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I never like calling for someones head but there is nothing positive coming out of McD from the management team and the lack of any coherent tactics and play does not fill me with any hope for the future. Our players seem to lack fitness, guile, shape and sharpness. There is no doubt in my mind that SL and his staff coats are or should be on the woggly peg. To replace him, my first choice would be Sean Dyche who achieved a great deal with Watford before being dismissed due to the takeover of the club,much to the annoyance of many of their fans. His credentials include youth, reserve and first team periods. His team played good fottball and achieved their highest league position for years. I would also consider looking abroad at some of the coaches there. Belguim seem to be the up and coming nation -perhaps worth a look instead of the dutch. I wonder what became of Attila after his youth team knocked the first team out of the Austrain Cup, - is he still involved with football? Would he want to return?

In light of the ongoing questions regarding whether or not, the present management team are capable of progressing Saints, I ask the question, "What do you think a Saints manager has to offer to the club." In my opinion for far too many years Saints managers have neglected to grow our own home grown talent at the expense of journeymen professionals who whilst capable of doing a reasonable job, if properly coached, do not have the ability to progress further. Since Davidson, McCluskey and Griffin, we have struggled to bring any youngster through and the only time they appear to be given a chance is when injuries force it. Even if they were man of the match they then disappear from the scene. It appears that the motto has been to protect the managers job rather than improve the team, allowing that young players are variable in their performances. The play from the team in patches can be very good and enjoyable but those few moments of pass and move, creating opportunities and exposing the fralities of the opposition are seen less and less. Now it is the punt the ball and wonder in surprise as it comes straight back. The fact that players are played outwith their strengths does not help. The manager has to be a Saints supporter and while respecting the opposition, his focus should be on the positives about his own team. In essence I would like the Saints manager to have the following qualities. 1. Ability to guide all levels of the playing staff from the youngest teams through to the first team where skill and tactical knowledge are prized more highly than being able to run about. 2. To play football which involves the players being comfortable in passing and moving the ball. This does mean a lot of work on the training field but it is necessary. This also means being a good judge of a player and placing them in a role which suits their particular skill set. 3. To bring on the youngsters and give them opportunities to improve rather than bring in loanees from other clubs. This will benefit the club in the longer term. 4. To engage with the Saints fans and the local community to entice supportters back to the club. Be a positive ambassador for Saints. If the axe does fall on the present management team, I would suggest the club look at the record of Sean Dyche, the former Watford manager who was grossly unfairly treated after the takeover of the club given what he had achieved.

In my time, we have had several who were worthy of caps. Charlie McFadden and Willie Coburn were the best full back combo of their time. Just ask Henderson and the late Jinky who they hated playing against. Henry Hall. best midfielder we have had. Roddy Grant if he had had pace.

Picking on Cuthbert who is an excellent shot stopper is not looking at the real reason we lose bad goals. In recent weeks there has been one standout defender in form and four debatable form. Coyle drops the in form defender every time for his pals. How can a goalkeeper, even Alan Main at his prime deal with the missing defence? As for keeper's being lobbed, watch match of the day and sky and you see it week in week out, whenever the defence gives them time and space which we do all the time.

I can see that as this is a very important match, Coyle will only play fit players. Hardie, Scotland and Savo( with only six inches of bandages around his knee) will pass late fitness tests. Stanic will be declared fit and will use a zimmer frame for his dead leg. Saints will play with the ball in the Ayr, ground passing being ruled out as there is an unknown green substance on the pitch. I actually had a nightmare. Coyle played only fit players and the ball on the ground. The movement of fit players found space and with passing to a moving player opening more space we had shots on target at their goal and even scored three times. Must see the doctor !!!!!!

Since Sturrock left, apart from the first few months under Clark when he was able to take the team forward before the mainstays started to lose their legs, Saints have concentrated solely on survival. The proven journeymen over the potential of others. The lack of a style of play (I refuse to call punt and hope a style) has been a constant. The lack of mobility, pace, guile, set piece play etc . Has Coyle changed any of that - NO. Is there any sign of any change - NO. Can we progress without change - NO. I do not lay all the blame on Coyle. As I have said on many occasions, the manager has come and gone but the backroom staff remain. They are the one constant which does need change. The injury to Savo being the latest in a long line of Saints playing injured players till it backfires on them big style. Herts talks of a winning mentality. Saints do not have that throughout the club. Survival is all that matters. recent displays have taken the gloss off what is a poor season, in a poor league. Coyle has to address the fundamental problems within the club or go. Speaking with saints fans, many even season ticket holders are wondering why bother to turn up to a team which has no purpose or soul. That is what should be concerning Geoff Brown.

My argument is that for too long we have brought in players who have allegedy shown some form for other teams but have never been rated as players capable of progressing to higher levels. We have added experience like Sheridan who for all his assets was still going downhill in terms of pace. To build a team which can challenge in a very poor quality football environment, I would have been looking for younger players in their late teens, early 20's who had the potential to develop into the higher level player. I know they are not easy to find but given Coyle's supposed contacts I would have thought that there would have been some playing for teams other than Airdrie whom we may have managed to get. Saints had a good relationship with Newcastle and while I do not like loan players, some of their youngsters we saw at McD looked like they could have done a good job for us and themselves ala Stokes at Falkirk. I accept that a team of teenagers will not win but a team of journeymen without any pace or guile, any ability to change the game plan will not win either. A spine of experienced players and mobile, pacey skilful players, playing off them would give us an option to get to the next level. You mention that Jackson will get his chance - When? Savo, Jason have been injured for months, their play has been restricted so why have not Peaso and Jacko got a game? It does not send out a message that the manager thinks they can do a job. Lack of match fitness due no reserve football does not help any of the players coming of the bench and they will need a run. The title is gone - let's sort out the problems in the team now. Play the fringe players see if they can make the grade and improve the team.

You build a team by bringing in players who are approaching their peak not those who are past their peak. Coyle with all his alleged contacts has only brought in players who are journeymen or worse. There has been no signing which looks forward to address the glaring inadequacies of the team. Each week, the same culprits appear in the shirt, the same injured players play. What is the squad for? Why do the likes of Dyer, Jackson, Moon, Doris, McCallum NEVER appear at the start of a game (loanees I know). Coyle needs to show he is a manager and not a friend of the players. The attitude and commitment for the rest of the season must improve or else the crowds will lead us part time football.

Reading my post from Jan 2006 I do not have to change anything about the comments I made then. Therefore, NO progress has been made in my opinion. We still lack the basic fundamentals of modern football, pace, creativity, passion and fitness. If we add to those the fact in almost every second half performance we have been out coached by the opposition, I think it is fair that Saints fans are asking searching questions about the set up at McD. Can anyone truthfully say, they have seen any sign that Coyle is learning from his mistakes? With Sturrock there were signs he was getting something across to the players and we accepted that as we could see progress. Coyle has shown little sign that he has/can address our well documented weaknesses. I don't want a manager revolving door but I do want to see a team progressively being assembled that shows we could return and stay in the SPL. I do not see that presently.

Why are we playing two injured strikers? Why is Moon away on loan? We had a squad which many on this forum pointed out was the best on paper in the division yet we play the unfit, we play them out of position, week in, week out. Moon is supposed to be a flair player in the middle of the park but gets a loan move (just before he Cuthbert, Dyer, Jackson and McCallum will be released in the summer). Jackson, Peaso even Dobbie could and should have been given their chance. We have nothing to lose for this season but will again waste the opportunity to blood the youngsters and see if they can progress their game to an SPL level. We will possibly take other young players on loan who will do nothing for the long term improvement of OUR team. Each week we are found wanting especially in the second half and that points to the management - lack of ideas, lack of fitness.

I have refrained from posting for several months as I was basically tired of repeating the same criticisms and getting the same rose tinted replies. Even with Radford finally agreeing that the players from our youth system should be given a chance to replace the aging, journeymen. The one question which has hung over Saints since Sturrock's time, is the ability (or lack of it) of our coaches to improve the players. Good players have allegedly come to the club and become bad players. The lack of fitness, the lack of movement, the lack of creativity points only in one direction _ THE COACHING STAFF ARE USELESS and MUST be replaced. Coyle's position cannot be maintained long term without serious changes behind the scenes.

Bringing in Lawson and McLaren either means Coyle is changing his mind about the team and doing something about it or he now has more players he will never use. Let's hope it is the former. My team Cuthbert - better kicker and one on one than Halliwell Anderson, Rusty, James (not convinced by McManus) Sheerin, Hardie(Lawson), Mensing, Stanic, McLaren (Dyer) Scotland, Savo (Jacko) My subs are in the brackets. I have said on other posts that I would liike a look at Stanic in the left central role with Dyer giving an option with more pace moving outside him. I think Stanic has the guile we are missing. McLaren, I have not seen but I like the idea of a winger with pace and ability to cross the ball so I hope I am not jinxing him. Lawson can pass a ball according to my Celtic colleagues so maybe he can link play? Mensing is the defensive midfielder. Hardie the support runner for the front two. Right side is weak but Sheerin can be more mobile and hopefully more involved. Overall having choices is important. The team is Coyle's now, few left from the previous mismanagement except the coaches. Coyle's head is now on the block if they do not perform as per his media interviews, pass and move etc. Come on Saints

I think Radford picked it right. The 23 man squad. None of today's team are anywhere near the teams from the last two decades. That is the same for all Scotish football unfortunately. If only we had a time machine and could get the midfield back, plus the strikers, OK I'll add the keeper and the defence. My team Main, Treanor, Baltacha, Kernagan, Davidson Moore, Attila, O'Neill, O'Boyle Grant, Wright

I would look to change some of the team to try and get us playing more joined up football. Cuthbert (better kicker than Halliwell) Mensing/James/Dyer Milne, Young, Hardie, Sheerin, Stanic MacDonald, Jackson I would like to see if Dyer Stanic can combine to produce a threat from the left which may allow Sheerin more freedom to roam the middle. I think Hardie and Young are capable defensively to handle Elgin. Lawrie has been poor and Milne work rate and pace just give him the chance above Moon or Doris. With MacDonald and Jackson surely we play the ball on the deck. (please)

It is to soon to call for his head. But, if he does not show he is learning by dropping, changing players who are not performing then there will be more calls. We keep hearing how popular he is with the players, sometimes as manager you have to kick butt. He needs to do that now and get the players to play on the ground not the punt. That will show our skills and create chances we should be capable of taking. Long unbeaten runs mean nothing, if they are only draws. wins win the prizes.

Coyle needs to show that he is learning and capable of getting his players to improve. I have not seen much evidence of players improving under him. I still think the main cause (to give Coyle a chance) is the backroom staff he and other managers have inherited. The style of play has not changed since Sandy Clark who had them here as his assistants or player. We can all disagree about players, I would put Stanic more central with Dyer behind for instance. Sheerin to take the free kicks,set pieces not Sheridan, Mensing not Sheridan to protect the defence. But the responsiblity is Coyle's. Performances like todays means less fans at the next match, more chances of part time football.

Fortunately, it seems due to work, I missed this match. However, the same themes keep appearing after every match, - no pace, no guile, no clue, no support. The squad we have "on paper" should be capable of better. If they are not performing, why do they play? Remember Sturrock took the advice from a Mr Ferguson - if they won't play the way you want, say goodbye to them. Against Clyde we played some good football on the ground, passing around and moving. When we show that worked, we resorted to the punt to the diddy men. The culprits at this club have not changed and the changes are needed behind the scenes. If the coaches cannot see that Sheridan has gone, Mensing/Sheridan cannot play together, the lack of width and pace, which strikers work together, why are they with us? Geoff Brown wants the fans back but how many returned today after the Clyde match? The product on the pitch has to bring the fans in at the prices charged. The season is not over yet but Colye has to address the continuing problems. The players brought in against the players he has released is in my opinion, in the negative bracket.

We need some pace and movement, too much today was stop and start. In othe thread I have put the case for Stanic coming into the Sheerin role with Dyer being the wing back. Not sure about Lawrie, first time I have seen him and he seldom looked like winning the ball from the only Saints bye kick routine. The spanich winger or the norwegian youngster may not have what Coyle is looking for or maybe they just showed up how pedestrian this team is. midfield tuesday - Milne, Hardie, Young, Stanic, Dyer Up front - MacDonald, Scotland

Last season report- lace of pace, lack of vision, lack of support Nice to see Coyle has addressed that in the off season. How can a "professional" manager believe that Weir was able to play. Was he judging him playing against himself? Halliwell's kicking does not inspire confidence yet in his limited training session, he had learnt the Saints bye kick routine. Find their left back. Lawrie is not a wing back on that performance. Sheridan is a season too long in the sun. As said previously, why did Sheridan take the free kicks and corners, all to the same target, all poor balls when alegedly there are others like Stanic, Sheerin who can take those. (Sorry, I forgot, we only practice one routine a season) Several changes with Rusti and Hardie available but I would like to consider is, playing Dyer at wing back and moving Stanic to the Sheerin role. More guile with Stanic, more pace with Dyer. Young for Sheridan. Up front a finisher is required, time for Jackson perhaps? The season is not over but we have to play to our strengths, which today was on the ground, pass and move. Thirty seconds of that and they had had enough.

Mainstand I was shouting to both Cuthbert and the team in general to keep the ball on the deck but not from a bye kick, when it was played back or came through. The tactic of punting high balls to a diddy forward line means only one thing, we lose possession and the ball comes back onto the defence straight away. The only times we showed anything was when the ball was played on the deck. As for Hannah, I seldom saw him last year and I do not think I pick on any player. I may be wrong. I do not scream abuse at the players, I may vent my feelings amongst my friends at the ground. I do applaud ALL good moves or attempts at good play. I support the team during the match but reserve the right after a gutless performance like yesterdays to give vent to my feelings, like many more.

Mainstand I was that clown who shouted at Cuthbert to keep the ball on the deck as he had the option to do so and the long high ball to the right wing to Stevenson has never produced anything the whole season. When we did keep the ball on the deck we did cause them minor problems. I also shouted frequently for Anderson, Rusti etc to play the ball to feet and not to our Giants of forwards. Several times Cuthbert punted to Stevenson when Stanic was wide open on the left. This must be a training ground ploy which is sucessful against our defence then but not in an actual game. As for Gretna they had done their homework and defended this Saints set piece. So who is the clown? The one who spots the obvious or those who do not?

Cagey I agree with your assessment of the players brought in by Coyle. Only Sheridan and Stanic get pass marks. The rest have been worse than the players let go. At least Forsyth, Malone and Baxter would have fought for the cause. It is continually pointed out that the players released have not become great players at other teams. I would not have expected any to be so but I expected several to become good, solid performers and the likes of Fotheringham to have that bit extra class and skill. Why do Saints produce nothing from their youth set up? Why do young players appear and fade? Add to that, why do players brought in with a good CV become bad players overnight? Something is badly wrong behind the pitch at McD. There has to be a cull of the back room staff, a technical coach, tactically aware and ABLE to get that across to the players is desperately needed. Someone to IMPROVE the players. Who that person is, I do not know but he or she is not on the staff at the moment. Until we can improve the players we have (they are not going to leave willingly) and stop destroying them we are going nowhere. The board and Coyle have to act. At yesterday's match, I observed to my friend beside me before Sheerin took a free kick, that Sheerin's body language showed he did not think he could play a good ball and so it transpired. Nothing unusual but as said already on this thread, we all know the only change to the team will be Coyle for Jackson against Clyde. Coyle must show some steel and drop those with little or no confidence. So that would be at least 5 changes. Anderson, James, Henry, Sheerin, Scotland,

Firstly, why is there this he is only a young manager and will make mistakes acceptable when he/we do not apply that to playing youngsters in the team. The youngsters who have got a game have not been any worse than Coyle's favourites. While I accept that any manager needs time, by now he should have a pattern of play developed, a level of fitness and tactical awareness, a range of set pieces and some positions in the team with recognised players who have made progress on their skills etc. I see none of that. There has been no progress in our "team". The same mistakes, lack of support to players, lack of tactics and set plays (as shown yesterday with two chances for Fotheringham to strike the ball given up for made up nonsense). I think he must be given more time but I am not convinced he has it. His screaming at the players rather than directing the players how to play the ball points to lack of "coaching" ability. I hope I am wrong. The backroom staff must all be replaced, not just hang around with someone else in to help.

I like the idea but I don't think the players do. After all, yesterday they played to get a day off

After a three hour drive home, I am still debating what is the best thing to do. For a number of years, on various forums I have commented on the need for physical fitness (severely lacking), playing the ball on the deck( what's that green stuff for) using pace and movement into space (why not just stand by their defenders saves any effort). We have changed managers but never touched the backroom staff. If after yet another woeful, dire, pub team (sorry to genuine pub teams) performance Geoff Brown cannot see that he can change the manager, change the players but they are still being "coached" (poetic licence) by the same numpties, producing the same result. I have called like BH for a foreign coach and the reason is simple, we need someone who can "COACH" skills, like passing the ball, movement, intelligent use of the ball. The Largs coaching set up does not in my opinion do that. Gretna today were not brilliant, they did not have to be. They were just fitter, more alert, played to their strengths, passed and moved. They were first to every second phase ball. They had a game plan and were organised for set pieces etc. None of which could be said for Saints. Saints had a team and subs which suprised me, only in the fact that there was only the one change following the derby and Airdrie performances. To not have Doris or McManus but include a struggling Scrabble makes me wonder what if anything Coyle does to make players want to play for the first team. He plays the same culprits week after week, woeful performance following woeful performance. It must be galling for Tommy Campbell to see players not being given any chance at all in these circumstances. Coyle has for me to the end of the season to show that he can be a good manager. That means, sorting out his mistakes, players and backroom staff. Producing a team that plays modern, passing, flowing football. It also means using the youngsters and not as I hear basically ignoring them and concentrating on "his" players. If Coyle fails to make the changes everyone on the terraces know are necessary then he will fail as a manager and we will continue our decline. I hope his press comments are followed up by changes and that he can turn this club around. Stability of managers is necessary for the well being of every team but only ones who improve the club and the players. The east stand was nearly full from my position but many fans brought in by the romance of the cup and the