nelsjfc

Part of me wouldn't be surprised if he's just woken up from the celebrations and found out at some point in the last 48 hours he'd signed for Fleetwood.

Rooney away. Always likely but gutting nevertheless

Getting through is fine, getting back is pretty tight getting to Buchanan Street

Long shot, but don't suppose anyone knows of a bus heading from perth with couple of spaces?

No McCart. [emoji51]

McCart

Tickets back on sale - assume its just the rest of the away stand released as looks like only a few single tickets left in the main stand. Assume no cash entry for home fans tonight??

This. I'd argue that, if anything, saints were more on top that 10-15 minutes after half time than in the first. The Caley changes meant Brown and Rooney staying wide and high gave us 5 vs 4 in the middle - you can see at the Cleary chance that Caley were struggling to get out and saints were able to knock it about fairly easily. Hallberg and Middleton going off robbed us of the little mobility we have. Particularly Hallberg being off meant we didn't press as much as or as high. Just another example of how our midfield three cannot work with 2 of either Crawford, MacPherson or Butterfield. Middleton had been a good outlet the whole game - the chance that started with Gordon's long ball out to him being an example - and that disappeared when May came on. Don't know if an excuse for that change was given but it was clear from Middleton's reaction that he didn't want to come off.

Thats quite a statement. "We once again will be made to suffer in our efforts to get promotion" A real pick-me-up for the players left.

Spoiled myself to a seat amongst the tartan blanket brigade for the home leg. Looking forward to the leg room already. Agree with most the above that the Aberdeen line up would be my shout. Definitely sticking with the midfield three because, as nelly says, it seemed to allow our two capable midfielders to play their natural games. Less sure about the May vs Middleton arguement, maybe a case of the former at home and the latter away. Bracing myself for seeing Crawford or MacPherson in there. Might just head back down the A9 if they're both in. Is the car park at the ground the best shout for parking?

If anything Butterfield sometimes looks even less mobile than Liam is. There's not been a obvious reason not to do so for months. This is the first game we've gone into with a question over the shape of the midfield after he stumbled on to a successful change in the Aberdeen game. Think of all the guys that Murray Davidson has had in beside him in that midfield in the last decade. What must he think when Crawfords strolling around or MacPherson is trying to hit a wonder pass. f**k, it's enough to have him longing for Paul Paton.

Like slow motion. Gives me the absolute fear every time the ball is near him. Waste of time playing him

Decent so far although frustrating decision making in the last third a few times. Parish absolutely glued to the line at every cross. Cifiti not exactly putting himself in the shop window here either

Agree with most of Paulo's post above. Thought once Butterfield dropped beside Davidson and Hallberg moved forward we looked much better in that area of the pitch. Hallberg being further forward along with Middleton being up there actually meant there was some mobility in the final third highlighted at the goal when Hallberg then Middleton get beyond their markers. Just that shape in the middle helps us IMO and lets Murray play his natural game. Butterfield isn't the long term answer, and I'm not convinced he looks as good as he did tonight against a more competitive side, but it was nice to have a deep lying centre midfielder getting on the ball. The cynic in me could point out it took injuries to force the change....... Mackenzie will be having nightmares about Rooney. He can brainless sometimes but you can help wishing one or two others would take responsibility to try and make things happen the way he does.

And May. We'll probably never find out. Signed 19 players this season and don't have a full bench. Guess we can confirm we'll never see MoH again.

I mean the board can't be totally blind to the effect it would on season ticket renewals? Maybe Brown would just put it down to the relative successes (or lack thereof) in the two seasons but surely must recognise that sticking with a regime that is averaging way under a goal a game at home is going to decimate the healthy sales from last summer? I mean a relegation scrap I can accept but the mind numbing football by numbers dirge is harder to stomac. I can almost see the August headlines now blaming us for not turning out in enough numbers for not getting a new striker

Callum will be telling us to remember trips to East Stirlingshire in the 80s next week.

Indeed. One of the few instances where we carry the ball and get a few passes together.

Like I said, inspired substitution.

May and Middleton wide of Hendry in 4-5-1. Or bring on Sang too and go to a more traditional 4-4-2

McCart to left back and, shock horror, change the shape.

Brown on at left wing back. Keep hammering in those square pegs

Probably says as much about the horrendously low standard set this season that I think that's been a bit of an improvement. Not as passive without the ball at least mainly because May and to a lesser extent MacPherson do more without the ball. Still poor with it. It's the same story needing a centre half to step out with ball or a couple of the midfielders to drop and take it. Neither happening.

I'd agree and, if I had to stick with the same system, I'd pick May and MacPherson over the two they've replaced. I thought May was slightly harshly drop for Cifiti although he's not shown much from the bench recently. Harsh on Sang too. Seems from the outside some players are held to much higher standards than others.

May for Cifici and MacPherson for Crawford