northstbuddie

Sorry - did not notice Obika.

Who are the "two up"?

Surely this is not always the annual answer to our problems - ie. January transfer window panic signings. I would rather see us get the best out of the squad we have (barring injuries) and by finding and fielding our best formation. It's an important part of the manager's job to motivate and build up the players he has. Do the supporters not deserve an explanation as to why the 2 'F's are not getting a chance to prove or establish themselves when it is clear to most people that we need more experience in the midfield. It is also obvious to most of us that we will not get the best out of Brophy by playing him as a single striker. We have only occasionally shown an attacking style to our play and created a lot of scoring opportunities. So perhaps it is the system/formation/coaching that's at fault rather than the personnel.

It's not just effort that wins games - we need a bit of guile and quality. Self belief and concentration have also disappeared in recent weeks. Whilst I rate some of our young midfield players they need some old wise heads beside them and too much has been asked of the young ones. And yes - as everyone else has said, we are far too negative in our formation and attitude. But we have the nucleus of a better team than the one that turned up today.

No we haven't - we've been like this for a while.

If we lose this one - I won't be too disappointed. We do not deserve anything . Lacking quality and second to the ball - and as usual practically no efforts on goal. Someone please point out the silver lining.

3-0 for St Johnstone - our B team are not doing too well.

I was about to say - after today's performance back to lockdown for some light relief!

Agree - left wing is not Erwin's best position - but he gave effort and stayed on his feet most of the time - unlike Obika who probably has more raw talent but struggles to get off the seated position when tackled. Agree also tactics did not help - we were again too cautious going forward. We seem to model our style of play on Alf Ramsey's World Cup-winning team - two to the side and one back. That's me giving my age away.

Plus points today for the benefit of Oaky who was apparently reading a book so cannot comment on our performance today. Defensively again we were ok. Midfield not creative enough in the opposition half - but Erhahon looked more like his old self when he came on. McGrath was again our top midfield performer - but he needs more support. Flynn and Foley must now get their chance to prove their worth. Thought Brophy showed he is an improvement on what we have witnessed so far up front. Erwin played well, showed plenty of effort and linked up quite well with Brophy. Quaner also looked promising until his early retiral - hope his injury is not too serious.

We have not played well since 16 December v Sevco. It's the St Mirren way. Today confirmed that we are a bottom (rather than top) six club unless we can improve with the new signings finding their feet. Since 16 December, we have been fortunate to pick up the few points we have.

Is that players or managers?

The decision to replay these games could work in our favour now that we have signed 2 players who might be able to resolve our goal scoring drought. In all fairness though, should Brophy and Quaner be permitted to play in the matches against Hamilton and Motherwell, as they were not available for the original fixtures?

Thanks for clarifying your argument.

You can play whatever game you want to play - that's up to you. I repeat again that I was merely claiming that we are no worse off after the exodus to Easter Road. I appreciate what Jack Ross did for us when employed by St Mirren but things seem a bit more secure under Jim Goodwin.

I didn't - but did not want to stretch my case too far back into history.

Sorry - John Potter

Sorry I can't recall Jack Ross ever managing St Mirren in the SPL - was he not off to green pastures by then which left St Mirren in a hell of a mess which we are only now just recovering from. So how can you claim he has a better record than JG? Hibs probably have a budget 3 or 4 times the size of St Mirren's. In less than 2 seasons JG has achieved a steady improvement in St Mirren's standing in the SPL - something which JR never aspired to.

I stand corrected. However, his current employers seem to have a predilection for anything St Mirren - John McGinn, Jason Naismith, David Porter, Darren McGregor, Jim Goodwin (unsuccessful), Craig Samson, Stevie Mallan and Kyle Magennis - oh and not forgetting our kitman.

It's you that now has me confused. I was merely making the point in my original post that whilst Hibs seem to have had a strong hankering after our better players (and other employees) we have ended up with a squad (especially after the recent signings) after 2 years of Jim Goodwin in charge, which is just as strong as if they had stayed at St Mirren. I would not disagree with your comments on Paul McGinn but do not consider that there is much between him and Marcus Fraser. Nor was I suggesting that Mallan and Magennis would not be competing for places in the squad but that they would not be automatic first choices. In my opinion both Jamie McGrath and Jake Doyle-Hayes would edge them out based on current form/fitness levels. And the reason people keep referring to Jack Ross years after he has left St Mirren is that he has had a long history of signing our players and coaches compared to those from any other club.

More of a Jim Goodwin Good thread.

I think it is an indication of how well JG has recruited in the past year or so that the 2 McGinns, Magennis and Mallan would be probably no more than squad players and that applies also to players who went to other clubs - eg Hladky and Naismith. It is also questionable if Ross would have done a better job as manager than Goodwin. However, that is all conjecture and (my) opinion. But I remember when Goodwin had the chance to go to Hibs as a player he chose to stay at St Mirren which perhaps shows he has that commitment to the club which was perhaps less evident with (Saints till I die) Ross.

I did not mean to lose you - sorry for that. My main point in posting this topic is that I would seriously question whether any of our ex players would be automatic first team choices (other than McGinn and McLean) although the likes of Lewis Morgan is another who might come into that category.

Many of us mockingly refer to Hibs as our 'B' team - they have scavenged our manager, players, coaches and (even) kit man over recent years. Having listened to some of the commentary on their game at Parkhead against Celtic's 'B' team where they struggled to compete positively for most of the game (until they were a goal behind), it made me wonder how many of our ex employees, wherever they are now, would be first team choices for St Mirren today (including the manager). Obviously, John McGinn and Kenny McLean would have a chance, but who else can you think of would replace what we've got at present?