Saints v Aberdeen 5/8/24


glenrothes saintee

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Aberdeen should have been out of sight in that game. They hardly had to play in the second half and still managed to cut through us with ease.

We really lack quality and composure, the ball was bouncing off players, too many simple balls over hit, too many wild crosses and long balls. Basic football stuff.

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Positives: some players really shone. Raymond's crossing was mostly excellent, and made some outstanding tackles. Smith had his best game for us and was MoM. Rae made some good saves. Kimpioka had some moments and was running the length of the pitch to tackle when he lost the ball. Essel looked a bit more disciplined. Cameron looked solid. Kirk looked lively when he came on. Aberdeen have some quality players and will do really well this season, they didn't play us off the park, we held our own and could've drawn. We went for it, and made an exciting game. Under Davidson we'd have sat back and said "a 2-0 loss ain't too bad". We have pace in parts of the pitch we haven't for a while, and it made a difference. We look fitter and leaner.

Negatives: we shouldn't be losing goals from set pieces like that. It then led to them being able to hit us on the break for the second. McClelland looked really dodgy, Sanders a slight improvement perhaps. Sidebeh just not at it today, quite a few misplaced passes, and he just shoots whenever he gets the chance rather than bringing in other players. MacPherson is just Macpherson. Wright was anonymous - looks slow and seemed to be niggling other players, pushing and tripping out of frustration. Not enough link up between midfield and strikers.

Overall, the difference with this team is that when we go down, we actually look like we might have a chance of equalising, which hasn't been the case for a long time. I think we need to work on our strengths - getting the ball out to the wingers and crossing into the box. Smith needs to be playing a bit further forward to link with the strikers. With a more defensive midfielder like Sprangler replacing MacPherson, that would allow this to happen. If we play like that against the Ross Countys and Motherwell's of this league, then we'd be doing ok this season.

 

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6 minutes ago, pezza70 said:

Did any of the new boys stand up and show they are potentially SPL standard or are they championship level too?

 

Yes - Raymond, Cameron and Kirk were very good. Rae made an excellent save although isn't exactly commanding with crosses. Essel showed promise.

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1 hour ago, Bruno Strasser said:

Watching in Munich

Where was the Defence for their goal? Nobody on the back post. They will sit back now and hit us on the break.

Exactly what happened. Along with diving and time wasting and Shinnie is a scumbag who refereed the game

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Thats the best I've seen Smith play. Keep that standard and he's worth a jersey.

Defensively....hmmmm...real problem with McClelland and Neilson. Be kind to Neilson and say its the lack of game time in pre-season. Far too many times Aberdeen were able to  play right through us and they had three or four times where we had to rely on last ditch challenges to avoid a one-on-one with the keeper. Rae did make a good save from one that he was left to deal with. Cameron's faffing led to the second, but other than that I thought he had a decent game. Raymond is game for his size, but I still think that will be something teams focus on.

Essel is a walking card, much like Phillips was early in his career.

Up front we tried but didn't ask enough questions of Mitov overall.

Performance going forward gives me hope....performance defensively not so much.

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McLelland apparently ruptured his Achilles. So that'll be another defender needed.

Thought there were a few positives tonight. We lost a couple of poor goals and dawdled goo much on the ball at times but the players all put in plenty of effort and the fitness seems to be a big improvement over last season.

Essel and Raymond did well especially after what looked to be soft bookings. Smith easily our best player. Wright seems to be less effective than when he had Keltjens playing behind him. And Kirk looks like he has a lot of potential 

 

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2 minutes ago, Cagey said:

Sprangler must be a poor trainer or doesn't treat the coaches with respect , none of which I believe , to not get in that team ahead of McPherson who keeps turning into trouble instead of playing an easy pass. Plus he can't tackle.

I just don't see what Mcpherson brings. Poor set piece delivery, looses the ball too often and too often  out of position.

On the whole tonight I'd say marginal improvement. I go to football to be entertained and feel, the 2nd half especially, I saw lots to get excited about.

Defence realky suspect and very little coming from midfield.

Smith was excellent, Raymond looked assured and the forwards worked their socks off. Bit need more quality in the passes and movement....we saw from the goal what a quality pass and simple run can get us.

Still think it'll be a long season but at least we'll maybe see some shots on goal at least.

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I can do without fancy tellys, an improved muirton suit experience, a shop in town or a jombotron scoreboard.  I will happily keep running the gauntlet of a dented alloy or broken ankle in the carpark. I can even do without blue seats.....

Just so long as I never need to see Cammy McPherson be 5 yards behind play, fall on his arse or just stand there simply watching ever again

We need to get 3 or 4 real players in or all the glitter will not sparkle up this turd.

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Defence is a problem. Playing a back 3 with the players we have is a problem. Aberdeen played the ball through us loads of times. Neilson might not be up to speed yet but jury still out.

Midfield is a problem. McPherson is the problem.

Not sure if Benji and Adama work well together. Both want to score when a pass is probably the best option.

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