Saints v Ross County


GMac

Recommended Posts

I would think that Simo will have been sitting in one of the lounges doodling on a bit of paper. He’ll have mistakenly forgot to put the paper in an bin and it will have been picked up by Kirk or Cleland and the fact it contained a list of names in a particular formation which happens to be how Saints line up today will be totally coincidental.😉😉😉😉

Edited by glenrothes saintee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari not fully ‘hands-on’, says Andy Kirk, but he’s getting his messages across

The Finn is still waiting for a work permit to be granted.

 

Simo Valakari has yet to get fully “hands-on” at St Johnstone.

But not being able to take training at McDiarmid Park or sit in the dugout for the Perth side’s clash with Ross County hasn’t prevented the head coach from starting the new era from a distance, according to caretaker boss, Andy Kirk.

“He’s obviously got his own ideas,” said Kirk, who will be in charge for a fourth Premiership game on Saturday, while Valakari’s wait for a work permit stretches into a third week

 

“I’m in constant contact with him.

“My job and Alex’s (fellow coach, Alex Cleland) job over the last week or so has been to put on the training sessions based on the ideas he’d like to implement before he can actually start.

“We video the training anyway, so we’re able to let him watch that. We’ve been talking with him two, three times a day. He’s been happy with what he’s seen.

“The lads have performed well in training. The energy levels are high.

“There’s a sense of excitement from them. He is watching and it’s up to them to catch his eye and make sure they’re part of things moving forward.”

Kirk added: “He’s been able to have good, honest conversations with myself about the team.

“When he’s able to really get hands-on he can get his message across in-depth.

“But he’s been very pleased with what he’s seen so far.”

Benji Kimpioka and Makenzie Kirk were handed wide roles in the second half of Saints’ last game, against Rangers.

There were no goals or points but the attacking promise felt like a corner turned.

“It worked out pretty well at Ibrox when we changed the shape a bit and went with a back four and pushed further forward,” said Kirk.

 

“We want to attack. Benji is back, Adama (Sidibeh) is available. We’ve got speed in the front line.

“Nicky (Clark) is a threat in and around the goal. We want to keep him as high as possible in the game.

“It would be great for everybody to get a win. It’s going to be difficult. Ross County are a difficult team to play against.

“We were disappointed last time. Although a point up there even when you’re full strength is decent, the way the game finished was extremely disappointing.

“Getting three points at home would be massive, just to give everyone a little lift before the manager can officially start.”

Free agents

Like Valakari, new centre-back, Bozo Mikulic, doesn’t yet have a work permit so won’t feature against County.

“Bozo has a little bit of fitness work to do,” said Kirk. “We’ve also got to get his clearance before that’s finalised.

“He’s a big lad, good on the ball, really strong. Hopefully that gives us another option in the back line.

“It’s free agents we need to sign so if there are ones out there and we’re not sure then we can bring them in for training.

“Hopefully we can find them and they can help us in the short term.”

 

Okay stating the obvious we'd rather have Simo in full control today, but I feel better knowing he's giving some sort of "input" into training and possibly today's game. Is it breaking the rules if he gives Kirk a burner phone to relay messages to him from the stands today 🤔 🤣

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Half time, never felt so relaxed on a saturday, dog wagging its tail instead of hiding under couch.

This doubled headed striking partnership is our path, Adama makes such a difference, and even though Benji is raw still, he's constantly making runs opening up county. Also, Matt Smith, last few games and today, always in the mix and plays his heart out.

Everything suddenly feels positive, loving this Simo interview at half time!

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, pezza70 said:

Please please please 2/0 up against 10 men, cmon Saintees don’t sit back and protect this lead, keep playing some footy and keep our knees on their throats.

Down to 9 now

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...