Saints v Partick Thistle, Championship 2/8/25

[Graeme S]

12 minutes ago, muirton enclosure said:

Did anyone notice the body language between Simo & Uche at the end ? 

Yes, grabbed both his arms and was talking to the big fella intently. Bearing mind the time he was on the park, it didn't look a tactical discussion, more a "you see this? Do you want to be a part of this? What we're building here? All you have to do is tell us you're staying and show your commitment." type discussion. 

Have to say, can't remember whether it was here of P&B, but somebody described that performance yesterday as similar to Big Ange's Celtic side - 100% agree with the way we set up, hunt in packs and pushed for more goals right to the end. If that's what we have to look forward to, it could be a really great season for the fans. 

[Nat King Goals]

41 minutes ago, Graeme S said:

I know for a fact that Simo is at McD for 6.45am most mornings (either by bike or running) and is working 12 hour days to make this work.

Can vouch for this - seen Simo in his Saints gear and on his bike at 6.30am earlier this week. He stopped to have a chat about Saints and then off he went to work. 

Simo is clearly committed, willing to learn from mistakes and has a plan for building success at Saints.

Whilst it's still early days for the league, his transfer window signings have been fantastic and hopefully leads to a successful season.

Knowing what we know regards the manager sacking merry go round in football, I would be concerned that Simo will be on lists of clubs once other clubs start sacking their managers. With Simo now into year 2 of a 3 year contract, really hope Webb and co are productively looking to extend Simo's contract. Long term stability will additionally assist in attracting new signings - as we know has previously been succesful in the past.

[CAH]

At risk of causing a riot given the unbridled hysteria currently being evidenced on this site does anyone think we should all calm down and reserve judgement until after say  the first quarter has played out??  Pelters awaited!

[Nat King Goals]

8 minutes ago, CAH said:

At risk of causing a riot given the unbridled hysteria currently being evidenced on this site does anyone think we should all calm down and reserve judgement until after say  the first quarter has played out??  Pelters awaited!

Successful businesses are always proactive and forward thinking during their successful periods.

Saints did not capitalise following 2014 and 2022 cup successes and that ultimately didn't turn out well.

By the time of the first quarter there will be numerous Premiership sackings, so it is simply protecting our assets (whether that be manager or players in final year of contract). Continuity usually results in success rather than huge turnover of players and potentially the need to find a new manager.

[rik2304]

 

 

[pezza70]

A great start to the season with progressing out of the cup stage and a great first up win in the league.

Lets hope this start to the season brings more people back to our games.

[Cagey]

A big worry is that Saints were unaware til Friday that Boyes was not available. Was that , our old administrative are still there or should Boyes have told them.

Either way it could have turned a 5-1 win into a 3 nil loss and points deduction.

Courier also says 4000 paying customers. What happened to the other 1000. Think we are still handing out spare tickets to pubs.

[RandomGuy]

14 minutes ago, Cagey said:

A big worry is that Saints were unaware til Friday that Boyes was not available. Was that , our old administrative are still there or should Boyes have told them.

Either way it could have turned a 5-1 win into a 3 nil loss and points deduction.

Courier also says 4000 paying customers. What happened to the other 1000. Think we are still handing out spare tickets to pubs.

The SPFL have a new system (Comet I think) that a lot of clubs are having bother with. Arbroath didnt know Thomas O'Brien was available for them on Friday night until the Friday morning either. Apparently the suspension rules have changed too.

Assume the 1000 not mentioned were away fans.

[Linky]

I can see the Ange’s Celtic comparisons. We were just relentless. You feel that players are desperate to keep their place because of the competition, and are working flat out. They also all have something to prove for one reason or another. McPake looks like he’s going to score or create every time he gets the ball. Sidebeh has been taught how to be the striker he needs to be, rather than going for goal every time. It’s just going to be about keeping that level of performance throughout the season.

[mike_gain]

19 minutes ago, RandomGuy said:

The SPFL have a new system (Comet I think) that a lot of clubs are having bother with. Arbroath didnt know Thomas O'Brien was available for them on Friday night until the Friday morning either. Apparently the suspension rules have changed too.

Assume the 1000 not mentioned were away fans.

Comet was brought in start of last season....and yes it was a bother. A lot of issues ironed out since then and some ongoing issues.

However it should tell you about suspensions automatically when creating  teamlines. I'm guessing Friday was when they were being made up.

[RandomGuy]

2 minutes ago, mike_gain said:

Comet was brought in start of last season....and yes it was a bother. A lot of issues ironed out since then and some ongoing issues.

However it should tell you about suspensions automatically when creating  teamlines. I'm guessing Friday was when they were being made up.

Is it this Summer suspension rules have changed?

Believe the O'Brien Arbroath one was due to him being suspended at the end of their League One season and not knowing that didn't carry into the Championship until Friday morning. But next time he plays in League One he'll have to serve it.

Apparently Boyes is an accumulation of bookings last season leading to a suspension this season. Unsure if in the past they didnt carry those suspensions over and now they are?

[blueheaven]

2 hours ago, CAH said:

At risk of causing a riot given the unbridled hysteria currently being evidenced on this site does anyone think we should all calm down and reserve judgement until after say  the first quarter has played out??  Pelters awaited!

I haven't seen anyone getting carried away. Most people have caveated their praise with an acknowledgement that it's still early days. Our next two games are both against clubs we played in the top flight last season so they should provide some serious tests for this squad. But I don't see anything wrong with judging what we've seen so far, particularly as quite a few people were more than happy to cast judgement on our new players before they'd even played a game for us.

And seriously, if you can't enjoy it and give the team some praise when they score 13 goals in two games, when can you?

[Broggy Man]

Wasnt so much the score today it was more about the demolition of a tital rival

[Kinnoull Kicker]

2 hours ago, CAH said:

At risk of causing a riot given the unbridled hysteria currently being evidenced on this site does anyone think we should all calm down and reserve judgement until after say  the first quarter has played out??  Pelters awaited!

No

[muirton enclosure]

2 hours ago, CAH said:

At risk of causing a riot given the unbridled hysteria currently being evidenced on this site does anyone think we should all calm down and reserve judgement until after say  the first quarter has played out??  Pelters awaited!

Fair point , but it shows how bad it's been . Yesterday the chasing from the front 5 and Holt with McAlear bamming annoying Thistle midfielders , can understand the over excitement . On there goal it needs a complete bam cutting out crosses ( happens to us too regular ) . Only down beat thing was the big Thistle guy had 3 absolute clear headers . Baird & Diamonte are big ....come on guys jump . 

[mike_gain]

13 minutes ago, RandomGuy said:

Is it this Summer suspension rules have changed?

Believe the O'Brien Arbroath one was due to him being suspended at the end of their League One season and not knowing that didn't carry into the Championship until Friday morning. But next time he plays in League One he'll have to serve it.

Apparently Boyes is an accumulation of bookings last season leading to a suspension this season. Unsure if in the past they didnt carry those suspensions over and now they are?

My understanding is the main chsnge is that suspensions are now competition specific so sent of in a cup you can play in the league and vice versa. Suspensions should carry over into new season in same league. 

[Cleveland-Saint]

3 hours ago, Graeme S said:

Yes, grabbed both his arms and was talking to the big fella intently. Bearing mind the time he was on the park, it didn't look a tactical discussion, more a "you see this? Do you want to be a part of this? What we're building here? All you have to do is tell us you're staying and show your commitment." type discussion. 

 

Was thinking that after the game that maybe the energy/goodwill would get him over the line. Good to hear the above, was certainly the time to strike ..... should have had the contract and pen on him! Noticed he seems to have positive energy with teammates also, which is a good sign.

A big center man like this is what we've been needing for a while, add Adama to this and the Gullans, Kirks, McPakes will have the space to destroy teams. Kind of hard not to be excited right now, but add Uche in there and we'd be loaded!

 

[Gekko]

Well that was good wasn't it?

I was trying to remember the last time I enjoyed a Saints performance like that, and as others have mentioned, you probably have to go back to the 7-2, maybe Totten's first season in the top league? Sturrock, and early Clark also had some quality attacking performances.

For what seems like ages now, we've been thought of as a stuffy, well organised team. Gets the job done without being spectacular.

I've noticed others mention this as well, and I agree, that yesterday reminded me of a full on Celtic team. As much as they annoy me, I admire the way they keep going at you. That's what we were like.

Simo is using the word relentless all the time and I like that. Keep going no matter what. I doubt that anybody's getting carried away, but that's a very promising start to the season.

All the players seem to adapt well to what the manager wants to do.

Gullan is a great signing. It's amazing to think he arrived from Raith Rovers. He seems like a top level player.

McPake, imagine twelve months ago thinking this is what we'd get from him. We seem to be a club once again that can make players better.

Sidibeh working hard as always.

Mallan is a top level player and we've done well to sign him up. I'm sure his set piece deliveries and goals will be valuable throughout the season.

McAlear plays like he's been here for years. As others have commented, Livingston must have some midfield to be happy to let him go.

Jason Holt is like a new player. Leading by example and a great choice for captain.

The only concern would be the defence. They're not in any way bad, but they could be better.

Losing the first goal is a habit we need to get out of.

However, that was without Boyes or Mikulic, so we do have quality and depth there.

The big takeaway for me is the change in the way we think. Positive, in control and attacking, rather than the sit back and defend way we've been for the past few years.

For the first time in ages, if we lose a goal, I think we can recover from that.

Also, I thought Thistle were decent enough in the first fifteen to twenty minutes, but we turned the game around.

I was busy at times during the game, and relied on Radio Scotland to give me updates. At one point, when Chick Young was waxing lyrical about our performance, they went to Willie Miller to get his thoughts.

He doesn't like us does he? I'm paraphrasing but his comments were like, "It's all fine doing that in the Championship, but could they play that way in the top league? Playing well is okay if you're in the Premiership but there's no point if you're relegated." He wasn't giving us any credit.

I'm glad we're still getting on people's nerves.

Edited August 3, 2025 by Gekko

[sixties saintee]

8 minutes ago, Gekko said:

Well that was good wasn't it?

I was trying to remember the last time I enjoyed a Saints performance like that, and as others have mentioned, you probably have to go back to the 7-2, maybe Totten's first season in the top league? Sturrock, and early Clark also had some quality attacking performances.

For what seems like ages now, we've been thought of as a stuffy, well organised team. Gets the job done without being spectacular.

I've noticed others mention this as well, and I agree, that yesterday reminded me of a full on Celtic team. As much as they annoy me, I admire the way they keep going at you. That's what we were like.

Simo is using the word relentless all the time and I like that. Keep going no matter what. I doubt that anybody's getting carried away, but that's a very promising start to the season.

All the players seem to adapt well to what the manager wants to do.

Gullan is a great signing. It's amazing to think he arrived from Raith Rovers. He seems like a top level player.

McPake, imagine twelve months ago thinking this is what we'd get from him. We seem to be a club once again that can make players better.

Sidibeh working hard as always.

Mallan is a top level player and we've done well to sign him up. I'm sure his set piece deliveries and goals will be valuable throughout the season.

McAlear plays like he's been here for years. As others have commented, Livingston must have some midfield to be happy to let him go.

Jason Holt is like a new player. Leading by example and a great choice for captain.

The only concern would be the defence. They're not in any way bad, but they could be better.

Losing the first goal is a habit we need to get out of.

However, that was without Boyes or Mikulic, so we do have quality and depth there.

The big takeaway for me is the change in the way we think. Positive, in control and attacking, rather than the sit back and defend way we've been for the past few years.

For the first time in ages, if we lose a goal, I think we can recover from that.

Also, I thought Thistle were decent enough in the first fifteen to twenty minutes, but we turned the game around.

I was busy at times during the game, and relied on Radio Scotland to give me updates. At one point, when Chick Young was waxing lyrical about our performance, they went to Willie Miller to get his thoughts.

He doesn't like us does he? I'm paraphrasing but his comments were like, "It's all fine doing that in the Championship, but could they play that way in the top league? Playing well is okay if you're in the Premiership but there's no point if you're relegated." He wasn't giving us any credit.

I'm glad we're still getting on people's nerves.

Feck millar

[andy rhodes fancy watch]

2 hours ago, Cagey said:

A big worry is that Saints were unaware til Friday that Boyes was not available. Was that , our old administrative are still there or should Boyes have told them.

Either way it could have turned a 5-1 win into a 3 nil loss and points deduction.

Courier also says 4000 paying customers. What happened to the other 1000. Think we are still handing out spare tickets to pubs.

Learn to read before spouting please. It said " over 4000 paying customers" which is factually correct.

[Cagey]

16 minutes ago, andy rhodes fancy watch said:

Learn to read before spouting please. It said " over 4000 paying customers" which is factually correct.

That's why I failed my exams , didn't read the question properly. I wasn't spouting anything.

[Graeme S]

50 minutes ago, Gekko said:

Simo is using the word relentless all the time and I like that.

Hey, Fran! I smell a sponsorship idea..... 🤷‍♀️

If Simo's gonna use the name all the time, they should be paying us for the advertising! 

[PSJ.84]

5 hours ago, CAH said:

At risk of causing a riot given the unbridled hysteria currently being evidenced on this site does anyone think we should all calm down and reserve judgement until after say  the first quarter has played out??  Pelters awaited!

No. Football is about enjoyment and that’s something, as a support, we have been starved of for far too long. If people want to get caught up in the moment and get carried away, let them. Make the most of it. 

[garydavidson]

It's refreshing to see us playing so well in the final third the last few weeks. Great attacking movement and passing, breaking through lines and creating chances, we haven't seen for a long time.

Long may it continue.

[blueheaven]

9 hours ago, muirton enclosure said:

No surprise but Simo admitted there where cliques last season which undermined his team plans . Yesterday proved this squad is onside with him . Did anyone notice the body language between Simo & Uche at the end ?

 

We've basically had a squad full of arseholes for the last few years, haven't we? I think it's probably safe to say that now.

I thought Simo's body language throughout yesterday's game was really interesting. He seemed a lot more animated than he normally is, but in a positive and encouraging way rather than a moany, unproductive Barry Robson way. To me he comes across as the sort of person who would be a good manager in any industry, whether it was football or anything else. 

Have seen a few people comparing yesterday's performance to various Saints teams of the past. What it really reminded me of was Sturrock's team of 96/97, which I think was the last team we had who regularly hammered other sides by big margins. That team was relentless in how it handled games too, but also disciplined and professional. If this season can be even a little bit like that one it would be very, very welcome.