TheYellowBox

Even if we took an extra £100k, the increased police costs would eat into a reasonable chunk of that. I'd say 4 games vs OF a season would net c£150k. Still not an immaterial figure though. If we could re invest the increased revenue, we could make more in the long term. Simple things like card payments at the pie stalls would make a significantly increased revenue on all matchdays. I'd like to see saints make this work for the club instead of just going into the larger overall pot.

Agree with this. I understand the financials and can see that the club has tried various schemes to increase the support, but the board are irking a large portion of the core support. This will not serve to grow the home support. For this season only, impacted fans should be given discounted hospitality or free pie and bovril for these fixtures. Long term, I'd like the club to quantify the additional income and ring fence a portion of it to be dedicated to improving facilities and/or straight to youth system. That way, you keep the fans on side and 'we' can see the impact of forgoing any home advantage.

I'm not seeing much in our side at the moment though that would suggest we are capable of putting a decent run of results together. On the game itself, I though Gordon was the only one with pass marks. We are far too slow getting the ball forward. The one time we stepped up the tempo, we created the MOH chance. Tommy clearly set up not to concede and hope to take a chance or two at the other end, which is fair enough, but I think we need to be winning these games. Draws in the next couple if games playing this way would not be good enough. We need to be winning games vs StMirren and the likes as we need to get a bit of distance from them given our inconsistency.

All positive, but the cynic in me would suggest that would he say anything other than this if asked. Slight concern and surprise that the club haven't already spoken to him though.

While we need some experience at the back, I'd like to see us look around other teams to see if there is some if the next gen of saints players we can pick up. You just need to look at the £50k we spent on the 2 best players of the last decade to see when we can get for relatively little outlay. Halket at Hearts might be available if the new manager doesnt fancy him.

I actually think it would be worse than that. Based on our core support, we are on par with Raith and Ayr. What has set us apart from our peers is the solid financial based that McD gave us. The advantage that gave us is waining so as SLF said, club needs a restructure the stay one step ahead. Where in any other era the 'success' we have had would have meant increased core support, that has not been the case. Club needs to show the same innovative approach shown by Brown snr, Campbell, etc, which has been sadly lacking for quite some time. To put into context, the move to a new all seater stadium in late 80's would only be comparable to building an indoor stadium now. Do we think this board are capable of thinking that innovatevly? I don't. Not say that is what we do, but we need that kind of thinking to keep the club ahead of the curve.

No getting away from the fact that this poor team is entirely of Tommy's doing. We could all see for the whole of last season we were light at the back. If the best you can come up with in that time is Duffy, Ralston and Vihman, then you clearly cannot spot a defender. I've always been in the camp of stick by Tommy, but I'm starting to think we need something to change. Do we need someone dedicated to player recruitment or are we seeing the effects of not having Calumn Davidson as since he left, we have not made on good signing. I'll be very disappointed if we don't sign someone on day one of the window as surely we must be negotiating right now. I think in the Summer the May signing horror show meant the eye was taken off the ball. Need to make the right signings and hope they hit the ground running or we are down, on the basis the damage isn't irreversible by then......

Agree. I'd also get Ralston back to Celtic if we can get another right back. He's championship level at best. I like tanser, but I think he suffers from having no confidence in the players playing beside him in the back line, so feels he needs to go forward. Whatever we end up with, we are really lacking experience and vocal players. Slightly left field (pardon the pun..) but maybe liam craig at left back and push tanser into left CB? Cannot be worse than what is there at the moment and I think we are lacking Liam's voice when he's not in the team. Alternatively, go with 5 at the back and play with wing backs. Whatever it is, this defence is so poor, that until the Jan window opens, we need to change something. So in Jan: Out: Swanson Callighan Estonian Booth Ralson In: 2 CB's with experience and pace Right back Big target CF who can play up top on his own Messi

Exactly this. Kerr has been utter mince. If we have both and Vihman fit and they cannot get into that defence, then why are they there? Another couple of Keown type signings. Clark too has been very poor this season. He is rooted to his line/6 yard box, yet cannot command the 6 yard box. Worst of both worlds. His kicking is utterly awful. How many times does he put it out of play or away from our players. There was one occasion yesterday where all 20 outfield players with the exception of 1 hibs player were within 20 yards of each other, yet he managed to 'find' the one free hibs player. Parrish must be a better option at the moment. How have we managed our recruitment to end up with so many midfielders, but bigger all up front and at the back? May does a hell of a lot of running, but he's never going to get goals coming towards the touchline. I get why he is doing it, but given the wingers we have, just get him to stay central. He 100% benefits from another forward player chasing down the defence.

Would be good if the ground floor is shops and saints stick a club shop in one of them. Given it is GS Brown, each flat sold should come with a free season ticket. 75 flats = c200 people, get even a quarter going and hooked, then would help a bit.

Firstly, if ever there is a manager who should be given time to turn things around, then it should be Tommy. Secondly, we are small margins away from being significantly further up the league. Tommy cannot legislate for missed penalties. Convert them and we are what, 7th? Wasnt at St Mirren, so cannot comment, but in most games we have been broadly a match for the teams we have played. There is obviously glaring gaps in the team, for which Tommy must take some blame, mainly in defence, but as highlighted by the May Saga, we are clearly piss poor at getting deals done. I'd be really concerned if he couldn't see what we see, but that is not the case here. I'm sure if we are still where we are in Jan, the defence will be addressed. I think the argument that things are stale has its merits, but maybe a shuffle of backroom staff could freshen things up. That's how Fergie kept it fresh at Man Utd over the years. Ultimately, I could see Tommy taking more of a DOF position in the next few years. The biggest criticism I could level at Tommy is that he is often too reluctant to drop some players. Kerr and Clark could do with a reminder that they are not nailed on starters.

Exactly this. Worried also that Motherwell are no great team. These are the games we'd have ground a result out of in years gone by. Whole back 4 is too weak and Clark is giving me the fear at the moment. He does not control 'his' area at all. Holt did ok and was at least vocal, but faded. Overall, the team is lacking leaders. I'd have Liam Craig in there somewhere (fitness aside) aswe need someone on the pitch to noise them up. Vihman must be poor in training not to get in this side.

I'd go with this line up, but with Kennedy on the right and MOH just off May. I actually don't think we were too bad on Sunday, so with the addition of Holt, fairly confident of a positive result from this game. Only concern for me is the weekish defence. Would do them the world of good to have a clean sheet. Clark in particular looks off his best this season.

But if the barca or Real Madrid manager said the same about going to Ibrox, the papers would be all over it. He may be right, but shows a lack of class. On the game, I think we'll likely loose by a couple of goals and have a gut feeling Ralston will be sent off. Could have been doing with a winnable game right now after a good point up in Aberdeen to build some momentum. Alternatively, if we get a win, then completely turns around the opening to our season. Tactically, I think we should go with two up front and try and get ahead then move to a 4-4-1-1 and sit in. Predictably, there will be the Rangers 'party songs' that amazingly cannot be heard by the league and SFA representatives in the main stand and the inevitable pitch invasion if they score. Also got a fear on the new ticketing system. First real test with a larger than normal crowd.

As predicted, Tommy feels that Kane needs a confidence boost and he is right. May is the main man up front, but we will need Kane over the season and great man management from Tommy to highlight the work he does. However, I'd rather we had moved Kane on and brought in another experienced front man. I know we are looking for back up at left back, but it wouldn't surprise me if we brought in a more senior striker in January. I suspect the work over the next few months will no focus on contract renewals. Who should we keep, move on and who still has the Jury out?

Ralston has to be better than Duffy. Difficult to judge any player that has played for Utd in the last 3-4 years. Not as negative on him as others seem. My concern is the lack of experience anywhere at the back. What would be ideal is a defender that could play anywhere along the back line. Duffy was signed as a squad player who can cover at RB and CB, so not necessarily brought in with RB specifically in mind. Liam can play LB, so in an absolute emergency, he could cover there.

Killie were no great team today and were there for the beating. However, we never really tested them. MOH played well, but seemed intent on trying to beat as many men as possible. Says 2 things, 1 he is feeling confident and 2. Worryingly doesn't feel there is anyone going to get on the end of what he produces. Kane I hoped would be good alongside May and may well be, but he really isn't a lone striker. Was trying to flick it onto a non existent striker partner. Duffy looked out of his depth, but maybe he can come onto a game. I have my doubts. Most worrying, Kerr was absolutely awful today. Gave the ball away too many times and someone needs to tell him he is not beckenbauer as he cannot play a long pass. May looked likely, but what I did notice that he has added to his game is that he seemed to really be encouraging the other players, Duffy in particular. Was being very clear on where he wanted the ball to be played into. We will play worse and win, but really need, as others have suggested, a creative CM, a right back and another striker.

Would think it will be pretty much this team. Depends on how match fit Tommy thinks May is. If not, then maybe MOH sitting just behind Kane and Spoony in the team on the right giving Duffy a bit of cover. That side, bar Duffy and Kennedy have all either come through the youths or developed at the club in that they came as young players. Throw in that if Gordon, Spoony and May all play, we'd have a fair chunk of our team born in Perth. When would be the last time we had 3 Perth born players in the same 11?

So, in a roundabout way, we paid a transfer fee for Stevie. However, as it wasnt a direct transfer fee as such and was Saints paying Aberdeen a severance payment, then presumably the agent wouldn't get a cut of the transfer fee...... Whatever way, good to see May join. He certainly is keen to come to the club, so hopefully that transfers onto performances on the pitch.

Foster is a decent player and has contributed well to Saints in the last few years, but if he has over stepped the mark, then club would be better rid of him. A player with his experience, should be setting an example. I think we loose on the pitch by not having him, but maybe, it might be good for the growth of Kerr. I'm sure as captain, Tommy will have involved him somewhere in this, which while personally difficult for Kerr, would help his personal development. Also one less competing voice on the pitch. I see Duffy being a bit like Tanser was. A bit raw and not as competent initially as the player he is replacing, but can definitely grow into a fine full back.

If true, then yes. However, if the plan would be to bring some external people in, then maybe you could bring in a general manager CEO who then appoints the other? No idea how much Paul does at the club behind the scenes, but certainly, Saints need to good competent people running the club and if he fits that bill, the obviously a loss. Longer term, we cannot rely on a part time running of the club. Would have to be someone who fits in with the ethos of the club and understands the challenges and restrictions. Dare I say it and I know he is hated in Leith, but a Rod Petrie type character who is an employee, not an owner. Also, we need some non executives that have a wider business reach than local perthshire.

The reality is that the likes of both Hursts, Comrie, Brown, Easton etc are just not good enough for this level. Don't wish any ill on them and hope they have as good a career as possible, but unfortunately for them, for now, it will be at a lower level.

He will sign next week, with McMillan's contract being ended by mutual consent. The talk of a loan deal is a non starter, but serves a purpose that it indicates that Saints are still interested in May. Don't think for a second that Tommy doesn't use the media when he needs to. Would expect Anderson to go too, depending on Gordon showing he has fully recovered from injury. Tommy will also need to do a repair job on Kane's confidence. Feel for Kane as when he came back from QOS, he looked full of confidence and hungry, but that seems to of evaporated over time. He is suffering from not having a proven goalscorer alongside him.

I'll bite. (Not having flags aside), why should saints give up any extra seats to Rangers or Celtic? Given this is clearly what you are getting at. Money aside (which we clearly don't spend anyway), why should any club give up any sort of home advantage? Would you advocate your rangers giving half your stadium to Celtic? Re the trusted away support. I'd argue that given certain teams fans performance, both at McD and elsewhere, the majority cannot be trusted. If a team sells a ticket to say seat D23 to a supporter, take their name and if whoever is in that seat acts up, the names person is banned from ALL stadiums. Better still, the club responsible for that fan an others, should be punished. What would your view on the punishment for a stand full singing sectarian songs be? Clearly you have an issue with the SNP and immigration, so politics aside, the govt shouldn't be giving any grants to football. There is enough fans and professional clubs in Scotland, so why should the govt give football any more money when the clubs should do more. Surely encouraging all sports especially the less supported an non professional ones would be a better use of funds. Re the collection of fans data, if you don't act like a total bigoted tube and go to a football game and act like a normal human being in a public setting, then why should you have anything to fear? Saints and Brown have many failings, but the issues you raised are none of saints concern. We support saints because they are our club and the opposite of what you propose. We have 'Songbooks' that don't feel the need to hark back 3 centuries or belittle whole cultures or races. I'd rather have empty stands than stands full of dinosaurs thanks.

Yes, but clubs then divert what the would have spent on youth development into the general budget. The loss of the CL money for saints should not be a factor as I would hope the club never rely on it. Celtic will be weakened which should be good for the league. If we do end up signing a player on loan from Rangers or Celtic, it would have to like Aberdeen did with Christie, an 18 month loan with an option to terminate, otherwise it is totally pointless unless they are a wonderkid. I fully expect that by the close of the window, we will have brought in a loan striker no one has ever heard of and another Fallon/Iwelumo/Faulkner type player. I think an issue though might be an inability to shift out some of the existing players. I wonder if the 2 year deals given to Anderson, Callighan and McMillan might make SB think again about giving more than 1 year deals.