Coventry Saint

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Tbh, after the shocking challenges flying in from the Saintees in our last game, I found myself quite nostalgic for that. I hope this weekend's ref offers adequate protection to our players.

To be fair, it's only gained traction (as far as I can see) because people have been annoyed by it, or have pretended to be. Same as anything, really. I'm pretty sure only a couple of people complained about the picture of Alan Main because it displayed on the thread preview on the app, but that led to it being posted all the time. And, inevitably, within a few posts' time on this very page, now I've mentioned it.

Can't see fans in grounds this season, realistically.

Good shout; agree with all of that. Ethan does need a (gentle) dropping just to clear his head a bit. The difference in Erwin when he knew there was someone running beyond him was like night and day. And yes, I think we'll definitely go with one up top.

If we go two up front, I think McGrath will keep his place at the expense of one of the proper wingers and will play out wide.

"There is no mention of Saintees anywhere on the St Johnstone website or social media feeds."

That was actually the point I was trying to make, but may have done it badly. It seemed clear for a while - and I remember remarking to the effect on here - that the extra six points had you in a false position in the league, prior to the point at which they decided to take the points away again. I think my main error was my perception that the forfeited points were on the board for longer than they were, and I accept it's unrealistic that you'd have sacked your manager based on a few weeks of poor form. I've honestly lost all ability to judge time over the past 12 months.

The main take-home message is that there are really no winners here. I'd even argue that even Motherwell, for example, have missed out: the extra points put a gloss on 'Well's form for a while. They might have made a managerial change sooner had they been scraping around at the bottom for longer. (I know Robinson walked, but I think the point broadly stands.) Now Alexander stands to receive the easiest new manager bounce ever seen.

There won't be a deduction. Bear in mind, that is the punishment that has been decided already, and we are simply appealing that. It'd be rare (ie really fucking bizarre) for them to hear that appeal but dole out a different punishment.

"Demoted"

We all know what's coming

It certainly is, but it's basically saying clubs are fine to breach the rules as long as the games go ahead. Kinda flies in the face of the idea of this all about being in aid of player safety.

Interesting viewpoint ahead of our appeal, that. Because the fact remains that our players could have caught Covid whether we broke regulations or not. I still think we will (should?) get punished, but if they can't prove a link between our outbreak and our infections (and how could they) then they have to either: 1) punish the other teams that have been shown to be breaking rules 2) punish the teams that have had to postpone games 3) forget the idea of punishing teams altogether and just let us crack on with it

I really wish we'd simply had the foresight to ask the authorities to bend the rules for us before we broke them.

Can't see it at all on Bet365 right now. Wonder if they've panicked and pulled the market. Edit: sorry, just saw previous posts saying the same thing.

Aw, come oan, it does Broony good tae cut loose once in a while...

@ropy you ok mate?

Providing a metaphor for Celtic's season?

Well fans taking this well, to be fair. I'd be fairly raging. (Edit: I mean that sincerely; obviously there are some exceptions.)

Absolutely never a penalty, that. I'd not spotted the 'kick' when watching it live, but Erwin has just flung a leg out. I'd be livid if it was given against us.

I thought you looked not too bad at all, and were really busy in the first half. Gave us no time on the ball at all and it really rattled us. I think you may have tired a bit in the second half, and retreated a bit, but I can't see you having any significant worries this season based on that. It's weird but Jim doesn't seem to fancy Cammy. I'd agree, though, he has to be worth a shot. Ideally, we'd drop someone with a bit more experience in there. Wonder what Ross Wallace is doing...

He was lucky still to be on the park after 10 minutes, tbf. We played ok, but same old problems. I think we might start going 4-4-2 from the start soon. Will be interesting to see who misses out. Connolly hasn't been good for a few games now and I can see why Quaner has been brought in; Ethan needs a spell out the team, too. I'd love to see Flynn back. And although I was watching on my phone so couldn't see in much detail, that was never ever a penalty. Now we're massive moneybags shaggers, we're clearly getting soft decisions our way.

We weren't great, there. Created no real chances in the box and restricted to long range efforts. Alnwick has looked dodgier than he's looked all season. O'Hara being livid for being booked for his second stonewall booking was some laugh, though.

That's been coming, they've looked decent.