SaintJet

5 hours ago, Cagey said:

Do you think there will be nearly 2000 there on a cold February wednesday night. Lucky if there is a thousand.

Guys also like to make a day of it on a Saturday. A day in a big city and lots of bevvy.

I agree it will hit the gate being midweek but I was thinking you were alluding to the fact it was Valentines day and I was being facetious.

By the way, I work in Dundee and believe me my Dee collegaues were not impressed either with the cancellation. The local bars took a big hit with the game being off having drafted in extra staf etc. It was a real shame.

On 1/5/2024 at 4:54 PM, Cagey said:

Wed 14th February 7.45.

I think there will be a few refunds required. 

Why?

We kind of started our renaissance with a long over due win at home to Killie and gave us the merest glimpse that we might be able to stay in the league.

Playing Killie at their place is a different proposition, they have a good home record and have great wide players so we could be under the hammer from early on.

I've given up guessing what team we will put out but assume Kane will start up front. I don't see Clark getting risked on the plastic pitch.

By the way my back is still fu**ed but you lot couldn't give a monkeys!

Hope you all have a great Christmas starting with the gift of a win on Saturday.

I thought it was a decent performance and real shame we lost a sloppy goal when we did, you could feel the naitives getting restless. The sending off was the end of it.

One thing which is not in doubt is that we are completely different team fitness wise and players are able to go a little further and this will continue.

Lets move on.

1 hour ago, blueheaven said:

I definitely feel we can get something out of this. We need to try to find the right balance between stifling/frustrating them, and not just sitting back on our 18-yard line and letting them come at us. 

I reckon we might start Kane ahead of DJ in this one and have minimal other changes. Personally I'd also sacrifice Max in order to bring Sprangler into the midfield for this one (even though I thought Max had a great game against Hibs).

Levein's teams have been hard to predict though, so there's every chance he makes a couple of unexpected changes.

Can't see Max getting dropped he had a decent game on Saturday. I have a feeling he'll go with the same starting line up and hope Kano can come on and grab a goal late on. Discipline is going to be the key in this game. We can't be giving Rangers free kicks around the box.

Laid up with a slipped disc so I’ll keep this short. 
Tough ask to get something out of this when Rangers have the other team in their sights plus back from their league cup win.

Hope we shock them.

Discuss

Rearranged from the holiday weekend on the 30th - mixed feelings on this one for me; good to have a game this weekend but will miss the festive cheer later.

Another tough game for us but a game we really need to be taking something from with tough and potentially pivitol fixtures looming over the holiday period.

Got to think Levein will again sit in again and hope to settle into the game and get the defence comfortable. Hibs have some weapons and it's important we don't lose an early goal.

Still think this might be too soon for Clark so chance again for Kano and Jais to show some poise and get a couple of goals.

That was brutal. There is no other way to describe it. Freezing night watching players pass the ball away to the opposition! At times you wondered if they actually knew each other.

The first half was pure purgitory and I was worried that St.Mirren started to push their line up further and further as the game went on and they really felt they were going get the win - that was miss of the season by the lad hitting the post with the open goal!

The defense looked pretty good at the back and McGowan and Gordon have really improved with the new manager. Brown puts in an honest shift and to be fair he knows his limitations and plays to them. I hate slating players but I don't want to see Gallacher back in the line up! He was lost and was as nevous as a kitten all night. We have to have someone better surely. Sprangler slipped in seamlessly and hope he continues starting. Jais up front was dissapointing after his decent game on Sunday and he was out muscled all night - I expeceted more from him.

Second half was slightly better but we need width desperatley and we need to get Clark back fit. Drey and Clark will improve this team.

The quality of the pen summed up the night but who cares - 3 massive points and every positive result improves the confidence and outlook of the players.

Games coming thick and fast at this time of year so we should have an idea where Levein is leaning regarding his selections.

St.Mirren have been in good form this year but have suffered the odd bump in the road and we're hoping they hit another crater in Perth tomorrow evening.

Suspect the team will be along the same lines as Sunday maybe with Kane up front with Jais.

Wrap up if your going.

1 hour ago, blueheaven said:

I think we can get something out of this one but I'm really looking for Levein to respond to what's happening on the pitch and make changes when they're needed. Against Hearts we survived a few warnings which allowed us to keep it at 0-0 for an hour, but Celtic are far more likely to punish us.

Same as I'd have done last week, I'd stick Kane up front on his own for this one and ask Smith and Carey (if available) to get forward in support. Bring Sprangler back into the team so him and Phillips can protect the defence together.

Are Brown and Considine ruled out? If so I'm a bit worried about our wide areas for this one. Starting a game like this one with Costelloe and Gallacher as our wing-backs isn't ideal. I'd be tempted to bring Olufunwa back into the team to play on the right.

I agree with Olufunwa going back in to the team.

I detect a serious lack of interest in this game among Saints fans.

Can't see us getting anything - wish list - no injuries, keep the loss down to a goal and hope no damage to the stadium. Move on.

After a ropey start I thought we settled in to the game well and could easily have taken the lead. We looked composed at the back and Liam looks much happier with McGown back there - I was surprised Conso lasted until half time he was really struggling. There was some neat interchange of play from back to front and  I thought Robinson and Smith looked excellent and really pose a threat. 

It's stating the obvious but we need to find another striker; May and Kane ploughed away all day and if we can unearth another threat they too will start to score goals.

Regarding the inactivity from the bench I have to let the manager use his expereince here. We were never out of the game and after Hearts had fluked that goal it was time to settle down and see if we could snatch a late goal. We're not exactly stacked with game changers either. 

All in all I left not too downhearted ( no pun) - we matched Hearts all afternoon and there was very little between the team sitting fourth and eleventh. Another good turn out from our fans too well done. 

My final reflection is that if anyone needs to be convinced why we must stay in this league it's a trip to Tynecastle - brilliant stadium, the pitch was like a bowling green and they have outstanding support - fair play - its a totally different experience to going to the old firm which I detest.  

10 hours ago, templeofsaints said:

Front section tickets on sale tomorrow 10am online only.

Got one! There were 10 left at time of writing but suspect they will be gone now.

On 11/13/2023 at 9:23 PM, R.B.B:- Adz said:

Tickets go on sale for this tomorrow…

Initially to season ticket holders and then general sale if they don’t sell out.

Levein’s return to Tynecastle should be interesting if nothing else. Would really put some noses out of joint if we went there and beat them.

Away tickets sold out! The message from the Official Site is they are waiting on further allocation of tickets.

Is there any realistic chance that more will become available?

21 hours ago, Strawman said:

This makes no sense to me, leaves us with no home games over the festive period and 4 away games in a row.

I already thought the holiday fixtures were poor but now no home game at all.

Maybe I’m wrong but do we not get better crowds at these games, people that live elsewhere coming home for Xmas etc

Yes, I agree with you here; a real dissapointment not having a fixture on the 23rd. I always think there is a great vibe about the place that time of year and make a point of getting a lift in to Perth with my wife  early and hit the Royal and the ship for a couple before the match. Most clubs enjoy the extra attandance these festive fixtures bring.

For sure the New year fixture at Dens will be near capacity I suspect.

I think it's a matter of time before Robson at Aberdeen is a goner! He's already getting grief and if it wasn't for happless HIbs he'd be gone now. The cup final will keep him in a job and then after the H uns pump them he'll be getting it in the neck. 

2 hours ago, SlickDT said:

Also noticed Kirk regularly discussing things with Cleland. It seems to me like he is being treated more as a key part of the set-up, as opposed to previous regimes. That's simply from looking from the outside in. Maybe still relying on his knowledge of the players, that they lack.

That's a great point. Cleland is well liked by the players and works hard with them so it must be great to have his opinion valued by the new management team- sure it gives him a  real boost.

38 minutes ago, blueheaven said:

I think there have been a couple of goals where it could be argued he might have done better, but on the whole he's been absolutely brilliant. Amazing shot-stopping, comfortable with the ball at his feet, commands the defence. I think he's been our best signing in years.

I like Mitrov but he's still a bit raw and naive at times when coming out for balls and seems to get caught in two minds about whether to catch or punch the ball away. There is no doubt he's a good safe pair of hands and he likes to get the ball downfield quickly. I have been a bit nervous when the ball is passed back to him with an opposition player bearing down on him if I'm honest but he's going to get better as he learns frantic Scottish football.

I will say though he has already aquired a brilliant rapport with the fans and you can see he enjoys playing for us. He's going to be a fans favourite for a long time. 

Brilliant win. I was beginning to think it wouldn't happen but well done to the team for chipping away and taking a brilliant goal when the chance arrived. Lots of positives to take from the game.

Defence looked the best it has this season; that's not to say they are good by any means but everyone knew their job and did the simple things first. Row Z - all day. It let's everyone regroup and organised. Liam is defending first and looks happier with settled team mates around him, Conso looked comfortable all game and didn't seem so out of position like he has and he stuck to what he's good at getting the ball away from our goal!  McGown was immense; real credit to him for keeping himself match fit whilst he was on the naughty step for what ever reason, he's fitted in seamlessley.

I've said already that Carey looks more settled whilst he's not trying to do everything and he gave a very mature performance on Saturday capped by a brilliant goal. Great Credit to him with his personal family issues on his mind.

Everyone worked really hard including the forwards who never gave up chasing down the opponents and unsettling them. This is our calling card and it's great to see it again!

My MOTM was Dan "Wrecking Ball" Philips- I'm on record for calling him out on being a bit too robust in the tackle but he found the correct balance on Saturday and his driving energy rubbed off on everyone. He's going to be a big player for us this season.

I'm happy with where we are at after how the season started and although it's going to be a battle, we look like we have someone in place who can knit these players into a decent outfit.

1 hour ago, The Kinross Saint said:

I'm sorry but we don't need someone who runs (throws) themselves to the ground and celebrates excitedly if they're not producing enough quality. We're way past being sentimental if we want to stay in the league. 

If it's the case he'd score with service then why didn't he? Clark is managing it.

Sentiment has nothing to do with it. May is more than capable of scoring goals in this league and will do.

But the whole point of a forum is to let everyone have their point of view and you are entitled to yours- I do think you could could choose your words better to reflect the guys contribution to us over the years.

Biggest game of the season - no other way to descibe this! This could be a pivitol game this early in the season.

Ross come here on the back of a series of draws and to be fair they really should have won a coulpe of them. Their forwards are lively and we will have our hands full keeping them honest. 

I'd expect a similar starting line up for us as Tuesday and we should start to see the new managers strategy on how we are you going set up and manage this game.

Huge game and this could set the tone for our season.

Reminder to get in a wee bit earlier as we will be honouring our fallen service men and women. Hope the PR System has been tested out and no repeat of last year.

56 minutes ago, blueheaven said:

Our Christmas-ish fixtures are an absolute b*stard now. Between 9th December and the winter break, we play six games and five of them are away from home.

 

We are really going to be tested throughout December starting with a visit from Celtic on the 3rd.

13 hours ago, The Kinross Saint said:

Really hard to take. Losing a two goal lead always is. I thought we were fine in the first half despite trying our best to play motherwell in with some bizarre passes at the back. Nicky Clark seems to be the only St Johnstone player who can win a header in an attacking situation, we need him to get fit and stay fit however unlikely that is.

Kane was also his usual presence and he’s another we need to have any kind of outlet. May is finished, he’s more interested in pathetic play acting and he just offers nothing. His headed chance towards the end was really poorly taken.
 

I get the frustration at the lack of substitutions but we really have nothing on the bench, we’re so poor that we essentially are trying to stay up on the assumption that we keep a starting 11 fit. 
 

I really like Smith and Sprangler but they both seemed to panic towards the end and the passing got slacker and slacker. They do give me hope for the future though. Phillips is a walking red card especially with VAR desperate to judge on still images. 
 

Saturday is huge and a must win.

I think this so unfair on Steve May. He works hard in training everyday, always makes himeself avialable , just gets on with it and comes on and runs himself in to the ground with very little service.

I can guarantee that he if he was playing in a side that had plenty service to it's forwards he'd score barrowloads.

He's still a team player and if you watch him celebrating a goal even if he's in the dugout it confirms that he is still very much a Saint.

Watched the brief Highlights on the Beeb and the second goal was awful. As soon as they broke down our left we were exposed and Conso was left flapping in the slipstream of the 'Well goal scorer.

We need to get toget our right side fixed at the back. Ross will be all over that and targeting their attacks down there.

Levein will know this of course and in the limited time he has I would expect him to figure something out.

37 minutes ago, Gas Monkey said:

He saw the best and worst of us in one game, that’s not a bad thing IMO

Good point