Dundee Utd. V St.Johnstone - Saturday 12th April

[SaintJet]

Following our sensational win at home to Celtic we travel to Dundee to visit our neighbours Utd.

The Terrors are home and hosed safely in the top six and have aspirations to get the passports out again - ( good luck with that ).

I recall the first game at Tannadice with Levein in control and after a pretty assured start I was convinced we would go on to win; alas it was a false dawn and we fell apart with Adama getting the Carton Rougue treatment after being wound up by the sneaky but streetwise Utd. heavies. More than any early game it struck me that we would be in the mire this year.           However, new team, new objective - 'in the system we trust'.

You'd need a to be a clairvoyant to predict what team is going out but I would assume the same starting 11 from the Celtic game minus Dre sadly and I'd be happt to see Sprangler back too.

Hard work in the trenches with a potent strike force could get us a return from this game and see us have something positive to aim for.

[R.B.B:- Adz]

Tickets:

https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/tickets/away-club-online-ticket-hub?ftredirect=1

[sane_tee]

Has there been an update on Drey? Hope it's not too bad, he was immense on Sunday

[R.B.B:- Adz]

5 minutes ago, sane_tee said:

Has there been an update on Drey? Hope it's not too bad, he was immense on Sunday

To lose Drey and Mikulic when we finally look like a competent football team would just be our luck!

[Cagey]

33 minutes ago, sane_tee said:

Has there been an update on Drey? Hope it's not too bad, he was immense on Sunday

Can't see him being back for United but hopefully back for semi final.

Don't know if Douglas is available for Saturday , if not then I don't know who plays LB/LCB.

[Nat King Goals]

44 minutes ago, sane_tee said:

Has there been an update on Drey? Hope it's not too bad, he was immense on Sunday

Apparently very bad swelling and ankle sprain. Depends on severity of sprain as could be anything from 10 days to 3 months.

[Northern saint]

We need three points, simple.  Whoever needs to come in due to others not being available must work and die for the cause.  The same commitment is required from everyone not matter the time they enter the field.  

It's tempting to say play the same team but with potentially players missing due to injury, the replacements may not work with that team.  I would contemplate replacing Kirk with Clark in a number 9 role around the box.  Kirk's energy later on could be a factor.  This week's training should be making the strikers shoot on sight.  Too many touches cost chances on Sunday.  

Each team has had a run of wins this season except Saints.  Number two on our way to seven in a row would be great.

[templeofsaints]

9 hours ago, Nat King Goals said:

Apparently very bad swelling and ankle sprain. Depends on severity of sprain as could be anything from 10 days to 3 months.

Courier reporting damaged ankle ligaments - unlikely to be back this season.

[HOODLUM65]

Yes, a victory is a must.

Hibs at home to Dundee on Sunday.

C.o.y.s.

C.o.y.Hibees.

[RandomGuy]

Courier reporting Drey Wright has ankle ligament damage and is out for the season.

...

[Graeme S]

"Drey Wright sustained ankle ligament damage against Celtic and is likely to miss the rest of St Johnstone’s season.

The 29-year-old was helped off the McDiarmid Park pitch by medical staff on Sunday and replaced by Taylor Steven midway through the second half.

Perth boss Simo Valakari revealed Wright is clinging to hope he might be fit to return late in the relegation fight.

However, he admitted ‘it doesn’t look good’ and bemoaned having to go without Wright’s versatility and experience down the stretch.

“Drey doesn’t have a fracture but he’s badly damaged his ankle ligaments,” reported Valakari.“

If he can still play a part this season, it would be a big bonus for us.

“It’s a real blow, Drey has been very good for us this season playing in a lot of different positions.“

First of all, he’s a good player. But he also has a lot of experience and that has been important.

“He’s filled in a lot of gaps and put in a high level of performance.

“But it’s football, we need other people to step up and take that responsibility now.

“It’s a blow for us and a bigger blow for Drey because he’s desperate to help the team.

“He is experienced, he understands this is part of the game at times but, of course, he is disappointed.

“At the same time, he’s not given up on the season yet. He says he is a fast healer so he will be trying to get back.”

Replacement plan

Wright, who missed eight months of last season with an ACL injury, made his 38th appearance of 2024/25 in the shock 1-0 success over Celtic.

Barry Douglas missed out against the champions but is expected to return – and likely replace Wright at left-back – against his former club Dundee United on Saturday.“

Barry is okay, we played a bounce game between ourselves and he played in that,” Valakari added."

 

[Cagey]

Huge loss,best player on the park on Sunday . Will miss his composure and skill on Sunday and the chance of another shock is gone.

Hopefully have enough in the rest of the squad to see us through o end of season.

[Smarmy Arab]

Make no mistake we want the points, and this team are due home fans a performance after the most insipid derby show for 5 decades last time out at Tannadice. A win will have us equal 3rd at 5pm.  
 

 

[SaintJet]

51 minutes ago, Smarmy Arab said:

Make no mistake we want the points, and this team are due home fans a performance after the most insipid derby show for 5 decades last time out at Tannadice. A win will have us equal 3rd at 5pm.  
 

 

Smarmy! We Saints fans are due a 5 star performance and a cushion going in to the last knockings instead of sweating the last 10 minutes wanting the ref to blow up.

I'd take the draw if i was you.

[sixties saintee]

3 hours ago, Smarmy Arab said:

Make no mistake we want the points, and this team are due home fans a performance after the most insipid derby show for 5 decades last time out at Tannadice. A win will have us equal 3rd at 5pm.  
 

 

Ain't gonna happen smarmy

[Smarmy Arab]

3 hours ago, sixties saintee said:

Ain't gonna happen smarmy

Love you optimism!  Good luck!😊

[Smarmy Arab]

6 hours ago, SaintJet said:

Smarmy! We Saints fans are due a 5 star performance and a cushion going in to the last knockings instead of sweating the last 10 minutes wanting the ref to blow up.

I'd take the draw if i was you.

A draw at home to the side bottom of the league?  I’ll take my chances on the day!😉

[pezza70]

I just hope the lads heads are grounded and they are switched on, a win against Celtic was brilliant, but we need to back it up again this weekend.

Its easy to play a game that no one expected to get anything from, now the pressure is on.

COYS

[IBEX1251]

3 POINTS... 

See you there... 

SJFC X

[Aitchy]

Will be interesting to see what Simo does tomorrow. Stick with the 4-4-2 or go to three at the back. I would stick with the 4-4-2 and put Barry Douglas in for Drew Wright. Slightly concerned about Douglas' lack of pace, but he has shown that he can use his experience to read the game well and not get caught out. I wouldn't be convinced with Taylor Steven at left back.

Dalby evidently the big threat for United, but Mitchell and Baldois are building a good partnership and both are decent in the air. United's centre backs are very good in the air and physical, so will need Adama to put in a similar battling performance as last week. 

Surprised at ticket sales so far, thought we would have sold more, but appreciate its an expensive month with the semi final. Hopefully there is late surge today and tomorrow morning. 

[Cagey]

1 hour ago, Aitchy said:

Will be interesting to see what Simo does tomorrow. Stick with the 4-4-2 or go to three at the back. I would stick with the 4-4-2 and put Barry Douglas in for Drew Wright. Slightly concerned about Douglas' lack of pace, but he has shown that he can use his experience to read the game well and not get caught out. I wouldn't be convinced with Taylor Steven at left back.

Dalby evidently the big threat for United, but Mitchell and Baldois are building a good partnership and both are decent in the air. United's centre backs are very good in the air and physical, so will need Adama to put in a similar battling performance as last week. 

Surprised at ticket sales so far, thought we would have sold more, but appreciate its an expensive month with the semi final. Hopefully there is late surge today and tomorrow morning. 

Apparently United sold out. Let's get an early goal and quient them.

[R.B.B:- Adz]

3 hours ago, Aitchy said:

Will be interesting to see what Simo does tomorrow. Stick with the 4-4-2 or go to three at the back. I would stick with the 4-4-2 and put Barry Douglas in for Drew Wright. Slightly concerned about Douglas' lack of pace, but he has shown that he can use his experience to read the game well and not get caught out. I wouldn't be convinced with Taylor Steven at left back.

Both Barry Douglas(vs United particularly) and Taylor Steven give me the fear in there.

Id be tempted to move Sprangler back in there and go with Balodis, Mitchell and Sprangler.

                        Fisher

      Mitchell Sprangler Balodis

Curtis                                Duke-McKenna 

       Holt        Griffiths     Carey

                 Kirk      Sidibeh

- Kucheryavyi, Watt, Svedberg and Kimpioka can’t be trusted in such a big game.

- McPake, Smith, Ikpeazu aren’t in contention at all.
 

That leaves only other options for a starting berth as Douglas, Franczak, Steven and Clark - I don’t see any of them as better options that what I have suggested.

Edited April 11, 2025 by R.B.B:- Adz

[Aitchy]

33 minutes ago, R.B.B:- Adz said:

Both Barry Douglas(vs United particularly) and Taylor Steven give me the fear in there.

Id be tempted to move Sprangler back in there and go with Balodis, Mitchell and Sprangler.

                        Fisher

      Mitchell Sprangler Balodis

Curtis                                Duke-McKenna 

       Holt        Griffiths     Carey

                 Kirk      Sidibeh

- Kucheryavyi, Watt, Svedberg and Kimpioka can’t be trusted in such a big game.

- McPake, Smith, Ikpeazu aren’t in contention at all.
 

That leaves only other options for a starting berth as Douglas, Franczak, Steven and Clark - I don’t see any of them as better options that what I have suggested.

Its not great, is it? United seem to utilise their wing backs really well to get crosses into Dalby so we are going to need to be strong. I would rather have Douglas in there as he is a good organiser and a calming influence on some of our other players. Only other option is moving Curtis to the left and playing Mitchell on the right, but not convinced by that either.

Is Franczak fit again? I haven't seen anything mentioned. Kimpioka looked much more promising last week. Watt a strange one. Has evident quality, but Simo obviously not overly enamoured with his physical condition or work rate. 

[R.B.B:- Adz]

32 minutes ago, Aitchy said:

Is Franczak fit again? I haven't seen anything mentioned. Kimpioka looked much more promising last week. Watt a strange one. Has evident quality, but Simo obviously not overly enamoured with his physical condition or work rate. 

Fit enough for the squad I think.

I thought Kimpioka looked really poor when he came on against Celtic - looks a bit lost a needs a move.

Watt simply hasn’t got up to speed with the Scottish game quick enough to fit into a side fighting for their lives. Too slow and ponderous in a league where you need to be quick witted in every respect.

[R.B.B:- Adz]

5 hours ago, Aitchy said:

Surprised at ticket sales so far, thought we would have sold more, but appreciate its an expensive month with the semi final. Hopefully there is late surge today and tomorrow morning. 

 

3 hours ago, Cagey said:

Apparently United sold out. Let's get an early goal and quieten them.

Clearly people having to choose between United game and a very expensive trip to Hampden in the same month.

Can anyone confirm that we have sold less than 800 tickets for Tannadice?

If there is a cash gate we might breach 1000 but can’t see it now.

 

Edited April 11, 2025 by R.B.B:- Adz