[St Mirren v Queen of the South Championship 10/9/16]

Much sense in what Dare has written above. Both teams scored a number of goals last weekend with us grabbing 4 and QOS 7. 

This has the makings of a cracking game. I hope it lives up to this and that Saints run off the park at the end as 3:2 winners.

This would provide both entertainment, goals and 3 much needed points.

Come on Saints.

[No Sevco or Celtic Colts in SPFL]

5 hours ago, billyg said:

What they might be interested in though , is their big teams leaving for England in a few years with their Colts replacing them in the top Scottish division , therefore weakening the game up here even further. Keep them out !

Well, Billy G, I agree with what you write up to a point.

I do agree with the first part of what you write - that is that both Big Glasgow Clubs may / do want to join the English Leagues.They might be joined by Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen.

My take on it is that change is on-going, that Colts for any Club would have to start at the bottom and work their way up on merit (As per the Sevco/Rangers model)

If they then make it to the top league then it would be fine in my book as it would be done on merit and help to keep local attendances up for other clubs in Scotland.

Others may take a different view.

[What makes a St Mirren Fan?]

 

On ‎05‎/‎09‎/‎2016 at 3:40 PM, Stuart Dickson said:

I'm not taking offence to any of this. I am a customer and I did used to be a fan. I just don't get is why you think that's a weaker proposition. I'm in control now, I don't just empty my pockets on demand. And at the same time if a club wants to keep me going back they need to make the match day experience enjoyable whether or not that involves winning. 

I love my football and would never be without it. What makes you and I different is that I'm more discerning whilst you aren't. I can't see how that makes it a weaker proposition.  

 

 

Mr Dickson. I can see from your post that you have decided that you are more discerning than I am. That may be so but I see it more clearly. This is a difference of opinion, yours and mine. You are welcome to yours. I do not share it but do see where you are coming from. I am afraid that I have no idea who you are or why your opinion should carry more weight. I am happy to be one of the unknown Saints.

[Who Wants Rae tae Stay?]

On 9/2/2016 at 5:03 PM, ged62 said:

He should be given time to get it right, no one has the divine right to win every game. We need a fine balance between the manager & the players getting it right. Even though I've been quite frustrated with what we have been watching the last few week..

I tend to agree with this comment. His performance in turning the team around last season alone merits this. Statistically we were amongst the top four in the league last season when you look at points won in the period till the end of the season. I also like his signings to date but would have preferred to keep both Goodwin and Kelly, but that's just my opinion.

[What makes a St Mirren Fan?]

9 hours ago, Stuart Dickson said:

I don't understand that? In what way is it a weaker proposition? 

Stuart

Firstly. It is only my opinion as it is only yours when you give yours.

Being a fan is not merely a commercial transaction in the sense that being a customer is.

That perhaps is the essence. You either share it or you don't. So one is either a fan or not.

I do not mean offence but it seems that you have made it clear that you were a fan but no longer.

I am sure this happens to others for a variety of reasons.

For me - I remain a fan, a believer, perhaps simply because I want to be.

Otherwise I would go and watch any 11 men in the same shirts running around trying to score against any other 11 trying to do the same.

And yes  - I have done that many times. In these cases, I have been a fan of football but a customer of the club involved.

St. Ricky

[What makes a St Mirren Fan?]

On 8/30/2016 at 2:39 PM, Stuart Dickson said:

Oh I've been there but when I reflect back I think it was more a case of not wanting to be in the house on the Saturday afternoon, than having a really deep desire to watch St Mirren play. 

I can remember the first time I had to change my weekly pattern. It was in 99/00 season. St Mirren were chasing the league title, with one of the most entertaining St Mirren sides I'd ever watched play and I had to go to cover a Dunfermline v Raith Rovers match instead. I should have been gutted, but instead I really enjoyed the drive through to Dunfermline and I watched a entertaining game of football. I had people at the St Mirren game sending me updates, and both Dunfermline and Raith were promotion rivals but I quickly realised that so long as I was at a football match and I was enjoying it, it didn't need to be a St Mirren game at all. 

When St Mirren sacked Tom Hendrie in such an underhand manner it was easy for me to simply take my custom elsewhere. I don't think I had been any less emotionally involved than any other St Mirren fan. I'd travelled home and away for years at that point never missing a match and shouted myself hoarse at every game. But suddenly there was a realisation at that point that St Mirren weren't the club I'd put on a pedestal as a kid. Instead they were just as flawed as any other greed ridden football club at that time. It was all about money and f**k all to do with community, fans, club employees or family and it certainly wasn't about doing the right thing. Maybe my expectation as a fan was just unrealistic, but I honestly thought the cause I was backing was something special. When it proved not to be, it was easy to stop being fanatical. 

These days I still take an interest in the Saints. After the buy out I thought maybe I could be a fan again. I've even tried making an effort to go to more St Mirren matches this season even though they haven't been that enjoyable. My two sons are currently season ticket holders and my mate still goes to every home game with his father in law, so it's quite nice to go and spend an afternoon at the game with them . I'd imagine I'll give it most of this season regardless of how the team plays but if member ownership doesn't deliver a club I can feel better about "supporting" I don't think I'll be all that bothered about switching back to just enjoying my football at whatever game I've picked from the fixture list. I think my days of being a fan of anything are long gone though. Being a customer or a member is far more healthy. 

Fan......derogatory? I don't think so. Customer...possibly but a much weaker proposition. In my opinion.

[Perfidious Albion]

I enjoyed my visit to Coatbridge. Albion 's number 4 had a great game and they must be gutted after going two up to be out of the cup  OK,  we lost two soft goals but there was nail biting throughput until the final whistle. Liked the young lad Mcdonald when he came on. Going through is what matters and a game with 7 goals in can't have been all bad.

[Is Respect Dead?]

I have followed the forums on Black and White Army over the years. It has been clear that a number of internal feuds and pseudo feuds have arisen and taken root. 

It seems too almost now standard to ridicule the views of others, tournaments, the club, the board, the manager, team, players, fans and the opposition.

Now, banter is good. We all enjoy that. Argument is both good and healthy. But ridicule and the use of bad language merely for effect are not.

Is respect for each other now dead? Is that what we want in the forum/

Only asking?

[Perfidious Albion]

I will be a the Albion Rovers v St Mirren match. Low price admission to the stadium is an added attraction.

I hope it will not be treacherous territory for the Buddies and that we move into the next round.

Easy?- no. Do-able? Yes.

Perfidious

adjective

1.

deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful:

a perfidious lover.

 

[Signing This Week?]

Saw him play for the under 20s on Tuesday. He was excellent.

Gordon too, had a good game.

I am not disagreeing on a replacement for Jim Goodwin however.

The more selection headaches the manager has in the forward, midfield, backs and goalkeepers the better.

Results may not show it so far this season (I have been to every match) but I do feel that the squad is stronger.

The under 20's are currently playing brilliantly so they extend the choices for the manager.

(If you have time - go along and watch the under 20s for free.)

 

[What would you spend £8K on?]

6 hours ago, div said:

So SMiSA will soon be polling to ask the members how they would like to see the first trache of "extra money" spent.

They are forecasting to have £8K available and of course the club will be providing details of what they think they are needing but let's hear your own suggestions on how you think the money could be invested.

At the end of the day personally I would like to see the first bit of money spent on something tangible that the fans can see and benefit from but I've no idea what that might be.

A contribution towards the disabled fans platform for example?
 

I would have no argument with the idea suggested here.

[St Mirren Under 20's 2016/17]

On 8/30/2016 at 9:08 PM, div said:

Yeah I'll definitely be back too. Night and day to the stuff we've been watching in the first team.

It does beg the question why some of these lads aren't involved with the first team.

Div.

With performances like the one on Tuesday night, I feel sure a number of the players will get opportunities as the season progresses. I certainly hope so.

[What makes a St Mirren Fan?]

8 hours ago, The Original 59er said:

 

What makes a St Mirren Fan?

It's a good question and one that is worthy of this site!

I was born outside of the town, but dragged up and educated in it, so at the relatively tender age of 9 I was taken to Love St by my Dad (who was a Plastic Whistle supporter) and from that point on I was hooked. 

In these days crowds of 8 to 10,000 were commonplace with the old firm and the likes of Hearts, Hibs or Aberdeen pushing the crowds up beyond 15,000 regularly. Not everything in these days was rosy, there were the ups and mostly the downs. Bear in mind we won the cup in 59, then the next stab at domestic glory was '62 when we were beaten by the blue brigade and we had to wait until '87 to win another domestic cup. So a long time with many periods in the doldrums, and during that period my support never wavered.

So what induced me to support Saints, when quite plainly both the old firm were being competitive in Europe, won the domestic leagues monotonously and at times played really attractive football. I suppose it was my cussedness to some extent by inwardly saying it's easy to support either of the Glasgow teams who were winners, but did I feel any association with them, or did I think that what they represented was what I wanted to be associated with?

Div is right in what he says, we are at a relatively low point in terms of the product on the park. Will it get worse?........... maybe. Will it get better?.......... definitely.

Some will argue that for some years we haven't had players on the park who played "for the jersey". The League Cup win suggests otherwise, but I would agree that at times I wonder if the players are always committed. I am a believer that a team of middle ranking players can be knocked into shape as a team and become a difficult team to beat and at present that is what I'm hoping for.

You might also argue that with the youth set up we have a number of younger players might grow into a team with an affinity to Saints, but in these days, most will see their involvement with SMFC as a stepping stone to a better grade and lifestyle. The best we can hope for is honest endeavour and bringing their skill to the park and demonstrating they are good players and worthy of a chance at a higher level. If we benefit along the way, so much the better.

Yes we all get frustrated at poor football, negative tactics and a lack of endeavour. The Manager is responsible for changing that, utilising the players to the best of their abilities and instilling camaraderie and a desire to work hard.............. if any Manager can't bring that to his desk each day, then he is failing in his approach. Do I believe that AR has it, I suppose my answer is I'm not sure. What I've seen this season, suggests they haven't gelled, yet in theory it is a better squad than last year. Can he turn it around, yes he can, as all managers can, all it takes are two or three results.

So encapsulated within the post is what makes a fan.................. a liking for the sport, perhaps an understanding parent, an association (no matter how thin), occasional bright spots, having a thick skin, and an injection of an unknown drug that makes you turn up through thick and thin and still shout for your team.

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

[St Mirren Under 20's 2016/17]

I attended the game and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great effort from both teams. Great display by the young saints. Bodes well for the future. As Arnie once said "I will be back.!"

[What makes a St Mirren Fan?]

As an avid reader (now very recently also a contributor) of the B&WA Forum, I sometimes feel more than a little dejected at the vitriol poured out by some fans towards the club, the board and other fans of the Buddies. Now, I agree fully, that football stirs passions and that we, at times. take very different views. None more so than regarding the then "current" manager. Nothing wrong with that but personal vilification of the individuals seem to serve no useful purpose other than to further divide loyalties amongst fans and perhaps even players. This is to my mind, highly counter-productive to creating the Us (Club, Manager, Players, Fans) and Them (Our opposition). 

I have liked some boards, admired the work done by some, taken issue with some decisions but have never doubted that those involved were interested in the same thing as I was - having a financially stable club which punches above its weight (in my mind this translates as finishing higher up the leagues than their average attendance figures suggest they should). Managers have different approaches but each tries to create a team and squad which will fulfill this objective and in doing so, win more often than they lose. Entertainment is for many of these perhaps an understandable secondary desire. 

As fans, we can be guilty of being greedy and why not? Fans of every club would like to have it all, a board that they believe in, a manager they have confidence in and a team that is delivering results on the pitch in an entertaining fashion. Just ask fans of the old firm! Patience is a virtue they say but like common sense it is not common. I suffer too when the team loses. I suffer though when we seem to show a lack of respect for our own fans, players and managers of this fine club. One Town One Club. Our club, The Paisley Saint Mirren. 

This is a professional game. We love it but the manager and players largely do what they do for money. It is their means of earning a living. For most their football loyalties lie elsewhere but when they pull on the Black and White they become my heros and I think yours too. So how can we act as Black and White heros? 

We can turn up to watch games, make some noise, we can bring kids to the games, encourage friends to join us, We can buy scratch cards, buy our pies and soft drinks, Buy the kit.

We can show our passions noisily at matches to support players and manager. We can engage in the community activities of the club. More than ever, St Mirren are Our Team.

We can of course express opinions here on our own forum,

Lets support the team, lets support each other,Lets enjoy the good times, endure the bad and hope and plan for better.

Now you might take a different view. That's fine. Feel free to express them.

 

[Jack Copland]

Jackie Copland epitomised the spirit of the club at the time. His "none shall pass me" attitude was pivotal in the team of the time.

[Who Wants Rae tae Stay?]

12 hours ago, div said:

I generally pick and choose my away games these days as frankly other than the social side of it I haven't enjoyed watching St.Mirren very much in the last 3 years.

I was there on Saturday and I didn't enjoy much of the 90 minutes, and I left Somerset pretty despondant.

On Sunday though I watched the highlights again and I looked for some positives.

Personally I think the new shape has some legs in it. The 3-4-1-2 formation offers us more protection in the middle of defence and allows us to play three of our attacking players.

I thought it looked better on Saturday, particularly in the second half when we started to get the ball down and play.

We were without MacKenzie, Gordon, Quinn, Gallagher and Morgan on Saturday. That's five players most of whom might be expected to start in a full strength side. The manager has bought in a fair few players but we're still operating with a 20 man first team squad. Take 25% of those players out and we're going to struggle and so we are.

The international break is coming at a good time for us. The Albion Rovers match will surely see Gordon and MacKenzie play, and we also have a 20s game tomorrow against ICT where they can get game time. I feel MacKenzie in particular will be a big addition for us. Hopefully he'll provide the leadership we're sorely lacking. Quinn will also hopefully be on the road to recovery by the time QoS come to visit.

The manager came in last season and made us harder to beat. In the summer he's assembled his own squad and whilst it hasn't quite happened for him yet I personally see no reason to even think about sacking him after 4 league games.

Confidence in football is massive. If we can get a win under our belts the players will start playing with a bit more belief and start passing the ball more. At the moment some of them look a bag of nerves and that is why they are shelling it. It's an easy option.

I remain confident that we will get those wins soon and start moving up the table. Keep the faith and all that!

 

My first contribution as a poster on here. In the main, I share the views expressed above. Alex Rae basically "saved our bacon" after joining the club as manager last season. Results over the rest of that season, taken on their own, would have shown us to be a top 4 side. Not bad. I stand to be corrected but check the stats out first.