping yourself in top physical shape for that kind of money isn't exactly "easy going". They were tired, they showed face and left. Fair play, they're average human beings, not celebrities like Ronaldo, Henry, Beckham etc. and wanted too go home, rest up for the week ahead and see their loved ones.

Which one is your nephew Saintkev? I go and watch the Arbroath youths regularly, my nephew also plays for them. Is it under17's? I understand that the Arbroath that Saints could meet in the 19's Scottish Cup 2nd Round is infact the U17's playing in the U19's cup, a bit like Saints last year.

Gutted too miss todays game, playing in a charity golf match! Give the boys a good cheer, lets get off to a positive start and get some good momentum going into the new season!

You don't really have a clue what it's like too be a footballer. You train for hours 5 days a week, now how much exercise do you do? And how tired do you feel after it? Well imagine doing it vigorously for 5 days? And we'll see if you'd want too hang around longer than you had too. The players showed face then went home. Mooner stayed longer because he probably knew some people being a local lad and all. Sheerin and Alan stayed as they have young kids who were enjoying themselves. The rest left as they wanted just to get home and relax after tough pre-season sessions, which speaking from experience are horrible and completely drain you. If they didn't get a proper meal after their session, no wonder they left as soon as possible as they would not have had any energy left. Your comparison too the army and such is ridiculous. People choose their profession, be it football, armed forces, lawyer or doctor. They all have different physical and mental demands, so to say footballers get it easy is bollocks.

I am enthusiastic about a Moon and Morris midfield partnership.

I'd follow Newcastle more as they are my English team, but I'd also watch Arbroath as I think they are an exciting wee club with a lot of potential and emphasis on their youths.

It's not looking good for the lad! I hope he can get back to his best, but it's a big ask. I think unless he has a good solid season in the SPL, we may offload him next summer, which would be a shame cause he has so much potential, but life is cruel sometimes, and he may not be able to reach the potential he has.

He's still a great player, but I'd rather Sheerin played out there and as he's been withdrawn from coaching this is obviously Del's view aswell. I think Craig brings great versatility. He could play LB, LM, CM or RM. He could even play of the striker. I think he'll be used everywhere this year.

Does anyone think they'll be saved? To be honest, clubs like this should never be allowed to play in the Scottish Leagues. Foreign owners are causing so many problems both North and South of the border. I'd much rather see a side like Bathgate or Irvine Meadow or a highland league side like Keith or Clachnacuddin. At least they are honest and well run. The Gretna's and Livi's ruin it for others!

It'll be tough this year for Del too pick our team. I'd imagine there will be a lot of rotations depending on opposition... For example against teams who have a lot of big players who are difficult too play football against, I'd almost guarantee Hardie will play, and then the other place between Morris and Moon the two wee terriors. However against other teams, I think Hardie becomes a liability due to the fact he has lost a lot of pace and would end up fouling, which is where I'd imagine Millar and Davidson will be given there chance. At the end of the day, Del will watch the opposition either on tape or live, and decide the team accordingly. However for the Motherwell game, I'd like to see: Alan Main Gary Irvine Danny Grainger Kevin Rutkiewicz Stuart McCaffrey Filipe Morais (If he signs, if not, Liam Craig) Paul Sheerin Martin Hardie Jody Morris/Kevin Moon Kenny Deuchar Steven Milne Graeme Smith, Jody Morris/Kevin Moon, Colin Samuel, Liam Craig (or Graham Gartland depending on Morais), Andy Jackson, Murray Davidson, Steven May. The reason I would leave out Gartland is that if Grainger picks up an injury, Craig could slot in. Equally, if Rutkiewicz or McCaffrey pick up injuries, Grainger could move into the middle with Craig slotting in at left-back. I think Craig playing there last season actually is a good thing, as it adds another position for an already versatile player... God, I'd hate to be in Del's position!