Motherwell V St.Johnstone - Saturday 26th April

[SaintJet]

Motherwell has always been a pivitol destination for Saints where over the years we have been fighting to stay in the top league. I have left there very happy and heartbroken.

There is something about this fixture which is going to shape our immeadiate future and make no bones about it if we lose on Saturday the fat lady is going to be loosening her laughing gear.

Injuries have ravaged our line up and we are also back to being undecided about what our stongest line up is.

Can't think of too much to more to say regarding our plight so lets just hope the lads find end of season form and continue our stay in the top league.

[GMac]

No other choice than get right in aboot thum, bring home 3 points.  

[Cagey]

We need at least 3 wins , Motherwell not the priority as wins against County, Killie and Dundee are.

Having said that we would probably have the feeling it was all over if Motherwell beat us.

[MySpazz]

Motherwell have hopefully started clocking off. They need one win from 5 to be "safe". Dead rubber for them in the main, so hopefully that's in our favour. 

[Gekko]

I'm glad that big Uche's back in time for the run in. I believe he can play an important part up front. We don't have anybody that does the job he can.

If Clark is to be played, he needs to be a penalty box striker. None of this link man nonsense, it's not his strength.

Do we play 3 at the back? I don't think there's much choice. We've no left back. Douglas is needed in there as there's no other option. Balodis, Sprangler and Douglas.

Curtis wide right, maybe Duke on the left? I think Carey is at the stage of his career when he's more effective as an option from the bench.

Svedberg and Watt seem to be out of favour, so probably Holt and Griffiths in there? But we still need one more. Maybe time for Watt to get another chance?

There really isn't another option than having Kirk and Sidibeh up front.

Not many choices for the manager there.

Carey, Clark, Ikpeazu, Steven and Kimpioka on the bench.

Hopefully Motherwell will already be thinking of the beach and not wanting to get injured for next season.

A massive few games for the club and I feel this one in particular is important to get us off to good start in this mini league we're in.

It'd be great to get a win and hopefully put pressure on those we're chasing.

[RandomGuy]

Fisher

Curtis - Balodis - Sprangler - Douglas

Holt - Griffith

McKenna - Carey - McPake

Kirk

 

... bring me glory or bring me death, type shit. Don't rate McPake but he's earned his chance.

[Northern saint]

We need to set the tone for the following fixtures so we need to get out of the blocks and stuck in from the first whistle to the last.  We need five wins.  

Lineup is open for debate.  I'd like to see Ikpeazu and Sibibeh up front with Sidibeh looking for the flick on and Duke-McKenna another option runner.  I don't think Clark has worked at all this season.  Ikpeazu would be capable of winning contested balls and putting fear into the Motherwell defenders.  Kirk is needing a rest so as a sub may have more impact.

Is Franz fit as his work rate would be a benefit?  

Simple instruction, if in doubt a pass is on, kick it up the channels to the forwards.  

Will Still on Sky Monday night football explaining his philosophy.  First pass forward as it takes any advantage of a defence in disarray.  We pass it ten times and everyone is back.  Hope someone watched it and the penny dropped.

[Papa Jack]

Just now, Papa Jack said:

Broadly this but I think more of a 4-4-2 with Taylor Steven getting a chance at left back and Benji deserves a place up front with Kirk. 

 

Edited April 22, 2025 by Papa Jack

[Saints17]

23 hours ago, RandomGuy said:

Fisher

Curtis - Balodis - Sprangler - Douglas

Holt - Griffith

McKenna - Carey - McPake

Kirk

 

... bring me glory or bring me death, type shit. Don't rate McPake but he's earned his chance.

That’s pretty much what I would go for but would have Steven or Franczak playing ahead of McPake. Hopefully Ikpeazu can play a part too. 

[R.B.B:- Adz]

On 4/22/2025 at 1:09 PM, RandomGuy said:

Fisher

Curtis - Balodis - Sprangler - Douglas

Holt - Griffith

McKenna - Carey - McPake

Kirk

 

... bring me glory or bring me death, type shit. Don't rate McPake but he's earned his chance.

BARRY DOUGLAS AT LEFT BACK!!!!! Outrageous!!

[Stumpy1949]

Any buses going to the game?

[blueheaven]

I'd probably revert to a back three/five for this one as I think it solidifies us at the back a bit more and gets around our lack of proper full-backs. I know it's not ideal but I'd be tempted to give Taylor Steven a go at LWB, as I just don't think Duke-McKenna works there.

Something like:

_____________________ Fisher

__________ Sprangler Balodis Douglas

Curtis __________Holt ___ Griffith __________Steven

____________________ Carey

_______________Kirk _____ Sidibeh

That gives us some good impact options from the bench in Duke-McKenna, Clark and Ikpeazu. Ideally I'd prefer to use Carey as an impact sub too but I think one of him or Clark have to start in that advanced midfield role and Clark just hasn't worked there so far. Only other option is one of Svedberg or Watt come back in, but that feels like a gamble in what is already such a weakened team.

Assume Franczak is still injured? We seem to have heard nothing of him of late. Shame, as I think he'd be a strong contender for a couple of positions at the moment.

 

[Nat King Goals]

15 minutes ago, blueheaven said:

I'd probably revert to a back three/five for this one as I think it solidifies us at the back a bit more and gets around our lack of proper full-backs. I know it's not ideal but I'd be tempted to give Taylor Steven a go at LWB, as I just don't think Duke-McKenna works there.

Something like:

_____________________ Fisher

__________ Sprangler Balodis Douglas

Curtis __________Holt ___ Griffith __________Steven

____________________ Carey

_______________Kirk _____ Sidibeh

That gives us some good impact options from the bench in Duke-McKenna, Clark and Ikpeazu. Ideally I'd prefer to use Carey as an impact sub too but I think one of him or Clark have to start in that advanced midfield role and Clark just hasn't worked there so far. Only other option is one of Svedberg or Watt come back in, but that feels like a gamble in what is already such a weakened team.

Assume Franczak is still injured? We seem to have heard nothing of him of late. Shame, as I think he'd be a strong contender for a couple of positions at the moment.

 

Pretty much agree with this team, but I would tweak this to a 4-4-2. Douglas was done after Sunday and think he doesn't have it in him to start again this week, with any Motherwell pace taking him out of the game and prone to a costly mistake. 

With the players currently available, I think 3-5-2 would be like Livi cup game (1st half) - that's my fear.

No great alternative options, but would have Taylor Steven at LB for this one, with Balodis and Sprangler CB and Curtis RB.

Would have Carey and Duke- McKenna on wings with Griffith and Holt in the centre.

In order for Carey starting this game, Saints need to get the ball up the channels, win free kicks to get Carey on them - similar to Celtic home game. If we don't play to those strengths then Carey becomes non-existent in the game. 

Kirk and Sidibeh up front.

Kirk was great on Sunday 2nd half and seems to have found his spark again. Need Sidibeh to channel his Motherwell last day of season performance for this one too.

Agree that Franczak would be great in this situation and really hope he is back soon.

Whatever Simo goes with, need to mix things up, play the channels, build confidence, score first and see what happens from there. Sounds easy, eh...

[Nobodyshero]

59 minutes ago, blueheaven said:

I'd probably revert to a back three/five for this one as I think it solidifies us at the back a bit more and gets around our lack of proper full-backs. I know it's not ideal but I'd be tempted to give Taylor Steven a go at LWB, as I just don't think Duke-McKenna works there.

Something like:

_____________________ Fisher

__________ Sprangler Balodis Douglas

Curtis __________Holt ___ Griffith __________Steven

____________________ Carey

_______________Kirk _____ Sidibeh

That gives us some good impact options from the bench in Duke-McKenna, Clark and Ikpeazu. Ideally I'd prefer to use Carey as an impact sub too but I think one of him or Clark have to start in that advanced midfield role and Clark just hasn't worked there so far. Only other option is one of Svedberg or Watt come back in, but that feels like a gamble in what is already such a weakened team.

Assume Franczak is still injured? We seem to have heard nothing of him of late. Shame, as I think he'd be a strong contender for a couple of positions at the moment.

 

What does people see in Taylor Steven that I can't see, haven't seen anything in his time on the field that says to me ,he can play football at a good level . 

[Nat King Goals]

2 minutes ago, Nobodyshero said:

What does people see in Taylor Steven that I can't see, haven't seen anything in his time on the field that says to me ,he can play football at a good level . 

I think the context to folk mentioning Taylor Steven, is that he is the best option in a catastrophic situation of having no LB / LWB.  Had Drey Wright been available then Steven would not necessarily be mentioned. 

Need to remember this is a young lad who is being catapulted into the team under very difficult circumstances when, in an ideal world, we were sitting mid table (safe) and he could be eased into the team under less pressure.

This situation could make or break him and having supporters backing youngsters can go a long way for them, so hopefully supporters will back him, because he is likely to play most games until the end of the season.

I guess the question to you would be who would you play instead?

[Kinnoull Kicker]

Don’t disagree Nat. Thing is there is very little that Simo can change rotation wise. Douglas in a back three could work as he has done OK previously and would be less onerous fitness wise than at FB/WB.

what is really needed is needed is tactical / mentality change that ensures there is an out ball, press hard without the ball and get Sideibeh and Kirk in and around their box……oh and take whatever chances come along. Simplz!!!

Different topic…….will the cretins who had flares at Hampden stop embarrassing the club and risk it being heavily fined …..not to mention the risk of injury and harm to others particularly those with medical issues. Sort yourselves out.

[Saints17]

Agree Douglas is better suited in a back three now and given he really has to play due to lack of other options, I probably get to: 

                          Fisher 

          Sprangler  Balodis  Douglas 

 Curtis      Holt        Griffith      Steven 

        Duke-McKenna         Carey 

                               Kirk 

Not seen enough quality from Taylor Steven yet, I’m hoping that will come with more game time, but he certainly digs in and I think you can trust him to do a job for the team. At the stage we’re at, i’d rather gamble on someone like Steven with the right attitude than a McPake type. Hoping Franczak is back too as I really like him and would have him playing if he was fit. 

   

Edited April 23, 2025 by Saints17

[Cksaint]

We will be fecked if saints play it from the back

[double deluxe]

Fran has been training so I assume he’ll be available for selection 

[RandomGuy]

2 hours ago, Nobodyshero said:

What does people see in Taylor Steven that I can't see, haven't seen anything in his time on the field that says to me ,he can play football at a good level . 

Hard to understand why a 20yo right winger with no real experience above the 3rd tier is struggling to impress you at left back in the top flight, it really is.

[garydavidson]

4 hours ago, blueheaven said:

Assume Franczak is still injured? We seem to have heard nothing of him of late. Shame, as I think he'd be a strong contender for a couple of positions at the moment.

 

"Fran Franczak had looked good during the international break but he twisted his ankle last week so he will be out until the split."

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/st-johnstone/5213497/st-johnstone-adama-sidibeh-ramadan/

[blueheaven]

I wonder if there's a chance Ikpeazu starts this? Simo spoke a while ago about ideally wanting a big striker in his team to get knock-downs for the other players. If he sees Ikpeazu as that guy for these last few games that could make a big difference to a lot of out tactics.

[Aitchy]

25 minutes ago, blueheaven said:

I wonder if there's a chance Ikpeazu starts this? Simo spoke a while ago about ideally wanting a big striker in his team to get knock-downs for the other players. If he sees Ikpeazu as that guy for these last few games that could make a big difference to a lot of out tactics.

The Courier podcast this week seemed to suggest that there was no way that he start game for us and that if it were not for the situation we are in, there would be no way that he would be back this season. Indication was that we are more likely to see him off the bench in the last 20 minutes. Hopefully thats not the case. If he is in a position to start, I would have him up top with Kirk this weekend. Would also start McPake and Steven.

I do have the fear about this game though. Motherwell will want to get the three points secured so that they can put to bed any fears about relegation. That factor, plus our squad being down to the bare bones, particularly in defence concerns me. 

[Saints17]

I noticed Motherwell apparently only have one fit centre half for this weekend too. Gordon, Balmer, McGinn and Blaney all look to be out for them. 

[R.B.B:- Adz]

Just now, Saints17 said:

I noticed Motherwell apparently only have one fit centre half for this weekend too. Gordon, Balmer, McGinn and Blaney all look to be out for them. 

5-5 draw?