Coventry Saint

I was thinking about this earlier. I guess the only possible advantage would be that Ronan will be away at the end of the season, so maybe he'd be a decent replacement there. But yes, we don't actually need to replace McGrath.

Not sure that's true - didn't have more assists than anyone else last season? He's still got something in his locker, and if the system requires him to defend less, then that might help. I agree that he shouldn't be getting an extension, I'm saying we'd struggle for a better bit-part player who's broadly happy on the bench. If we have to pay to get rid of him then we might as well keep him. Of course, if someone came in for him, that's a different story.

I dunno, I think he could still offer something from the bench in a system that suits him. I was up for getting rid when he was clearly going to be getting played out of position, but as back up to Henderson/Kiltie, he might be happy filling that role. I'd doubt we could get better (as a back-up) in this window.

Only just caught up with Jim's interview there. Delighted to hear him talking about that wingback system in the past tense; he did say he may use it again, but I'm convinced this is the right move for us with the personnel we've got available. Tait, McCarthy & Henderson are all good players at this level and they were all virtually unpickable in a 3-5-2. Fraser is better as a RB; I'm happy with Tanser being less attacking. He tends to deliver his crosses from deep anyway so it may not even stifle his game. Even McAllister stands more chance of getting a game now. Only person I can see missing out here is maybe Millar.

Played.

I think on balance, United were marginally more hard done-to by the ref last night. Power's handball was absolutely a handball, and though the offside goal decision was slightly unfair, I can kinda see why it was given. I would still like to see Fuchs' challenge on Brophy (I think) in the box again, but our players didn't really complain about it so I'm assuming there wasn't much in it. Overall I think they United can feel slightly aggrieved.

Wonder what sort of reception he'll get.

I think most of us have just wanted to see that flexibility. A demonstration that different systems suit different oppositions and that, once it's clear we've been tactically sussed out, we have the capacity to change things/spring a surprise. A United fan commented that it looked like our approach took them by surprise last night, and we should have been well out of sight by the time Courts had managed to react. Fucking brilliant: more of that, please.

I'd honestly loan him to Arbroath for the rest of the season. He'd do ok for them, at that level.

They should definitely make a film about St Johnstone's double cup winning season. But I like happy endings, so they should add this season on too.

What an improvement last night. Positives: The tactics were much better. It meant Tanser didn't get forward as much but I think we can live with that for now. I hope this is the real Greg Kiltie: what a performance that was. Jay Henderson had a really solid game. He's young, and he'll still have inconsistencies in his game, but he gave us so much more forward poise than we've seen recently. his goal was magic - not just the strike but the build-up - and I think the inevitable goal of the month nomination will give him as big confidence boost. I've been saying for a while that McGrath needed to leave in the summer, and I think over the next few games that point will be proven. I'm not having a go at him - he is far from carrying the blame here - but as our best individual player he was virtually undroppable and it was throwing the balance of the team right off. We saw a much better performance from Ronan and Kiltie last night, who both looked more comfortable. Ethan had a good game too and was mostly very good on the ball. Nice to see Brophy get a poacher's goal. If he's to score more goals generally, he needs to be in those sorts of positions more often. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Greive. Negatives: We are still so fucking brainless/panicky at times - so often playing into trouble or handing the ball back when there is no need to do so. Likewise just losing the head in and around the opposition box, and opting to attempt a worldy rather than playing it intelligently. The second goal, and the disallowed goal too, were examples of the latter and I want to see more of it. I'm not convinced by Dunne, not by a long way. He's probably the worst offender for blindly lumping the ball forwards. He got away with blatantly grappling a United player last night, but the forward complained and then got his free kick a few minutes later when Dunne did exactly the same thing again.

We were ok tonight. I personally think losing McGrath will balance out our squad a bit; I am way more confident after seeing us tonight. I appreciate we've been beyond dogshit in our games against you, though.

He was on the park eight minutes, his movement looked good, he showed a great touch to beat his man before being fouled in the corner, and he got a shot away. Maybe my standards are low, but given the state of the match when he came on, I think he did well.

Big results for us, County and Livi tonight. Bit of daylight forming, for now, at least.

He's just come off the bench at Tannadice and looked quite lively, so I suspect he'll be in and about our first team. You can have Lee Erwin, though.

Under a bit of pressure at the end there but we played ok. Nice bright cameo from the new boy, too. We are still a bit brainless at times; gave the ball away unnecessarily SO many times. All in all a magnificent three points. Very, very important result for us there.

You certainly are. It's been a very open game and we've been quite loose, tbh.

I had to mute that pair of clowns. This has been our best performance for some time, though. Moved it about nicely, and it's been a pretty entertaining half. The ref is dogshit, mind. Not just the disallowed goal: that was arguably a handball then a foul by Dunne on the edge of our box, and I'd like a closer look at Fuchs' challenge on Brophy at the end there. Still, vast, vast improvement on anything I've seen from us recently.

Unless General Disarray has been posting Jamie McGrath YouTube clips on Wigan forums

Minter. If they haven't scouted him by the 18th Jan then they deserve to miss out, tbh.

We took Brophy for the second half of last season. Edit: sorry thought you said 'amateurish'.

Yeah. Hope this means we're protecting McGrath so we don't scupper a £££ move.

It's either Henderson at WB (!!!) Or a back 4 Probably will be the 3-6-1. I'm comfortable with that. Jay, Ethan, Kiltie and Dennis all in. I like it.

Loving our line up tonight. Almost looks like it could be a 4-4-1-1, but probably won't be.

I don't think correct spelling should get in the way of some strong pun action, so I'm all for it.