Kmcalpin

Very much my view. I went to the game with very limited expectations and was pleasantly surprised. We controlled much of the game, were the better side, even playing against a pretty strong St Johnstone team (injury wise), with a long injury list and only one striker. We also played some nice football, when we kept it on the deck. We would have won deservedly if we'd had a cutting edge up front. The defence lost a very soft but controversial goal and I was pleased that we lost it early on. We got the obligatory gift out of the way at the start. I thought the defence had some shaky moments from time to time, although McGinn was a vital steadying influence in the middle. Butcher coming back onto a game. Kimpioka caused tham some uncomfortable moments at times. I thought the midfield played pretty well, especially going forward, although maybe the line up wasn't quite right. The best I've seen them play for a while. Halliday was quietly effective and brought some much needed experience to the engine room. Davor had a decent game although the referee took an instant dislike to him. Paton played well although he looked a little uncomfortable in such an advanced role. Corner kicks aside, Spittal played well too although his lack of pace was a little evident. If he was quicker, he wouldn't be with us. SOD and Gent, especially, did very well on the attack not so much defensively. I was a bit concerned when Miller entered the fray but he came through unscathed. Nicholson looks to be a good acquisition and he was bright in flashes. Looking forward to seeing him when fit. Up front, Bair played pretty well on his own and took his goal well. Suffered from lack of support at times, as we all knew he would. I'm more optimistic this morning.

I take the opposite view on this issue. Considine is the nearest player, and very close, to Kelly, right? So, he's "potentially" offside? As the ball is being kicked he obscures or, at the very least, restricts Kelly's view. Surely thats interfering with play? if that isn't enough he makes an attempt, albeit unsuccessful, to help the ball into the net. That surely is also occupying Kelly's attention. Quite plainly interfering with play in my view and a very poor decision - one of many. All that said, poor defending at the free kick and a soft goal to lose.

A very good question. Our fans and St Johnstone fans are very different and our expectations are very different. Levein is a very good fit for Saints in that he's continuing established traits, if not results. They are a cynical, physical and streetwise team, no in fact club. Solid with few errors. Those traits are unacceptable to our fans, who like to be entertained, but not St Johnstone fans. As far as they are concerned they have 2 simple golden rules, based on the Alex Ferguson and Matt Busby approach to football. Just do it and don't get caught. Winning is everything. Win at all cost.

Agree 100% Gazzy. Sometimes the trolls are not the ones who are supposedly identified. If someone genuinely holds views that is not trolling.

I genuinely don't know and I've tried. He committed 3 bookable fouls and was booked for none. He could and should have been red carded by the 23rd minute. Appalling officiating.

McGinn for me. Did nothing outstanding but 100% solid and reliable. Just what we need. Gent wasn't far behind.

Spot on sir. Shockingly poor referee who is spoiling the game.

Very weak referee. 7 8,9 minutes to add on at HT?

Some truth in that of course, but both were recruited in the summer, albeit Shaw was a panic move. Our summer window was poor as far as strikers go.

Almost certainly. If they could crock him for a few weeks that would be even better for them.

West Mains Avenue area behind B & Q. 10mins walk to ground.

I tend to agree Couttsy, although I'd rather wait a day or two longer to get the right man, rather than make a panic signing. Even if Biereth had stayed with us, Wilkinson and Shaw were leaving and Obika was out injured and is injury prone. It was always cutting it very very tight. A situation largely of our own making.

Not knowingly of course, but maybe. Ian Baraclough addressed this very same point when he came. You can't really avoid impact injuries but you can minimise soft tissue injuries by tweaking training methods. That's what he did when he took over. It also helps to avoid signing a few players with questionable injury records.

Move Bevis up front.

One in restricts us to a very predictable one up formation. We needs 2 strikers agreed.

Apart from set pieces, Spittal's biggest weakness is his lack of pace. This does limit his effectiveness when we play with one striker. A decent player nonetheless.

What are our attacking options for Saturday. As things stand we don't seem to be bringing in an oven ready striker in time; Bair is fit; and Obika isn't fit. Attacking midfielders Nicholson and Halliday are short of match fitness. It would seem we will play with a lone striker, Bair. Now St Johnstone are a strong physical side who'll relish a street brawl. Craig Levein loves his teams to be hard and physical. If Bair is injured? In short do we recall the young and inexperienced Mark Ferrie from Stenhousemuir. Is he match fit? If we field Bair on his own up front its essential we support him from midfield - something we've never been good at.

Surely you mean he asisted in 2 goals David? He didn't score at all.

Of course. He hasn't played since June though.

Absolutely Grizzly. As it stands Obika is out injured so that only leaves Bair. Given his injury record we can't rely on Obika. If we want to play 2 up front we may need 3 strikers but yes 2 minimum. That should be our priority of course. I'd still like a dominant central defender in the Hartley/Aldred mould though and a pacy RWB but that might be asking too much. To be even more demanding, we need incomers to hit the ground running. A big ask but we have a week to go. Saturday is another matter.

Jim Gannon had no intention of staying and constantly stalled on contract talks. Apart from all the off field nonsense he wanted out. Let's put that to bed once and for all.

100% agree.

Irrespective of which strikers we sign, we need them to be fit and hit the ground running. No point in them taking 2 months to get fit/match fit.

Without another striker ready to play, we'll struggle right enough. Can't see us keeping a clean sheet.

St Mirren do seem to have some cash to throw about just now.