MarkCorrigan

Definitely invited them on a bit too much. Were not punished because they lacked the creativity required to break us down. Everything came from the wings, mainly Tavernier.

Are we? Thought that, before we signed Morias, the talk was of "one or two more" players coming in. Though a striker with a proven scoring record would be brilliant and so is always welcome, we badly need full back cover (and maybe another central defender).

We defended well for the most part today. On a couple of occasions Tavernier was allowed to sling crosses in too easily and things like that, but we were most very good at the back. I have no idea whether Rangers always play like this but they put a lot of pressure on our defence when we were looking to play out from the back. We didn't *always* deal well with that, and Callum Waters got into trouble a couple of times in particular. Normally, you'd not want the team launching the ball aimlessly up the field but he'd have been better served doing that on occasion, even to give our team ten seconds to regain its shape. I think at one point in the first half Hladky was trying to impress this upon him. While I got the reason for our cautious approach, I think we showed them a bit too much respect in how deep we played. They got their winner in the end, of course, but they actually lacked creativity. Moreover, their full backs didn't look like they enjoyed being got at any more than ours did, and McAllister looked to have the beating of Barisic. So I'd have liked to have seen us have a bit more of a go at times. I don't think Rangers are all *that* clever defensively and Tavernier basically plays as a right winger most of the time....if we could have gotten balls over the top there to a speedy winger, we could have had some joy. We also seemed unwilling to push up sometimes when there was a chance for a counter attack, the team lacked movement in those instances and I felt like Andreu in particular needed to do more to link up in that respect. No disgrace or anything, but we were in the game and could have taken something had we been willing to attack a little more quickly before the last 15 minutes. On Morias, probably should be scored but at least he was in the right position which shows he can sniff out a chance. Made a chance for himself and showed ability to win a free kick with his strength in holding the ball up. It's just a personal thing but if the manager is going to ask the striker to sit deep in these games, I would prefer him or Mullen up front rather than Obika, just because I feel the smaller players are more able to rush around and harry the other team's defenders. Jury's out on games where we have more of the ball though - unclear who's going to be the best goalscorer and take their chances!

I mean, you'd like to think our esteemed player-signers would have joined up thinking like that

So, look, of course, the club had better have seen a bit more of the player than we have haha! And, yes, YouTube is a showreel (in this kinda instance) showing the best of a player so it's not the full picture. Nevertheless, some very nice finishes in there and lots of different kinds of goal. Headers, 1 on 1s with the goalie and half-chance snapshots. Good finishing, strength and pace on display. If he signs, we cross our fingers and hope he can do that for us on a regular basis and then we will all be very happy!

Think that's right. Nobody laughed at Popescu valuation or suggested that Dinamo had a cheek. It was more along the lines of "it's a bit rich for our blood".

If he can be kept, we should do so unless: i) the amount offered outweighs the risks of financial loss through being relegated and/or the board thinks we have sufficient quality to stay up even if he leaves; ii) we think we can source someone of the same quality in time for the start of the league season. Obviously immaterial if any release clause he might have is so low that any serious suitors will meet it with ease.

As some have remarked, it seems more likely he will end up back in Perth. The player has certainly not lived up the form shown in his earlier career BUT there was a player in there. At his best, fast, strong and could make stuff happen on his own. It's as others have remarked, it all depends on which Stevie May turns up....

Wondering about this too!

I echo the thoughts of those who say we now have a management team and should all get behind them in the hopes that they do the good job that we surely hope they will (unless some of us are volunteering to suffer to be proven right!). I can see how some people think this is less risky than other managers we could have perhaps pursued, but there is a risk in everything and I think the board is taking one here. It may seem 'safe' to employ from within, but our board will already know from their own experience than this can work and that it can fail. So, it is still a 'risk' even if it is a 'cheap' one (though I would also hold my hands up and say I don't know the sums on this!) and it could backfire on the board - they have still taken a big chance here. On the whole, they have usually done right by the club, so I guess we just have to hope they have got it right here. Might all have been handled a little better, as many have said, mind you.

Aware I am being a massive pedant (sorry!) but we have finished higher than 6th before. More accurate to say in the SP(F)L's history. This is the fault of TV, with its insistence on pretending that things only count from 1998 in Scotland and 1992 in England.

If it is right that it is going to be Craig, this is the most unimaginative appointment possible. The Board could have at least sought someone who there was a bit of excitement surrounding. But, if he gets appointed, I hope I am wrong and that he does a great job and I'll support him in that.

Yeah, if we are ever going to score a few at home in the league this season, you would imagine Thistle would be one of the teams we would be looking to do so against.

Sounds like a cliche (but only said because it is true!) but the first goal will be important. If we go one down, as some others like Kendo have said, I fear a lot of the fans will get on the players' backs (bear in mind that a lot of people don't read forums and won't have seen the appeals for unity, either). If Saints score first, though, it could be a massive lift (mind, we did score first the other night!). I am going to go for a 2-1 home win IF we play with two forwards (which we really ought to, unless we have brought Bahoken here to waste his time) with goals from Thommo and Harkins (who I think will play regardless of how well the midfield fits together) and a crowd of 5,213.

Welcome, Stephane, and good luck! Hope he starts today. We are at home, after all, no excuse for not being more adventurous up front.

Incidentally, while Sammy's reflexes were brilliant and he definitely kept us in many games, he also had his weaknesses. He took forever to get down to shots from outside the box, for example. But the key here is that few people had confidence in him as first choice once, but he grew into it. Cornell can do the same if he's given a chance and not hounded for every error (many of which seem to be a direct result of being asked to play too much with his feet. The manager should have sourced a goalie who was good at that if that was what he wanted).

He's a young guy, who as the OP says, deserves better protection from his defence. In particular, the number of ridiculous backpasses played at him needs to stop, as this is basically asking for the poor guy to make a mistake under pressure. Moreover, at Ross County's third goal last week, he was the only one paying any attention to Brittain's run. He should have shouted a bit louder for cover, rather than just pointing but it is perhaps a measure of where his confidence was at that he didn't speak up, and he may also be worried that his team-mates won't listen. And, when some of them don't seem to listen to their manager, I think that's understandable. Cornell is here and needs to be shown the same sort of support other loanees have and maybe even more since he's clearly nervy. Let's help the guy become more accomplished if we can.

In the unlikely event that this was something the board wanted, then it would be very silly to do it if the club did not get promoted again immediately. Far better to wait one more season (probably, unless Govan lot go bust first) and then have many seasons of gates and TV money against them.

Yes, but surely everyone thought that was nonsense and not necessarily something to be emulated? Same as Bayern Munich at end of last season, mental.

For sure. That was one of John Robertson's main points in his match report on Saturday, stating that St Mirren were 'too nice'. And, having seen, Gowser get pushed off the ball for their first and the likes of McLean strong-armed off the ball repeatedly (by a much bigger player, admittedly, but he didn't really put any resistance in) I would have to agree with Robertson, whom I don't really like as it goes.

I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that Usain Bolt eats Chicken McNuggets, as well! Not typically what you would expect an athlete to eat, but I am sure any protein they get AFTER excercise is considered a good idea.

To be fair, Terry Butcher was for giving his players a fish supper yesterday, and there was even talk of curry sauce! I think the difference is in perception - most people will believe his players deserved a treat yesterday.

Imrie could be right, but would perhaps be better served into looking after his own career first, I would think!

Get what you are saying here, but (despite their obviously better start to the season) I doubt many St Johnstone fans are happy to win 4-0 one week and they get spanked 4-0 the next. I think there could be a lot of that kind of thing in the league this season, but out problem is that we look like we might be consistently bad, as opposed to merely inconsistent.

The frustrating thing is that I think Danny could easily get it very right if he just did one or two things. Tactically, don't ask the defence to pass all the time and ask the forward players to still look for nice passes, but be a bit more direct. And sign players in the areas where we are obviously weak! If a new manager were to come in, I would want him to be someone who will do what Danny thinks he is doing and play nice football, but with some purpose to it. From what I have seen of the under 20s, the youth there are well-drilled in what the club wants. Ok, it's obviously against other young players, but they seem to have the idea that they should always be moving and looking for space instilled in them a lot more fully. They played a genuine three up front and all were able to interchange about the front line and drag defences about. Ok, they got the odd spanking but the attacking play was a joy to watch and they scored goals. I would NOT want any manager who came in to mess with that, and it is a real possibility if we were daft and got a 'hoof and hope' merchant in.