nelsjfc

This sentence sums up so much that is wrong in Scotland. Ease of ticketing is one of the few things saints get right in terms of fan engagement. Assume Wright and Sprangler come straight in for this. I'd have Max as the other winger or even Costelloe for the pace but imagine it will be Carey. Not sure what the balance will be with midfield three. Smith seems to have been sold as a creator but looks comfortable deeper so far. Maybe Sprangler deep with Phillips and Smith further forward? It is the one area I think we've definitely strengthened in this summer having spent two years conceding that part of the pitch to other sides. Centre halves a worry today and similar to Beales comments last week, you'd imagine Hibs will be trying to get Youen and Boyle against them as often as possible. Maybe a case for a back three to counter it, and with Wright back that's more of an option, but still getting over the PTSD of the last couple of seasons to want to see that. I'd imagine something like Mitov Olufunwa Gordon Considine Robinson Sprangler Phillips Smith Wright Carey Kane I'm in the same boat as @The Real Saints in not panicking yet even if we lose today. That might change quickly in the next few weeks though.

Thought we were okay second half but the worry comes about the lack of an real threat. Got in to plenty of positions that second half but picked the wrong option to often. Worried about the middle of defence too. Like they're running through treacle. Just about done with Carey. For all his quality, the amount of times he attempts some ridiculous flick when there's an easy ten yard pass on is infuriating. As someone's already said, he's at fault at both ends for the first goal.

“Honestly, it is one of the happiest days of my life.” Welcome Sven.

Yeah, a manager admitting he made a mistake is refreshing after the last two seasons. Assuming we get Sprangler in, what other business, if any, to folk expect over the next 2 days? I'd hope for another winger, ideally a permanent one, and perhaps a striker if Clark isn't anywhere close. Light at centre half too particularly if McGowan leaves but appreciate the squad will have to be smaller this season.

Jonathan Pearce is the absolute worst. Another season of listening to his nonsense.

I get folks frustration with Careys decision making sometimes but i thought he was good today. Helped Robinson - who looked comfortable - and carried the ball a lot. Looked a lot better once May came on opposed to the first half and had two or three decent chances to win. Both Celtic centre halves looked really ropy. Mitov fantastic again. Players back, time on the park for the new guys, a very organised performance and an unexpected point. Nice to suddenly have a bit of confidence again

Can't decide if that starting 11 is an attempt to get game time in to players or a damming indictment of what MacLean thinks of the players he's inherited

Noticed that Kane was taking part in mini-games in the training clips today. Assume he's pretty close.

Hopefully just use this to get a few of the returning players and the new guys some game time. Get Jephcott, Smith, Costelloe, Turner-Cooke, MacPherson, Robinson and Brown all some minutes and might even have a full bench to choose from come the Dundee game.

Kane fit would be a massive plus. Desperate for different option. Praying Wright isn't out for long as well.

See one of the units, I think the old apb processing plant, is available across from McDiarmid. Another chance to get that P&B superpub built.

Enjoyed Careys jog back at the second. If we are going to stick with 4-3-3 need to find a striker that can play on his own. Can't take a whole season of May hoping centre halves miss the ball.

McGowan right back

"Probably deserving of their lead" says the saints commentary.

Questions about what the line up will be with Wright now out. Suspect Ballantyne will drop out so the question becomes does MacLean go 4-4-2 and bring in Jephcott. That has the knock on effect of meaning on of Smith, Phillips or McGowan have to drop out (or McGowan goes back to RB) with Max likely on the right side. The other option 4-3-3 is Smith comes in and you need to replace Wright. Think then play Jephcott through the middle and push May wide or play Max as Wright's direct replacement. None of options feel ideal tbh. Think both May and Jephcott would benefit playing together but that probably weakens the overall 11. If Max starts, hope to see a little more direct play from him.

Which I expect also explains why Hearts vs Saints was on second.

Just watched this on catch up. Jesus. "Great start for Theo Bair, scoring on his debut, just what a striker wants especially not having scored many at St.Johnstone" "Yeah, he'll be delighted. Strikers always want to score on there debut especially when they didn't score many the previous season" Thanks for that Charlie.

Browns looked fine since moving to a back 4 and his position would have been way down the priorities. Delighted we've got a couple of defenders in as it was both the area that's cost us in the League Cup and that injuries clearing won't help. Another striker might be one of the positions MacLean was talking about when he mentioned having to revisit the transfer policy. If Kane is out for a couple of months and Clarks return keeps getting delayed, think we'll need someone. Watching the likes of Main and Murray give us issues at the end of last season, would like to see a more physical or pacy option signed in Kanes absence. A winger/attacking midfielder would be great but think we are running out of signings to come. Maybe a loan or two for numbers. Right types of signings but undoubtedly a few risks in there. Think it will be a rough few weeks with injuries and new players settling. If we're tenth and there's a few successes amongst these signings, I'd be delighted

Its not ideal but having McGowan in midfield has helped. Once Phillips, McPherson and Brown are fit can't see it happening too often.

If Crawford and Phillips don't make it, a chance we start our second game without a single senior outfield plater on the bench.

Hartlepool signed another centre half today and I'm assuming they were waiting for him to replace Murray also fitting in with "complicated" comments.

You can buy them or apparently earn them by watching adverts. I was cheap enough to watch 25 adverts and hand over personal details to save two quid. Stream hasn't appeared yet though so you haven't missed anything. Edit - just appeared now

Looked better since McGowan went to right back and Steven has got closer to may

Your stream jumpy or just mine? Not a great start. Struggled with that big Jamie McCart type diagonal.