Coventry Saint

I feel like that is largely underrated as an escape, beyond Saints fans, of course. I still cant quite make sense of how we stopped up.

I think the kids call it 'Ricbait'

Ronan says he likes the formation, FWIW: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/renfrewshire/connor-ronan-feels-formation-switch-26062161

It's tempting to say that it's literally only taken two positive results to completely change the complexion of our season, but I think it's the change in system that's really made me feel optimistic. Jim just showing he's prepared to flex is such a positive sign. I think pretty much every player has looked more comfortable so far (poss exception of Ethan who's suffering a bit of a dip) and Ronan on Tuesday who I think we can all agree probably isn't a pure CM.

Aye, saw that last night. I assume we have fans older than 12, but who's to say based on that?! It's a nice video though - I'm absolutely all for a bit of spotlight on the club of any kind. And fair play to the guy for taking the route less travelled for these videos. Mind, after watching the Saints game, it looks like he was in Perth last night so he may not be leaving with the best impression of the standard of our top flight.

Does make me wonder how he'll be judged as time passes. I'm not for a second trying to diminish your achievements as a club last season, but CD's role is looking increasingly Stubbs-esque. Was he just incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful squad that suited the one system he knows how to play, and it worked well in the cups?

A sentence that also works without the word 'goal'.

He looks more mobile, for one thing. I think the pace of the game surprised him last night. You could see him trying stuff that might well work at a shiter level, but Aberdeen's defenders are no mugs. He'll have to learn. Back to my first point, though - Jim wanted more pace in the squad and while he's not exactly electric, he can at least stretch tired defences more than Main/Erwin. If you're a rival defender, see Brophy going off and Main coming on, you know you can push up a bit tighter and it's one less thing to worry about.

Yeah, happy to hold my hands up there. Erhahon was abysmal when he came on and you suspect he may be in for another spell on the bench - unless McGrath moves on and Ronan pushes forward. I thought McGrath was ok, but wouldn't go overboard. I genuinely think Kiltie is doing more of what I'd expect someone in that role to be doing, in terms of movement, beating players, killer passes, etc. Given that they're the same age, I think we've replaced quite well. Obviously the sickener is wondering where we'd be in the league had we been playing this way for longer - Kiltie is simply a different player in this formation. Still, it's fine; we're heading in the right direction again and I'll relax.

That was a decent performance. Aberdeen barely laid a glove on us. The end was bizarre; they had no urgency and carried no threat. Even at various points over the past few seasons, we've been awful and handed leads to teams but we've at least piled pressure on chasing the lead. I felt pretty calm watching that. Jay Henderson has a lot of development ahead of him, but I have absolutely no doubt that he belongs at this level. Great wee player; long contract please Saints.

Sweet, cheers

I'll be fucking livid if this doesn't work. Kiltie and McGrath have yet to work well together, albeit the system suits them both better now. So harsh on Erhahon. I really can't see the logic here. I really can't.

The Fraser chat prompted me to look over our other player contracts. Had an absolute heart attack because Transfermarkt has Brophy as being OOC this summer. Obviously he's actually signed till 2024, so we're fine. Interestingly, there weren't many players OOC this summer that I was actually worried about going. I think we're generally in pretty good shape.

Aye, it's streets ahead of those absolute melters who were on the mics for Dundee United at the weekend.

Hard disagree with that, tbh. I think the notion that he's undroppable has been what's contributed to our predicament this season. He's pulled out of two games because he wanted (and still wants) away. Picking all the best players doesn't always equal the best team.

But we've seen plenty instances of them being played together, which amounts to the same thing, tbh. McGrath on the bench tonight, for me.

Definitely not accepting him as a makeweight for McGrath if they're letting him go for nothing

Cheers, I was hoping someone would fill that gap in. Is that because the squad has improved overall, or were you rotating for that cup game?

Actually impressed you could interpret his post.

Happy to call it: Brophy, Greive and Jamieson are a better, and cheaper strikeforce than Brophy, Main, Erwin and Dennis. Now we just need three of those guys out the door.

Fortunately, nobody knows the finer details of our club's finances better than St Johnstone fans so I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.

Tells you everything you need to know that I don't have the slightest bit of fear about us facing Cammy MacPherson in games later this season.

Our coverage is ok, in terms of picture quality, streaming quality, etc. I can't stand partisan commentary of any colour, but if you've got an away option you should be fine. What I will say is that stupid broadcast rules preclude me from buying it now (can't watch Scots games in England for some fucking made-up reason), and I tend to find Saints home games are harder to come by via 'alternative' measures than other clubs'. So if you are determined to see the game, play it safe and pay up because the dodgy streams are unreliable. That spell before half time was proper 'life as a fan of a shit team'. We were indeed looking ok, then Tanser scored and I thought we could maybe get back in it. That glorious feeling of hope lasted... what, 45 seconds?

Something's falling down with the English teams; I'm intrigued to know what it is. That's now Boro, Sheff Utd, Bham and Swansea that have apparently been very keen (plus there was a wild link with, IIRC, Watford in the summer), while our demands don't seem outlandish. You then consider that Aberdeen tabled an offer then withdrew because of interest south of the border. I think his agent keeps bluffing then getting found out. I will say this: I'm far more relaxed now about him potentially going at the end of the window. Based on Kiltie's last two games, we are under no pressure to replace McGrath so if he leaves late, it's fine.

Intriguing tie here after Kelty's exploits in the last round, managing the kind of result against the Perth Saints that we typically find elusive. Got to be honest, I've not really paid much attention to Kelty; I didn't even realise Tam O'Ware was playing for them. What a c**t that guy is. I hope he gets a fitting reception at SMP. Looking over the rest of their team, it's clear why they're sauntering that league and why they showed up against the Fakes: several guys (Tidser, Austin, Higginbotham, Cardle) that could be getting Championship gigs, IMO. Not sure what the conditions of Daniel Finlayson's loan to Kelty are, but I'd assume he won't be available. All that being said, we really ought to have too much for them here. Our B team put Kelty out the kid-on cup on penalties earlier in the season, brief report below. That really was a B team from us - only Reid usually gets anywhere near our bench: https://www.stmirren.com/match-reports/4065-match-report-st-mirren-b-kelty-hearts I think it'll be a great, close game. One goal in it either way, and I think we'll concede. I'm going 2-1 Saints.