BC17

Jim Goodwin's guide dog likes this.

We didn't play a 4-4-2 though, it was more of a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 with Erwin as a left-sided forward. If it WAS meant to be a 4-4-2 it was dreadfully organised considering nobody was playing as the left-sided midfielder.

Fair comment, but Durmus has been involved in every matchday squad since late November - barring Killie when he supposedly had a neck injury - and has started games in that period, as well as coming off the bench in most of them, so I'm not sure it's an excuse in his case. I don't deny that there may be long-term effects from the illness, but he's looked sharp when introduced in recent weeks. Regardless, he's not the only one who seems to be down the pecking order at the moment.

Agree. For example, we have a guy who won us numerous points last season in Durmus, warming the bench and barely getting a sniff - while we try to squeeze a hapless "target man" into his natural position. Absolutely baffling. Granted, Durmus didn't have a great time of it early in the season, but he's made a difference coming on in recent games and is a goal threat. In fact, Durmus has scored more at this level than Erwin in the last two seasons, and that's with him being a bit-part player this year.

Certainly no panic required, but I do think we have questions to ask after another poor performance. No goals on target at a team below us in the table is not good enough. We've just signed two new strikers and yet we look more toothless than ever.

See if Goodwin comes out with a "you've got to give St Johnstone credit"...

Has anyone worked out what Lee Erwin is meant to be yet? Because it certainly isn't a footballer I'm afraid. He should be bottom of the pecking order for our strikers now. Utterly hopeless.

Fucking dreadful from us so far. Jim did well to get us going on that run earlier in the season but he really does show himself up to be clueless at times.

Our formation is a shambles thus far. Erwin was the one who crossed for Brophy's penalty claim - why don't we play a natural left winger in Durmus? McGrath seems undroppable despite having done nothing for weeks.

I hate picking on specific players but Erwin just is not good enough. He needs to go if we have top six ambitions. He cannot be a first-choice striker or anything close to it. I can't believe he's played for us over 20 times already this season. It feels like we've taken two steps forward then two steps back in recent weeks, to the point where we offer very little attacking threat.

Something else that is worth mentioning. We are 11 unbeaten but how bizarre is it that this run includes those uninspiring draws against Morton and QOTS? They seem like a lifetime ago already. Another sign of how far we've come.

I also disagree that this is the best Saints team of the last 30 years, the 2013 side just trumps it for excitement and having some top-class individuals - that side couldn't defend particularly well but by god could it attack. In saying that, my view on that could yet change before this season is out. I have to admit I have egg on my face from earlier this season. Jim Goodwin has proven me, and a lot of people, wrong - and it's absolutely fucking glorious. I love the man, he is the only cup-winning captain in my lifetime and he will be in my greatest 11 for as long as I live. The strength in depth we now have - particularly in midfield - is amazing, considering how paper thin we were just a couple of months back. I still have reservations about the likes of Erwin, although fair play to the big man for getting on the scoresheet today, but our ability to bring someone like Obika off the bench speaks volumes. The fact guys like MacPherson, Flynn and Foley are on the bench speaks even bigger volumes. We are one or two players away from being a genuine top-six squad now. All I want for Christmas, is new deals for Connolly and Doyle-Hayes. Make it happen Fitzy!

This aged well. [emoji1787] I thought we were pretty awful first 30 but once we started getting in their faces, and Connolly and McGrath got on the ball, we were excellent. McGrath has been superb of late but I really think Connolly is a huge player for us now, carries us up the park and puts defenders under real pressure. Credit to Jim Goodwin, he really has turned this around and maybe we're starting to find our scoring touch now too. What a night.

Goodwin has shat the bed with his tactics early on here. We have nothing to lose.A second goal and the game's already gone.

I don't think it's a huge coincidence that this run is coinciding with us finding a settled starting 11, and a much more balanced one at that. Connolly and Durmus on the wings gives us genuine width and pace, and I can't imagine too many defences will enjoy playing against them. I think if we can find someone to challenge Obika for the number 9 position, who can add a goal or two at this level (something we haven't seen from our current crop of back-up strikers) we will be in a strong position.

Loving this year's episodes, but it is really making me miss going to the football. Between the banter, the focus on clubs up and down the land, and the short films, I've come away from it a few times wishing I was heading to a ground on the Saturday.

Mine does this. Says something she believes to be correct. I disagree. This goes on a wee while. I go and find the information that proves I'm right. She comes out with "you always have to be right". Well yes, because I am right!

They could have made 80% of this without any access behind the scenes. Dross.

Does anyone know what the rules are regarding players socialising etc? I seem to remember Obika saying on the radio a while ago that he was having to avoid going to a restaurant or for a coffee but that was the sacrifice he was willing to make. If Instagram is anything to go by I've seen at least one of our first-team players posting pics from a visit to a pub in recent weeks. If that isn't against the rules then fair enough, but I did find it surprising in the circumstances.

Puts the toilet roll on facing away from the toilet. Absolutely sickening behaviour.

Every time I go to to the shop to pick up some random bits. "So we need milk, bread and washing powder. Anything else?" "No." "You sure?" "Yes." Return 20 minutes later. "Aw I thought you might have got us some nice things for a snack tonight." "If you wanted me to get some nice snacks, you should have told me." She still doesn't tell me.

Pig sick tonight. Watched it on Alba and we were good for the first hour. Played without fear, pressed them high, controlled the game in spells - albeit without posing a great deal of threat. However, not long after we scored you could see us sinking deeper, they got fresh legs on and the inevitable happened. You just knew it was coming. MacPherson and Erhahon, I thought, were very good - and there absolutely no lack of effort throughout the team - but that meant we were dead on our feet after about 70 minutes and that's what cost us. Three outfield players on the bench is a joke, and Goodwin not using them - even just to waste time - is another joke. Let's not pretend Erhahon's wonder goal didn't paper over the cracks, either. We barely had a shot on goal and Erwin and Obika did most of their work 30 yards from goal. We're an absolute mess on all fronts, and I honestly don't see an easy way out of this.

The one thing that really surprises me is the lack of tenacity and fight this team seems to have, given who we have in charge. As a player, Goodwin could grab games by the scruff of the neck and get the team going, even if we were a bit up against it. We've had two red cards this season but not because we're nasty b*****ds, those have been down to poorly timed challenges/frustration. I don't know what Goodwin is like behind the scenes, but he comes across as too nice in public. In every interview he previews "another difficult match" or words to that effect. It is always about trying to get a "positive result" rather than winning. He gives other teams too much respect and I think that comes across in how we play too. I don't think our squad, on paper, is that bad. We have some talented and experienced players in there, and not the Gus Macpherson journeyman kind - these are mainly guys who are either at the peak of their careers or on the way up (or at least should be). But for whatever reason they are underperforming, even when compared to last season. Goodwin clearly talks a good game - every signing we've made this season has spoken of how he convinced them to make the move - and he seems to be well-liked. But he needs to start walking the walk, and showing he has the credentials to do this job. For me it is balancing on a knife edge at the moment and the next few weeks are huge for him, and us. As a final point, I should also say that the players are not totally blameless here, but when we're constantly changing the line-up and system, and playing guys out of position, it isn't surprising to see them struggling.

A colleague who I message hourly on Teams constantly tags me when writing my name, even though the chat is between just the two of us. Then I have to go on and clear the notification of him tagging me. It fucks me right off.

Car went into the garage today for its MOT. She arrives at the garage and the gates aren't open for the car park, so she has to park on the street and walk in with the keys. She feels the need to phone me at work purely to tell me this plan of action.