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Agree totally, I was thinking Robinson was back in charge of them yesterday. Usual embarrassing antics. I didnt see any change of style from them

I was very disappointed in St Mirren yesterday. Apart from their footballing performance, I thought they were cynical and nasty. Streetwise or dark arts, however you describe their approach. It wasn't down to impetuous actions but rather an overall approach and their manager must take responsibility for that. A performance characterised by play acting and time wasting. Maybe I'm alone in this but I don't recognise their description in the media as a total footballing side. Some weeks ago I read Craig McLeish described as a disciple of JBA - really? The MSM needs to call them out on this but of course it won't. That brings me to the referee - Don Robertson. Arguably the poorest performance I've witnessed for a while. No major decisions to call apart from the penalty, in which has was assisted by VAR - we could even see the handball from the far end of the POD. A very weak and inconsistent display. St Mirren totally conned him and played him like a fiddle. Hodge's card and Maswhanise's "foul" were nothing short of incredible. Craig McLeish really ought to take his out of control hoodlums, Carr and Phillips, aside and give them the hairdryer treatment; but we all know why he won't. Both were carded yesterday and are 1st and 3rd in the SPFL's yellow card account. If all that seems harsh then just have a look at the SPFL's stats centre. St Mirren have the Premiership's highest foul count and highest yellow card count. Nuff said.

For midfield 3 - I'd be tempted to go with Oscar, Fadinger and Hodge Pushing Lowry into attack with Said. Leaving a debate of with who else Seb, JT, Hendry ,RCC, Kanga , Thor This could add a fair amount of strength in midfield and attack.

Pretty much my view although I thought we played some decent football at times. The important thing yesterday was the result and we achieved my target of 4 points out of 6, so credit to Alf for that. It was close run thing though as we had to rely on a VAR awarded penalty. Still, a clean sheet against a poor but very "streetwise" St Mirren side. We also achieved that victory without any good luck, so that was plus. I think McGhee has now staked a claim for a starting slot, be it in central defence or preferably at RB. Kanga should not have started and ought to have been subbed at HT. As one of our group commented, at this point he's an impact sub. SPH made little impact against St Mirren's leviathans and Thor rumbled them up more when he was brought on. He was unlucky with his diving header - a horrible cross to control. It was good to see the hard working Priestman, McGinn and Hendry return and again McGinn is a good option for RB or CB. We controlled much of the game and should have won it 5-1 or thereabouts. We were wasteful in attack and that could have proved costly as we all expected a St Mirren sucker punch to come at some point. Our central defence gives me the fear though and although Saints were toothless (in a footballing sense) their big lads made JGR and Moormann's life a bit uncomfortable at times. We badly need more physicality in the side. Longelo looked good until he picked up a knock. The midfield still doesn't look right as a unit, but I thought Said and Fadinger really did the business. Maswhanise looks to be getting back to his old self and put in a power of work. Our off the ball work, especially when not in possession, has regressed badly since last year. It lacked intensity, and ostensibly effort or organisation. Still, a wins a win and we draw a little away from the bottom.

This is exactly what we were saying. JGR and MM don’t have the confidence to play to Fadinger / Hodge in the centre or midfield is not offering in the same way McGinn/Welsh did with Watt Just/Faddy did last year. Last year the ball would have gone to Watt to start the build or create the space. with Oscar back we hopefully see a bit more of that as it subtly shifts the space available for those in front of it’s a real shame that neither P-H or JT could convert the move in first half as it was as well worked as anything last year.

For me this is where we may need to tweak the formation or alternatively swap Saids position with Lowry . said - in the role Slattery played Lowry - in the role just had I’m a fan of both players - the difference for me is Saids incredible strength , ability to win the ball and come from deep .

Not conceding was huge yesterday . Performance has trended in a bit of a ‘V’ shape - we started high - had a sharp decline and thankfully performances over last 2-3 games are on the increase . Don’t think we’re fully back to where we started - we’re still fragile . we need a positive run of playing well , keeping it tight over the next 2-3 games .

Went for JGR. Been a tough shift for defence recently and he did the work to keep StM really doing anything of concern. He also is being trusted to take the ball a lot to build the attacking phase, yes he went back a number of times but that was generally when no-one offering short for him and majority of his long balls were targeted rather than aimless punts.

Close but went for Said over Fad. On a side note although not anywhere near MotM, Kanga could have had 2 assists so wasn’t anywhere near as bad as some have been saying and Sparrow was a different player when Priestman and McGinn came on and he was further forward. He’s no RB but has tried.

I'm sure that cemented the decision for the ref and VAR.

A really good week for Alfred. Players are clearly playing for him and there’s been encouraging signs in each of the last 3 games, culminating in a very dominant performance today. Let’s see if we can carry that into Tannadice.

Agree 100% Joe.

I really enjoyed that today, possibly the most impressed I’ve been with us this season. We pressed well, we looked more compact and a lot of our football was lovely to watch. Having said that, we looked to have ran out of steam and ideas going into the last 20 mins but our overall play deserved the pen. Fadinger was the standout for me today but I’m really pleased to see the progress in Hodge over the last week.

Fadinger was integral to a very good team performance. The armband suits him well. Mention for Said, great fun to watch as usual.

I think Oscar, Fadinger and Lowry are probably our strongest midfield 3. I think the problem you then have is who plays alongside them and what formation you are going to play. Its going to be interesting to see what Alfred does going forward and who he trusts.

Thank you. Yes. I remember now. Lowry and Priestman involved for Said goal. Hopefully more to come in that regard.

They played a few times before Hodge signed. Defo played at easter road

Been waiting for a signal to post 'papers over the cracks' 🤣🤣, just kiddin MJC

MJC must not have signal yet on the way back to Govan from Hampden he’s very quiet.

Really delighted with the result today. I thought it wasn't going to happen as the game went on but as others have said we were the better team l. If JT, Said and Kanga can find their shooting boots we will have little to worry about from a relegation perspective I feel. 4 from 6 was the target and it could so easily be 6 from 6. Dundee Utd will be a very interesting game because it will be a step up in calibre I think but we did turn them over at FP so we should go into the game with renewed optimism. One question for the more tactically astute on the forum,. Can Lowry, Priestman and Fadinger play in the same midfield and have they played together yet this season?

Thought Hodge had a pretty good game until he was subbed. His yellow card was a joke. Said and Manny very good. I voted for Oscar. I know he only got 30 minutes, but he showed in that short period what we have missed. His work rate, dynamism and calmness in possession are different class. Cant wait until he is ready to start again.

Yip, I dont see a team not playing for manager. For me Williams back would be great as him and manny could be a great combination but I thought Kanga was good in flashes, he is still only 20 and getting used to the league

Exactly bud. A good headache is what manager should want. Almost fully fit squad

Hopefully today buys Alfred some time. The performances over the last couple of weeks have been getting steadily better. The players are clearly working hard for each other, so any talk of the dressing room being gone was clearly off the mark. With Oscar, McGinn and Hendry all back, the squad is starting to look stronger again. If we could get Lowry, Williams and Johnny K back I think we will be in much better shape. No sackings this side of the international break at least!

You could count on the one hand how many he plays to manny in a match. When Paul McGinn is fully fit to start he would be the one I think should drop out.