houston_bud

Heard that in the interview, what happened? His best mate was killed in a car crash a few weeks back.

Beaton's a disgrace.

Have United had their player of the year awards? John Beaton must be in with a shout.

Nip and tuck again. Another dubious decision goes United's way in the playoffs. Harsh penalty Baird's about 2 yards from the boy, how's he meant to get out the way? Thank Christ for Mark Connolly, great finish by Mullen though. McAllister's chopped off goal was awful tight, not convinced that's offside. We've got the wind in the second half, hopefully that can give us the edge.

I'm not sure I agree with the premise of your question. It implies that Dundee Utd were the team playing with more pace. McMullen faded in the second half and with it Dundee Utd. I thought we looked more dangerous, particularly McAllister - who Robson kept quiet in the first half - as the game went on. Looks like I'm not the only one with this opinion.

I certainly don't have a lot of confidence, I don't think my post implied that. I've stated I think United have better players. As the game went on I thought we had more and more possession and looked more comfortable. Cooke started to get the better of Connolly, McAllister started to get past Robson more often, Magennis and Flynn were getting on the ball and past their men more. United resorted to lumping balls into Safranko which I think we dealt with well. The only hairy moment was right at the death where the ball broke and Mackenzie was sharper than Safranko to get it clear.

Yeah because you attacking for 90mins was exactly what happened on Thursday. United have better players, but I think St. Mirren are a bit fitter and sharper. We made one sub (in the 92nd minute) the other night, the players looked tired but were still first to most balls. I reckon if we can keep it tight for 70 mins we'll have enough.

You're keeper was announced as MOTM. I think we could've been more positive though. Cooke should've been off for Mullen with half an hour to play. Dundee Utd are shaky at the back, that lad Connolly is dreadful, but we didn't ask enough questions. Took us until stoppage time to make a sub, the players were shattered.

Always knew Cody Cooke was a player!

Egg on my face.

We were certainly put through the wringer, I suppose it's experiencing the lows that make you appreciate the highs that bit more. It's maybe easy for me to look back now with rose tinted specs about how much I enjoyed that season.

That was one of my favourite seasons following St. Mirren. Even the anticipation of winning our first game and being able to lord it over whoever that was, after being so bad. I remember being convinced we were going to beat Falkirk away and couldn't wait to give them the vickies at 90mins. Baird got sent off and we lost 3-1. That must have been December. We won the following midweek away to QoS and typically I couldn't make it. So many great games in the second half of that season too. Away to Morton and Ayr, beating Hibs 2-0 with a Stelios double, the home win over Dundee Utd, humping Ayr and Raith at home.

I see the logic in bringing Jackson off the bench, if that's what we go with I'd rather start Nazon though. Cooke's okay but I don't feel he's got much of an end product.

I don't think Mullen's is as bad as some people are making out. I don't think there was any intent, he puts his foot up but I reckon it's more to block the ball. He catches the boy on the shin with his studs but there's no real force behind it. You see red cards for it, but I think he would have been unlucky. Fair play to Ziggy Gordon for just getting up and on with it. Same for Ogkmpoe, he's late and has caught Mackenzie but I don't think he's deliberately tried to clatter his head. Two yellows for me. Who was the Hamilton player in the first two minutes who went right through Mullen (I think it was Mullen). That was a dreadful challenge right over the ball. As clear a yellow as you'll see. Collum waved play on. That set the tone for the night.

He's hot and cold, probably due to his injuries and the fact he hasn't played a huge amount of first team games. The boy has talent though, technically one of the best players we've had in a while.

I thought it looked accidental but he's so late it should have been a yellow card. Can't remember who it was but a Hamilton player put in a dreadful challenge about 2 mins in and Collum didn't even give a foul. Strange as he's usually delighted to get cards out his pocket. As I said I think he's let a lot go and been fairly consistent.

Easy to see why these teams are at the wrong end of the table, error prone at the back, not clinical at all up front. I'm probably in a minority of 1 here but I reckon Collum has had a decent game. 2 teams scrapping away, he's let a lot go. Mullen could have been booked, as could the big striker. Red card was the right call, no question about that. As for MacKenzie's head knock, I agree that football has to change something. If a player is deemed to be concussed then he should be able to be subbed, without that counting as one of the subs, if that makes sense.

Absolutely, Hamilton have had out number this season and they have been grinding out results the past few weeks too. This will be a tough game, not one for the purists.

Back in February there were some Falkirk fans saying that McKinnon had done a great job in the transfer window and that you would be well clear of relegation. What happened?

McShane was really good for us, but I never fancied him to do well in the Premiership. He wants too much time on the ball. His set pieces were infuriating as well. I think the Championship is his level. I hope he does well for Falkirk. I'd take him ahead of Tansey from what we've seen so far. Although I do have sympathy for Tansey, he was a good player. Hopefully it's just games that he needs to get back to a decent level and he's not finished. As for Stubbs tenure, there aren't many St. Mirren fans that would have been sentimental about Championship winning players had he brought good players to replace them. There is something to be said for keeping the nucleus of a winning squad though. Livingston must have 7 or 8 regulars who were playing last year, from that there must be a few who were playing in League 1 2 seasons ago. Livingston have added decent players to their squad and done well. Stubbs ripped the guts out our squad.

Is there an 'OK out' camp?? I haven't spoken to anyone that's calling for his head. I agree with the points you make about him. The tinkerman approach is really frustrating. Fair enough some changes are needed for injuries/suspensions but we hardly seem to play the same formation two weeks on the bounce let alone have a settled team.

Why? At a club the size is of Sunderland I wouldn't be surprised if Jack Ross had little to do with arranging a loan move for a youth player. Even if he does, maybe Dundee enquired and we didn't. Maybe the player's agent knows someone at Dundee and arranged it. Or maybe Jack Ross trusts Jim McIntyre more than Oran Kearney. There's any number of reasons why. I don't understand how we can't just look back fondly at Ross's time with us. He's not out to get us, he's out to do the best for Sunderland.

How much input is Ross likely to have in these loan deals? Sunderland will have structures in place to get certain players out on loan. He can hardly block a young player going to get first team football because it might harm his former club.