northstbuddie

Danny Finlayson looked good at right fullback for Linfield while he was on. Perhaps a bit pre-mature in lending him out for a further season?

Overall it's an encouraging performance - there is better movement from the team compared to last year (apart from at throw ins). Our new signings look good but for me the standout is young Murray Campbell - he does not look like a fifteen year old - he has good composure on the ball and looks as if he has the build and maturity to compete for a first team place this season (if we can manage to hold on to him).

Maybe Gogic will put one past him - talking of which surely we can afford to sign him if we have any kind of ambition of finishing in the top six. Watch the second half on Premier Sports.

Strangely, I agree with your comments to some extent. However, when we do manage to get to (or near) a final, we do manage to acquire a few thousand extra supporters from somewhere.

On what evidence do you base that assumption?

It's hard to think of another club in Scotland with our population base who have under-achieved to the extent of St Mirren since the 1980s. Despite that, we managed a cup win in !987 and a league cup win in 2013 - an indication of our potential compared to the likes of Ayr United, Airdrie, Raith Rovers, Livingston and Falkirk. However, that IMO was due more to the players and management at the time, rather than the board. On-field success has not been matched behind the scenes to maintain the standing of the club within the Scottish context for a town the size of Paisley and surrounding area. We have consistently fallen considerably short of the likes of Kilmarnock, Motherwell and even St Johnstone (although in the case of the latter, not in attendances). PS: I do acknowledge the success of the board in providing the training facilities at Ralston but consider that St Mirren should be attracting larger crowds than it has done for the past few decades.

Indeed - it was spot on for a club with our ambitions.

Our dinky little purpose-built stadium (according to Wikipedia) is the 21st largest football stadium in Scotland - behind the likes of Ayr United, Airdrie, Raith Rovers, Livingston and Falkirk. Remember Paisley is the largest town in Scotland after the so-called cities. We are on a par with the likes of Inverness Caley, Clyde and Arbroath. That's forward planning for you buddies! This is why we have to allocate 2 stands to the ugly sisters - at the expense and inconvenience of the loyal home fans.

Isn't it a good thing that there is apparently no speculation in the press about who we are about to sign for next season? It doesn't necessarily mean we are having no success - quite the opposite (I hope).

I wonder if Keith Lasley's arrival will change our previous practice of accepting the first offer that comes along for our better players for the grand sum of a tuppence farthing (with add-ons).

What's just as important this close season is who we hold on to - like Erhahon, Flynn and Gogic. Young Ethan is developing into a classy midfielder (when he screws the bobbin); Flynn (if he stays fit) is versatile and he will use his experience to develop and encourage others; and Gogic should be a priority to sign on a permanent basis. Also, JG may be hovering around to lure the likes of Shaughnessy, Dunne and Kiltie to the other team in all-red.

As has already been said, we've got to make the signing of Gogic a priority. If we manage to finish above the Dons, the money gained should be used for that purpose. He's even a standout at centre back.

Shaughnessy?

Jim Clunie was probably the best centre half who has played for St Mirren in my lifetime. He was also the most skilful defender in Scotland in his era but was overlooked for international caps because of the bias within the SFA towards inferior Old Firm players.

Must be quite a few years since we looked forward to a visit to Pittodrie with hopes of at least a draw. So let's not do it the usual St Mirren way - ie falling at the last hurdle.. It would be nice to finish above both Aberdeen and Hibs

As it stands, it's all set up for us to fall at the last hurdle at Pittodrie - behind Goodwin's duffers on goal difference - it's the St Mirren way.

Scrappiest game of the season o far.

Do St Mirren know about this?

A bit of a selection dilemma for the Buddies next season - with a fully fit Brophy and also Main in his current form, will Greive be able to claim a starting place in the team? We may also sign another striker to provide cover for injury and to encourage competition for the starting role, assuming that we will normally start with two strikers. Remember also that Robinson seems to rate Kieran Offord who by the way does not appear in the club's website for the first team squad - have I missed something?

Erhahon's passing ability could be a telling factor today - there aren't many other alternatives in this lineup. Let's hope he is switched on this afternoon.

I see Alex Gogic is now considering staying on in Scotland - https://news.stv.tv/sport/alex-gogic-happy-to-consider-a-future-in-scotland Hope we are trying to entice him to extend his stay with the Buddies.

I know it's a bit early to come to this view - but if Robinson can continue to get the best out of Curtis Main, then it should be a bit of a cake walk to get the most out of Erhahon next season. Goodwin was not recognised for his ability to get the best out of existing players but to buy in new players and give them the chance to shine at St Mirren - eg. Ronan and McGrath.