BanburyBud

In case anyone missed it. Ross scored for Alloa

February 1977 (I was 13 years old)  and that cup tie with a crowd of 26,709  contained more St. Mirren fans  in Fir Park than there's ever been Motherwell fans  in that ground...ever!!!

Good result yesterday against a team which managed to make life difficult despite their recent loss of form.
Two issues, one of which I've mentioned before.
1. Why so many long balls up to our front players, who are not tall? As well as yesterday's game, this has happened too much recently, noticeably against Livi and Dumbarton, both teams who have big defenders. Against them our ball players have little chance of collecting these high passes. The goal that won the game for us yesterday was the result of a quick passing movement with the ball kept on the ground. More of this, please.
2. I've previously stated my opinion that we need a strong tackler in midfield to break up attacks and give the defence more protection. That's why other teams are starting to create more chances against us. It's good to see that some others on here agree with me on that. Until we get someone like Jim Goodwin in the middle of the park, we'll be living dangerously.
Despite all that, it's great to see us back on top of the league and I trust in our management team to do something about these points.
Tough games coming up v Queen of the South, United and Morton, so.......COYS!!

It was down the other end but looked like a penalty to me. 
We were denied a stonewall penalty early in the first half when Baird was bundled in the box, the referee let them kick Morgan all over the park, particularly in the first half. 
Dunno about breaks you get when you’re at the top, Brechin got plenty of refereeing decisions today. I’d say the referees are just shite. 
If Brechin had managed a point today it would have been deserved. They were very unlucky and caused us all sorts of problems. 
Quite a few communication mix ups in defence today, especially between Samson and Baird. On another day they could have scored 3 against us. 
Huge 3 points in the end on a very difficult pitch. 

Wee interview in today's Daily Ranger ....
 
“You’ll never have to buy another drink again.”
It’s a phrase that Conor Newton still has ringing in his ears.
He hasn’t been back to Paisley since his second loan spell ended in 2014 – but one goal has set him up for life if he ever decides to return to the town.
When St Mirren fans talk about their side’s League Cup 2013 triumph, they really mean the moments the ball hit the back of the net.
Newton, who was on-loan from Newcastle United, has never been a prolific goalscorer. Even he admits he probably shouldn’t have shot from the edge of the box while the clash remained finely balanced at 2-1. “I should have taken another touch,” he laughs down the phone, “I should have taken my time... not that anyone was complaining.”
As history would have it, Newton’s snapshot, while finding himself faced with just Hearts keeper Jamie MacDonald, would find the back of the net.
The masses roared as the red-headed Englishman with a Geordie accent gave their side a 3-1 advantage, while 150 miles from home.
But still Newton maintains that in hindsight the occasion may have got the better of him.
“Watching it back I have to wonder what I was doing,” he says.
“I think the moment just took over. I’ve just looked up and seen the keeper and thought why not. If anyone else was to do that I would have been shouting and screaming at them.
“But you’re in a cup final, and sometimes you have to be greedy. Thank God it went in because I could have got all sorts of grief if it hadn’t.”
For much of the game, St Mirren, and their supporters, were on tenterhooks, finding it difficult to break down a stubborn Hearts side. Ryan Stevenson’s early goal, taking a deflection off of Newton’s old mate Paul Dummett, saw the Gorgies deflate the Geordies in the Paisley ranks.
Isma Goncalves’ strike levelled things up before Steven Thompson famously fired his hometown team into the lead shortly after the break.
But Hearts were always in pursuit of the leveller – before Newton played a deft one-two with Goncalves before thumping home.
Two goals in the lead, Saints would have been forgiven for believing the trophy was theirs. But with just under half an hour left to play, Newton is adamant that you couldn’t be any further from the truth.
“From a neutrals point of view it must have been a fascinating match to watch,” he admits, “But to play in? It was terrible from a nerves point of view,
“It was end to end and we were just so nervous.
“We came back from behind – but when Ryan Stevenson scores to get Hearts a goal back, they were piling on the pressure in the end. We were clinging on for dear life in all honesty.”
When Craig Thomson blew for full-time, it brought an end to 26-years without a major trophy for St Mirren. For a generation, it was their first glimpse of the Saints lifting some silverware when Jim Goodwin collected the League Cup before lofting it in the air in front of the black and white masses.
Being so far from home, there was a little piece of Newcastle at Hampden, with a family caught up in the occasion and becoming Buddies for the day.
So as the whistle pierced the chilly Glasgow air, Newton looked up to his family to share the moment with his nearest and dearest.
“When that final whistle goes it was just relief and elation,” he added, “You see the fans celebrating and you realise just how much it means to everyone.
“Obviously I wasn’t a St Mirren supporter, I had only really been at the club for a few months, but you got caught up in the moment.
“My family filled a bus from Newcastle, the whole Newton clan, around 30 of them where at Hampden so to be able to share those memories and have them there to see – that was special.
“It really was the romance of the cup. St Mirren fans won’t mind me saying it, but they aren’t a massive club, and no one really expected us to get as far as we did, especially when you consider we played the likes of Aberdeen and Celtic just to get there.”
The infamous parties went on in Paisley for days, with Newton’s strike sparking days of bevvying on the streets of the town as the players took in the adulation of the support at every possible opportunity.
Mobbed by fans telling him they loved him, the midfielder was more than happy to share the moment.
And although he has hardly been in the town since that day, Newton says one promise never passed him by, joking: “I was told I would never have to buy a drink in Paisley again – and one of these days I’ll have to take them all up on that offer.”
Newton’s burst on to the scene was something which he explains happened literally over night.
At the age of 21 he got the all in January asking him if he would be interested in joining up with Newcastle teammate Paul Dummett, who had been at the Buddies since the start of that season.
Having been forced to bide his time in a Magpies youth team littered with talent, he admits he jumped at the opportunity to link up with a senior side.
However, one training session with Paul McGowan and Jim Goodwin, he laughs, opened his eyes to what it would take to make an impression in Scotland.
“I was more than aware what I was getting myself into because Paul had been at St Mirren for the previous six months,” Newton explained.
“In all honesty the move was a bit unexpected because I hadn’t played much football, let alone at senior level. It was daunting because I had never really been among experienced players before apart from being used as a mannequin from time to time in Newcastle training, where you were basically invisible.
“I went up in the middle of the night and stayed with Paul at first and it was a fantastic time. I wasn’t really in the set-up at Newcastle so to be given the opportunity to test myself in Scotland was one I really looked forward to.
“I remember the training being really difficult on the first day, thinking ‘I’m really going to have to up my game here if I am going to get any sort of chance’. Going in for a challenge with McGowan on day one opened my eyes to everything it would take.”
Looking back, that St Mirren team that won the cup in 2013 was the strongest in some time. Newton admits that he was shocked to see the side relegated a couple of years after his departure back down south.
Having watched from afar as the team started to struggle, Newton highlights the talent and personalities in the squad that Danny Lennon and Tommy Craig had built over that period.
“Down south sometimes people laugh at the game in Scotland,” he added, “But I was blown away by the talent which we had in that St Mirren side. Kenny McLean, Paul McGowan and John McGinn were all unreal players.
“Gary Teale, Jim Goodwin, David van Zanten were all great, experienced pros to have around the place too. Goody obviously had a bit of a reputation but there was no one you would rather have alongside you, these guys helped me straight away.
“Looking back it was a real good group of boys. There is a lot of guys who have gone on to great things.
“All you have to do is look at Graham Carey, he is flying at Plymouth and I think he scored 20 odd goals in League Two last season. Carey is a boy who struggled to even get in the team at times at St Mirren.
“Sean Kelly got a move down south for a while, and Jason Naismith was coming through the ranks too and has gone on to have a good career.”
Newton is now turning out for English National League side Hartlepool United following stints at Rotherham United and Cambridge in recent seasons.
With a young daughter, he revealed that he was always on the hunt for a move closer to home this summer, with Hartlepool coming along at the perfect time.
However, although only four years since that day at Hampden, Newton concedes the cup final drama feels like forever ago.
But that’s not to mean he doesn’t still revel in the glory...
“I look back on the whole cup experience as the best in my career.
“I maybe didn’t appreciate as much as I should have back then, but looking back everything just fell into place at the right time.
“St Mirren will also hold a piece of my heart because of that. It was the best time of my career, and I have the fondest of memories.”

On that showing Dunfemline were better than us by a good mile they bossed us. very impressed by them they will be there come the end of the season. Us ? Bad day at the office 3 key players back soon. We wil be there abouts also come the end of the season all is not lost. 

Making the point that I don't care how good or cheap another teams service is as this is the ONLY service available to me as a Saints fan. You may think unnecessary but your point may as well have compared Sky or BT sport to SMFC tv so IMHO also unnecessary.
If you think something is not worth the money don't buy it simple but comparing a service which is similar but not the same seems kinda pointless.
 
SS

Well the good feeling didn't last long. Bad result yes but lets face it the team will improve. Davis signing is a huge bonus and Jack is looking for a striker. Once we get the right player in night's like tonight will not happen to often. 

How are St Johnstone going to get on in away games at Rugby Park? Sometimes you have to wonder at some people's thought patterns. For example....
1. We've got millions of people looking at Glasgow for the opening ceremony - I know, let's blow up some shitey tower blocks.
2. Our home kit is blue and white - I know, let's make the away kit white and blue.
3. Let's have an open day - I know, let's restrict it to season ticket holders.
 
In all seriousness, what the fcuk went on at those meetings? Class A substances?

Sorry bud but that is unfair on Danny! He did a decent job, as did Gus for me!
Since then the appointments have been criminal and St Mirren fans have been well and truly hoodwinked and shortchanged. Make no mistake if change doesn't happen soon we will be staring a double relegation through a double barrel!
I know the "happy clappers" will be saying it's early days but there is absolutely no sign of improvement......

I think, at this level, they are a decent squad of players bud. But totally misdirected by a, in fairness to him, a keen enough manager but well and truly out of his depth who is constantly out thought both tactically and passionately by wise old owls like Houston, Duffy and McKinnon tonight.
No doubt we are a big gun at this level but we have a manager who doesn't cut it. No harm to the guy I have no doubt he is trying his best. He just doesn't have it......

Sorry bud but that is unfair on Danny! He did a decent job, as did Gus for me!
Since then the appointments have been criminal and St Mirren fans have been well and truly hoodwinked and shortchanged. Make no mistake if change doesn't happen soon we will be staring a double relegation through a double barrel!
I know the "happy clappers" will be saying it's early days but there is absolutely no sign of improvement......

Sorry bud but that is unfair on Danny! He did a decent job, as did Gus for me!
Since then the appointments have been criminal and St Mirren fans have been well and truly hoodwinked and shortchanged. Make no mistake if change doesn't happen soon we will be staring a double relegation through a double barrel!
I know the "happy clappers" will be saying it's early days but there is absolutely no sign of improvement......

I would hope Murray would have the savvy to realise he's out of his depth, I suspect he'll linger for a while like a duff ride the next morning.

Sorry bud but that is unfair on Danny! He did a decent job, as did Gus for me!
Since then the appointments have been criminal and St Mirren fans have been well and truly hoodwinked and shortchanged. Make no mistake if change doesn't happen soon we will be staring a double relegation through a double barrel!
I know the "happy clappers" will be saying it's early days but there is absolutely no sign of improvement......

Sorry bud but that is unfair on Danny! He did a decent job, as did Gus for me!
Since then the appointments have been criminal and St Mirren fans have been well and truly hoodwinked and shortchanged. Make no mistake if change doesn't happen soon we will be staring a double relegation through a double barrel!
I know the "happy clappers" will be saying it's early days but there is absolutely no sign of improvement......

Sorry bud but that is unfair on Danny! He did a decent job, as did Gus for me!
Since then the appointments have been criminal and St Mirren fans have been well and truly hoodwinked and shortchanged. Make no mistake if change doesn't happen soon we will be staring a double relegation through a double barrel!
I know the "happy clappers" will be saying it's early days but there is absolutely no sign of improvement......

Reaping what we've sown for quite a few years now.
Don't blame Murray, don't blame Teale, don't blame Craig, don't blame Lennon.
Blame the people who have decided to run our club at a level way below where we've been operating. You do this, you gradually end up there.
But, hey, as long as we survive eh...? Who cares if we're any good!?

Can't believe how inept and, alarmingly, unfit we look.
In fairness we were looking good for first 20 minutes of second half. But then run out of steam and could see the sucker punch coming! That from a team with no away points until now!
Murray proved how out of his depth he is by substituting our biggest threat and leaving the non entity Howieson on for 90 minutes!
The one positive was shankland and his fury as he walked off the park shows the boy has some heart....... Either that or he's thinking what the feck did I come here for????
All in all I actually think we have better players than last season BUT a clueless manager and assistant who are well and truly out of their depth. Another master stroke by Gilmour and co!

Was it anymore a red card than the cynical challenge on McMullan in the first half?

When we used our pace in the team we caused them problems. Gallagher made a big difference when he came on. Langfield clearly gives the defence confidence and his performance was worthy of man of the match. Watson was relatively impressive, for me too.
All in all I think we've got to be happy with the point. Morton were obviously going to come at as being the home team and first derby for 15 years. To that end I think we coped with their pressure reasonably well.
As confidence grows I think we will start to progress as a team.

When we used our pace in the team we caused them problems. Gallagher made a big difference when he came on. Langfield clearly gives the defence confidence and his performance was worthy of man of the match. Watson was relatively impressive, for me too.
All in all I think we've got to be happy with the point. Morton were obviously going to come at as being the home team and first derby for 15 years. To that end I think we coped with their pressure reasonably well.
As confidence grows I think we will start to progress as a team.

Spot on BanburyBud, but that positivity won't catch on amongst the usual suspects on here

When we used our pace in the team we caused them problems. Gallagher made a big difference when he came on. Langfield clearly gives the defence confidence and his performance was worthy of man of the match. Watson was relatively impressive, for me too.
All in all I think we've got to be happy with the point. Morton were obviously going to come at as being the home team and first derby for 15 years. To that end I think we coped with their pressure reasonably well.
As confidence grows I think we will start to progress as a team.