Kmcalpin

Line up could be bolder as it’s a cup tie after all. Not even minor tinkering after last weekend’s lacklustre showing.

I totally get your logic David. However, you refer to our percentage as being 14%. What geographic area are you referring to? Scotland’s towns and cities vary considerably in character. Aberdeen, based in a self contained city, for example, draws a large proportion of its fanbase from a huge rural hinterland. East Fife, based in Methil, by comparison, draws its support from an urban area comprising 4 adjacent settlements, that only a local could distinguish.

Fair point. We really do need to make it as easy as possible for fans to buy tickets. We're putting too many obstacles in their way.

That's St Johnstone sacked Craig Levein. 5 games into the league season. Interesting that some Saints fans want Tom Wright brought back.

He’s not compatible with SK’s preferred system of playing a single, often isolated, striker. He’s a penalty box striker.

Moses is a penalty box striker no more no less. If he starts, it needs to be part of a front 2. Yes, the balance in midfield is all wrong. We need a solid out and out defensive midfielder.

Not at the game today, but I agree we’re asking players to perform roles they’re not suited to. Robinson is a prime example. He‘s just not performing in my view. We don’t seem to have a striker who can play up front on his own. Time to change the system. Also our defensive midfield is too lightweight. Given Aberdeen’s form’ not the worst result but the performance seems to have been lacklustre. Changes needed for next week.

They're not considered to be good enough at the moment obviously.

Well deserved. Please extend his contract.

It doesn't really matter if they want to be or not, in many ways they are.

Yes, we're much stronger defensively than we were last season. This is especially true of our keeper and central defence. So, job seems done there. However there's more to good defence than that. I think our set up with a narrow midfield leaves the wing backs a bit exposed. This was evident yesterday but fortunately Saints weren't good enough to capitalise on it, although they targeted Ewan Wilson early on. Also I don't think Davor and Halliday are cut out, for various reasons, to shield the defence in the centre. The Ox was clearly unhappy at our midfield yesterday for letting Saints ping in 3 unopposed shots late on. I know were big on numbers now but as soon as is practicable I'd like to see us bring in a solid defensive type to slot into the middle. Work in progress, so far so good.

We thoroughly deserved to win as we were the better team and tried to let St Johnstone play football, but that was neither appreciated nor reciprocated. In truth we should have scored more and been out of sight by half time but we still lack that killer touch in front of goal. We were also a bit unlucky. Credit to SK & SF though. They almost lost us the game but in the event they won it for us. Against the backgrouind of a huge injury list and new players bedding in, I don't think the starting line up is right. Defence wise I thought our 3 central men had an excellent game, such a change from last season. That was crucial in achieving a win today. Up front, Robinson is not a lone striker, despite some deft touches. A lack of support from midfield and the close attention of a hulking 6-4 centre back made life difficult for him. Tony Watt also is never a lone striker. I was disappointed in midfield and we lack an attacking midfielder. Lennon Miller was played too far forward and his normal game was therefore constrained and to be fair Saints do have some combative and abrasive midfielders. Still his contribution from set pieces really is proving an asset and shone through today. Craig Levein will be sticking pins in his effigy this evening (only joking as he's genuinely a hell of a nice chap). I thought Halliday and Davor struggled a bit to compete and weren't really effective defensively at all. That said, Saints do have a very competitive and combative engine room, although lacking in creativity. I felt sorry for both wing backs. Young Wilson made some telling interventions but I thought he and SOD were left out to dry a bit by our formation as Saints caused us a few problems down the flanks. On the plus side, Manwanhise looked quick and lively and we should have brought him into the game more quickly. Jack Vale too added some much need pace, when he entered the fray. We did ok for most of the first half but took our foot off the gas a bit latterly and inexplicably. Overly cautious instructions from the technical area. For 10 minutes before they equalised, Saints began to dominate the game in midfield as we goaded them into attacking us and invited them onto us. Levein then made some inspired changes and not surprisingly they scored. We then wobbled. However, late on SK made some equally telling changes that proved instrumental in setting up a great late finish. Saints still managed to rain down 3 decent attempts on goal and the Ox wasn't best pleased with those in front of him, as they left him exposed. Then came the great finish. A series of attacks and vicious corners from Lennon Miller had Saints on the ropes and Ross Sinclair did well. Then up popped Moses to strike the killer blow and instigate scenes in the stand. Ye cannae beat a late winner! A lively crowd responded and the players appreciated that. The team showed great durability and character to win today and thats all I ask.

It depends on the game. He's a poacher and does the business in the box. If we're expected to be on top and playing on the front foot he's our man. If we're expected to be on the backfoot then he shouldn't start.

A good win on the road but we made it unnecessarily hard for ourselves. St Johnstone played as I expected them to. A deserved 3 points. More thoughts to follow. Referee was weak and McPherson really ought to have seen red for a shocking tackle.

Had a close encounter with 2 of the Bois today and I have to say they were polite and helpful. You treat folk as you find them.

St Johnstone fans are unimpressed with their new keeper, ex Airdrieonion Josh Rae. Lets test him out and put him under pressure to find out if their concern is justiifed. It doesn't matter how good or bad a keeper is if he isn't tested.

StJohnstone has signed Jason Holt. Well they'll need someone to kick Lennon Miller off the park!

I suspect there will be a few hundred more at the Oasis concerts than there will be at Fir Park. Different environment too with drink flowing and drugs available.

I'm happy with Vale returning, as long long as he's played in the right position and not behind the striker(s).

Good post. Whatever the rights and wrongs of individual cases, its important that protocols are followed. Earlier some poster(s) said that the club contacted the youngsters before the Police had contacted them. That shouldn't happen. Any process should be fair and transparent and parents involved, if appropriate.

Don't be too hard on the Society as don't know its view on this issue. I'm not in favour of running to the Society over every single issue but this does impact directly on fans. As such why not email the Society about this. Its an important issue and has caused a fair bit of online discussion.

Update: St Mirren and Dundee also 12 years of age and Ross County appears to be the same.

I'm struggling to find the relevant guidance on age restrictions on the official website. I first heard about it through a relative, not the club.

I can't be bothered trawling through club websites as information is often buried away but Claretamberb posted on Pie and Bovril "The information isn't always that easy to find online but Dundee Utd the age limit is 12. St Johnstone is 12. Rangers is 13." We seem to have set the bar a bit high.

We need to be encouraging young fans to attend games. Now, I appreciate thats complex and requires a bit of effort but they are the future lifeblood of the club. Could a small supervised section be set up for youngsters in the affected age group? Some creative thinking required. So its ok for a 13 year old to travel some distance on his/her own to a game but not to actually get in? As for "unofficial" or de fact blacklists banning, its absurd that if someone commits misdemeanours at away stadia but behaves themselves at home games its ok for them to attend all home games freely. We all know who that would affect. Laughable.