pondsman

Delighted to see us get our first win of the season, though like JG, I think we should have had it a couple of games ago. Yesterday's game turned on the sending-off, which, like almost everyone else, I thought was fully justified. Before then Dons were definitely on top, even if they were using some questionable tactics (the Scott Brown block at their second goal etc.). Can't really blame them, I suppose, as they were as desperate to get out of their slump as we were to get that first win. Thought our successes were Ronan, Power, Fraser throughout, and McGrath in the second half. Although he got Jenks's sending-off correct yesterday, Collum has always been a painful ref to watch. Not able to develop a relationship with players, so hr applies the laws as he sees them very rigidly, which leads to numerous yellow cards (and some reds) in most of his games. We need to capitalise on this performance in our next two games, which, although they are away from home, are against two of the teams around us in the league. Both are quite winnable, I think. So...... COYS!!

Given our recent results and struggles to put the ball in the net (legitimately), it's difficult to see us getting a win today. Hope the defence can produce another excellent clean sheet and we get away with a 0-0. I will, of course, be delighted to be proven wrong if we win 1-0 with a scrappy goal off Main's backside in the 90th minute! COYS11

Poor first half, improved a bit in second half, but still can't score a (legitimate) goal. As someone else has remarked above, the improvement seemed to coincide with the arrival of Flynn and Tait, although the two new boys did OK, I thought. Strikers off target again, but I don't think our failure to score is all down to them. This season I've attended games against Dunfermline, Hearts, Livi and Dundee Utd. In every game I see balls being played up to the feet of our players in midfield and upfront which are not controlled, but are allowed to bounce off the player and run away, either directly to an opposition player or to become a contested ball which we then lose to the opposition. Surely controlling a ball, even one arriving at pace, is something players should be working on during the week. If JG hasn't grasped it yet (and I'm sure he has), he got all the evidence he needed from Dundee Utd on Saturday of what a bit of pace in the team could do. Pawlett and McNulty beat our defence for speed on several occasions. We were lucky that, despite their pace, their finishing was no better than ours. Anyway, we take the point and move on, but we could be looking at a long season. COYS!!

Like others above, received my season ticket today. All set for the game on Saturday. Fully expect to see us win the game. COYS!

Accusations that JG is favouring Irish players or his own signings are wide of the mark. We are discussing one player in particular here - Cammy MacPherson. For some reason or other JG doesn't fancy Cammy and doesn't see him as a major player for us, while many of us disagree with the manager and would have him playing regularly. Cammy had a good season last year and I expected him to improve again this season and be a major player for us. However, JG is the manager and he decides the players and the tactics, but the style of play and the results so far suggest that he hasn't got things right yet. That may change, and we all hope that it does. The fact that Cammy is clearly rated by a successful Premiership manager (Callum Davidson) makes it clear that opinions on him are divided. It remains to be seen whether Davidson can get something out of Cammy that JG couldn't. I'm sure that we will all be watching his progress at St. Johnstone with great interest and are all glad that he can't play against. us. There is also clearly a question for whoever it was at the club who allowed Cammy to go to Perth and play for one of our closest rivals. Even if he can't play in games against us, he might still play a big part in any success they have this season. If that happens, the club will certainly have egg on its face.

Cammy played some very fine games for us last season, but has not been able to have the same effect when he's been on the pitch this season. This may be due to a loss of form, but or just the fact that JG thinks he doesn't fit into the system he wants to play. Despite some of the comments above that Cammy is just a 'fringe squad player', both Stephen Thompson and Michael Stewart rate him better than that. In addition, Callum Davidson, rated one of the best young managers in the country following his two cup successes last season, surely sees something in Cammy or he wouldn't want him in his squad.

From the outside, Cammy moving to St. Johnstone looks very strange. From the way JG has used him this season, it looks like JG doesn't see him being a major part of his plans, but why would we allow Cammy to go to such a close rival? Was there a need to reduce the wage bill? Was Cammy unhappy about not getting much game time? Maybe Cammy saw the writing on the wall with the arrival of Connor Ronan and asked to go elsewhere to get regular games. We cannot know if any of these things are true, but, in my opinion, none of them explains why the lad should go to St. Johnstone. I hope that there is an agreement that he cannot play against us. If not, with new teammates and in a new system, he may well do us a lot of damage. I cannot think that JG would want Cammy to go to Perth, so now the question is: Did JG have any say in where Cammy was going or was the move arranged at a higher level?

Another 'If only....' day, I'm afraid. Team played well first half. Scored a goal which was disallowed (wrongly) and should have got another. Similar to the Livi game where we should have been at least one ahead by halftime. What a turnaround in the second half. Couldn't find a teammate with a pass and midfield completely went AWOL. When that happened in the Livi game, McGrath rolled up his sleeves and went looking for the ball. But yesterday there were worrying signs that the rest of the midfield is now pulling him down to their level. He was rarely seen in the last 30 minutes of the game. I'm now undecided between hoping that he stays and can help the others find form again, and thinking we'd be as well letting him go and getting some money for him. At least McCarthy was back in the team yesterday, but not sure he was in the best position for him. Erhahon now out for the next game after a needless foul in the final minutes. Is Power still suspended for that as well? If so, we will struggle in midfield again. The only correct thing JG said after the game was that we need some real pace in the team. Let's hope we can get someone in this week. COYS!!

Can't make Sunday games unfortunately, so will have to watch on TV - just like the whole of last season. Hopefully JG's system will start to work and we'll get our first league win. It's badly needed - to lift us up the table and to lift everybody's spirits! Is this the game where we get our season up and running? Let's hope so! COYS!!

Just wishing our manager all the best following his Covid-19 diagnosis. Looking forward to seeing him back on the touchline, no doubt still pondering what system will bring success to the Buddies this season.

Great story. And just confirms everything we've seen from Marcus since he joined the club. Always 100% committed to the club on and off the field. A model professional! As others have said, it's gestures like this that make a supporter for life. Hope your youngster enjoys wearing the boots. He'll remember how he got them for many years. COYS!!

Disappointing performance and outcome yesterday. We were the better team in the first half and could have been ahead at halftime if Brophy, Main and Kiltie had taken three decent chances. Looks like scoring goals will be a problem again this season. Livi's goal was a quick counter-attack which caught out the defence. Like last week, McGrath was the only midfielder who played to form, but he missed Power breaking up play and feeding him. As a result he had to run all over the pitch trying to get hold of the ball and make something happen. Erhahon really needs to up his game to justify his fancy haircut. Was left to McCarthy to get us back into the game with a late goal. And this is a centre half who would not even have been on the pitch if Dunne hadn't been injured early in the game! Don't know what system JG wants to play this season, but he really needs to work out a way to get McCarthy playing regularly. Subs didn't make enough of an impression on the game. Some poor crosses by McPherson and McAllister. In the end, scuppered by some poor penalties and one good save by the Livi keeper. Quick word for the travelling support which was brilliant throughout. Eased the pain of a tough day. Well done to all those who got tickets and attended.

Digital ticket with barcode now delivered by email. All set for Saturday! COYS!!

Feeling sorry for those trying to buy tickets for Saturday and having difficulties. I've just bought my ticket a few minutes ago and all seemed to go fine, though it hasn't been delivered yet of course. For anyone else who wants to buy, here's what I did: - went on St. Mirren's official site and clicked on the section for the game - clicked on the red text 'online at Livingston's platform'. - this took me straight to the Livi site where there were two sections of the ground available - clicked on the section and seat I wanted - then had to register with the Livi site. Very easy, just filled in my details and they provided a password which was filled in automatically - then taken back to their checkout page and completed my card details - Got a 'Purchase successful' message and told ticket would be sent to me by post. Fingers crossed it will arrive in time. Hope that is helpful to others.

After a successful season 2020/2021, when the fixtures were published for the new season, we saw that we were playing the two promoted teams in the first two games, followed by Celtic in the third game. There was a clear opportunity to get some points on the board before the Celtic game, even though one of the promoted teams was Hearts, a club with a bigger budget than ours. Now, to have one point from these two games is disappointing. We drew with Dundee and couldn't finish them off in twenty minutes of playing against ten men. On Saturday it took us twenty minutes to get to grips with the system Hearts were using. Unfortunately by that time, they were a goal ahead and never looked back. Our midfield never really got to grips with the game, with only McGrath showing decent form, and our strikers couldn't finish the few chances they got. Whether we like JG or not, he is our manager for the foreseeable future and now needs to show the tactical ability he seemed to have last season, by putting out a team with tactics that are not restricted to strong defence, long punts up the park and crosses into the box from halfway into the opposition's half of the pitch. After Saturday, it looks as though we have a hard season ahead and I fear McGrath will have decided that he needs to get away to another club to progress his career. And who could blame him? The only question now is, how much can we get for him? I'm no tactician, but I find it difficult to understand how JG can leave McCarthy out of the team, when almost everyone agreed that the defence was so solid last season and he was one of the main reasons for that.

Got the email last night and followed the process online this morning around 8am. All went OK and email with e-ticket arrived about an hour later. But I only wanted one ticket. Only downside is that my entry time is 13.45 so I'll be twiddling my thumbs for quite a while - and no pies or Bovril either!

Anyone know what's happening with SMTV this season? Are ST holders getting home games free like last season, or do we have to pay for them? Just asking as there doesn't seem to have been any news from the club. First home game now less than 2 weeks away.

Brophy scored a couple pre-season. Now getting slated because he didn't score in the one competitive game we've played. The guy was injured when he joined us, but started to show some form at the end of last season. Come on, let's give him a chance to show his ability. Tuesday night v Stenny might be just the game to get him off the mark.

Was great to be back in the ground (sorry, stadium) again! Fine performance. Dominated most of the game. Whole team, and substitutes, played well. In particular, the new boys. When I saw Tanser warming up I thought he looked very slight, but he was quick and put in some great crosses. Kiltie worked hard in midfield and had the assist for Main's goal. Main scored and never gave the Pars defence any peace the whole time he was on the field. Dunne looked nifty considering he has hardly played for months. Will be a real asset if he stays fit. And Power (well-named) gave an outstanding performance. Covered acres of ground and fought for every ball - and usually won it. Would have liked more goals, but it was only the first competitive game, so we shouldn't complain. Top of our group with full points. Thought McGrath was just OK but that's fine. Happy to see him being relatively quiet in games until the transfer window closes! Was a bit worried not to see McCarthy mentioned in the squad. Hope he is still figuring somewhere in JG's plans. Not impressed by the change strip. Didn't look as nice in real life as in the pictures we've seen.

Just had email saying I'm one of the lucky 500 for this game. E-ticket to follow on Monday but entry to be by cash only (£12). Detailed instructions on how to enter and when to follow, also on Monday.

Good for JG if he did, but I still think the club waited too long for JDH to make up his mind.

I agree with those who think JDH (or more likely his agent) has strung us along. But t's not all his fault, is it? The club gave him the green light to keep us dangling by leaving its deal on the table for far too long. Once it became clear that the lad was hesitating, surely he should have been given a deadline by which to make up his mind. Leaving the deal on the table was a gift to his agent, who was then able to tout the player to other clubs, saying 'Look, St. Mirren have left a deal on the table for him. That's an indication of how good he is'. I'm disappointed to see him going to another club in our league, but not convinced that he will come back to haunt us. Will depend on how the DUFC manager plans to fit him into his system. No doubt we'll find out when we have our first game against them on September 11.

Will be surprised if he does that. Looked good when he first arrived but fell away badly in the second half of the season. Maybe JG was just playing him in the wrong position, but I'd be surprised if he does any better at Dundee United. I agree that our offer to him should now be removed.

I take your point. I know nothing about technology, but did wonder why I was asked to enter information that they already had. Anyway, I just did what I was asked to do. If I get the ST for my old seat renewed, then I will be quite happy. Let's give the club a chance to get things right with the new contractor before we get on their backs. As for people forgetting their seat numbers and entering the wrong information, I think individuals have to take some responsibility. If people have had STs for a number of years, surely they will know where they were sitting.

Just registered for my ST with the new arrangement. Seemed fairly straightforward, took only a couple of minutes. Was then told that the club would be in touch about my renewal. Let's wait and see what happens.