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It falls on Robinson, sure, but Robinson would have probably taken a better penalty than most of our guys last night which was what it came down to. The standard of performance in the first half last night was down to individuals. The manager can't account for 11 players going into a cup replay and putting in a performance that would shame amateurs. Ultimately Robinson can take blame for formation, team selection and transfers but our defeat last night was due to stinking performances not managerial decisions. The changes made by the manager at half time worked. That should be a tick for Robinson but you can't blame him for 4 goals conceded in the first half or the penalty shoot out, they are both out with the managers control. Robinson is going to come under scrutiny after last night because it's now obvious that we need to make tactical and selection changes and the 4-3-3 has run it's course, at least as a default with the players currently available, but let's not pretend that anyone would have picked a radically different side from the available players last night or that a HT scoreline of 1-4 was entirely predictable. I think Robinson has been poor at times over his reign, mainly due too his tactical inflexibility and a loyalty to jobbers but we've only really had two real failures this season, the League Cup exit to Hearts and the Scottish Cup exit last night. The reaction after the League Cup was good. I can't tell you how we react to the latest set back but that's what Robinson should be judged on and I'll state it again. If all we do this season is finish Top 6, that will be a good effort with the players available.

I dont think the manager deserves anything but an absolute slating! He said in his Interview he could see it wasnt happening and that we were really struggling after 20 odd minutes and WAS going to change it but didnt. Changing it at 1-1 is a lot different than changing it at 1-4. He left it too late! The "comeback" was nothing but luck, St Midden sat in trying to defend a huge lead and we scored a big deflection and 2 fluke crosses. Even in games like last night we are needing opposition defensive howlers to score

Penalties are not a lottery. Professional footballers failing to hit the target from 12 yards is just a lack of ability in that particular skill set, irrespective of how many minutes they have been playing. To miss 1 is unlucky, but to miss 3 out of 5 is unforgivable.

It depends on the players that you have at your disposal. Gillespie's distribution is poor and that puts pressure on the likes of Hartley and Grimshaw, neither of whom can pass. Possible ways around that is for your playmaker i.e. Polworth to drop deep and provide an out ball for the keeper or defenders. Either that or launch the long ball to a well supported target man like Watt. The bottom line is not to get caught dithering on the ball or making hospital passes to colleagues Hartley style.

Just for weakening the squad in January when we were aiming for Europe and a good cup run. Why? Having to play guys like Manzinga and MacIver is criminal.

Said it in an earlier post …… Gallacher Donnelly Dunne as a back 3

Where to start with that? I was concerned when I saw the team selection, with Gallagher missing and O'Hara inexplicably dropped to the bench it didnt bode well. Tactically it was clear after about 15 mins that the 4-3-3 was again failing us. Our midfield was being overun and as a result our already shaky defence was cruelly exposed time after time. It was crying out for an extra man in midfield. It shouldnt have taken until we were 4-1 down and a defender off injured for the manager to have made the change. An absolutely shocking first half all round. Having criticised the manager, credit where its due for the bold changes made at half time. O'Hara was an absolute standout in midfield and his performance allowed everyone around him to raise their game. Donnelly looked far more assured at centre half and Tait looked back to his old self. Even Grimshaw looked far more comfortable playing in front of him. It really was a rousing comeback, so credit to the manager and the players for rolling their sleeves up and not chucking it at half time. You dont get that kind of reaction if the manager has lost the dressing room. Unfortunately it just wasnt enough in the end. For those slating the players for missing penalties. Maybe spare a thought for the fact that most had played 120 mins on a heavy pitch and could barely walk let alone keep their composure to slot one away. Yes they are professionals, and yes they should do better, but there were mitigating factors. Hope the manager is now clearer about which players he can trust and those he cant now in certain positions and he might be considering a change away from 4-3-3 when the opposition dictates it is necessary. Saturday could be interesting.

Just back in the door and I am drained after all that. However I am also surprisingly upbeat and I am actually in a more positive mood even though we lost on penalties. I am not a defeatist more a realist and figure even if we did manage to beat Aberdeen or Killie to make the semi (and that is a big if) we would probably meet one of the old firm and this team certainly would not be capable of beating either of them at Hampden. So lost revenue yes, but would rather finish top 4 even if that looks unlikely after tonight. I like everybody was livid at HT. Awful performance and I thought our season was over as if we played like that again we would never win another game this season and be lucky to stay top 6. In some ways not a surprise as when I heard the line up and heard Mugabi and McIver starting I was worried. I like Hartley. But he was not good enough to get in the team last season and he was really poor tonight. Mugabi is little better. In some ways a performance like that will maybe help make the Manager see sense and takes appropriate steps. Donnelly did better at centre half than either of our starting centre half’s. I am afraid Hartleys time is up with us. I thought Watt came on to a game and did not hide and took his goal well. So that is a positive. I also though O’Hara was very good when he came on and I would have probably started him. Tait also had a good game. Would like to see him keep his place in the side. Shame to hear that Caroll looks to have a sore one and will be out for a while. I also think had Caroll not gone of injured he would have taken a penalty. I think we all knew Hylton would likely miss.... Disappointed but in a better frame mind than at HT. Hopefully we can get back to winning ways in the league and try and finish this season positively.

One of our routes....

I dont agree with that. First half he said himself that he could see we were struggling and needed to change it. In the time he was building up the courage to do something we went from 1-1 game on, to 1-4 game over! Also the amount of space St Mirren were exploiting out wide is his fault. His tactics were sending the full backs higher and as they are defensively poor we were getting ridden. St Mirren played the exact same formation so their tactics shouldnt have been a surprise. Also he dropped O'Hara from mid when he has looked our best midfielder. Yes he cant legislate for 11 players having a fucking nightmare, but he had plenty more he was culpable for

Away from the game I found it very concerning to see trouble yet again before a game. One of these days someone innocent is going to get hurt. Also for 2nd game in row I had folk in queue going in absolutely steaming yet somehow were allowed in. The vast majority of our fans are magic but there is an element that concerns me and just seem hell bent in ruining our clubs name. If you are not interested in supporting our great club then stay away.....COYW

Oh sarcasam, i must have missed that bit.

Sorry but all i can remember of Stevie Woods is that he was shite

With the nature of Hartley’s removal yesterday, do we think he’s done? Unless he had an injury I’m not sure how you can come back from that. He has seemed to be way off the pace this season, and with his (probably expensive) contract coming up its possible we don’t see him start again. With Dunne probably not quite ready, are any of the reserves ready for the step up? Or did Donnelly look like he could slot in there next to Gallagher longer term? For me the only issue I had with the lineup before the game was not seeing Gallagher there, but that was unavoidable. I had expected mciver to be in based on things Robbo said during the week, but it sounds like he’s not quite ready. I’d agree that the 4-3-3 has run its course. We don’t have the players for it.

Cole was recalled by his parent club. Sloth released which wasn't a surprise to many. James Scott sold for a sizable fee, which I'm guessing is your complaint... He'd scored 3 goals this season so we were hardly losing a Moult or Higdon, as good as Scott was and as much potential as he had. Manzinga and MacIver are the market we operate in and the model we have to work with. Take a chance on young guys and try and sell them on for a profit. Some work out and some don't... MacIver played well last night and Manzinga is still developing. Tony Watt looks to be an improvement on the players we have and he'd fall into the January window category.

I know, I was being sarcastic. We just always seem to play the we have no money card. O'Hara would be a great signing and needs a run of games

Agreed In the 1st game St Mirren played 4 in the middle of the park, they were never going to change that So you’ve got to think that our 3 are going to match them ( not going to happen) or set up accordingly ( some hope ) Were nearly 2/3rds through the season and still playing the same system. Teams do there homework and we’ve been found wanting in all areas. Did you see the 1st goal ??? The amount of time they had to control the ball and put a decent ball into our box was criminal !!!! BUT that happens week in week out our fullbacks do not close the man down or get close enough to stop the cross This does not happen by accident that is obviously how they are coached AND that is Robinson and Lasley’s fault

Won one away against Raith as well, Goram in goal. I don't have a problem with a penalty being saved as for the most part, even a decent one is just a different guess away from being saved, but I've said for years that if you're a professional footballer and you can't stand 12 yards away from the side of a van, and hit it with a ball, that's a weeks wages.

A terrible first half performace, and a much improved second half performance....a real game of two halfs. I think Robinson will admit he got it wrong in the first half, Shaka mentioned he noticed after 20 minutes it had to change, and it probably did but the equaliser on 27 minutes probably gave him enough hope that we could see it out til at least half time before rolling the dice. I don't think anyone in the ground would have expected us to go in 4-1 down at that point. Maciver left to mark Obika at the back post is criminal. Donnelly was very good at centre back, him and Gallagher could really work well there. O'hara getting dropped was bizarre in the first place but what a difference he made when he came on, he was class. Allan Campbell was missing in the first half but so were most, MUCH better in the second half, considering Watt was chucked in due to injuries i was very impressed with him, never stopped running, him and Long up top together has to be a go'er. Aarons, similar to Campbell was much better in the second half. I thought Polworth was one of the only interested well players in the first half, tried to do things a bit quicker than the rest. Tait was very good when he came on, going forward and even more so defensively. a very frustrating but weirdly enjoyable game, we could actually have won it in normal time, legs were completely gone in extra time and penalties is a lottery. A cup run would have been nice but maybe the extra time off for some players is required, personally i'd rather concentrate on finishing as high up the league as possible. I think Robinson and the players can take a lot from the fight in the second half. We are/were in a rut and hopefully that 45 minutes can build some confidence before four massive games.

We beat Inverness CaleyThistle at Fir Park on pens in early John Boyle era. Finished that game with nine men, Billy Davies and Brian Martin sent off.

If gallagher fit then I would go a back 3 of him Donnelly and Tait......have o'hara, Polworth and Campbell in middle with grimshaw and Aaron's wide and long (if fit) and watt up front......seemples

Mark O'Hara by a country mile. He has consistently been our best midfielder since the winter break and should never have been dropped tonight. He was an absolute standout when he came on and allowed everyone else to up their game. We should be offering this boy a pre-contract right now to get him signed up for next year. Mentions for Donnelly who was excellent at centre half. Tait who looked back to his old self and must start Saturday. Watt, who grew into the game and showed that he may indeed have something to offer us. Hylton, Aarons and Grimshaw all had decent second halves. Maybe playing everyone in their right positions will catch on?

Never mind January the recruitment during the summer was pathetic .This performance was long overdue anybody who thinks we have played great football to get to where we are at the moment is really kidding themselves on and if we don't win on Saturday then we really have a crisis on our hands

This game couLd kick start the rest of the season (injuries aside), a watershed if you like

I think Gallagher is so good, the rest of defence has been getting away with it. Tonight made it even more obvious what a player he is.

To be fair to mazinga.....the 3 attempted clearances in a row is something you cant coach!!! Heh he

Out the cup because of a completely unacceptable first half performance. Our first 45 minutes was a disgrace. Even in the first five minutes there must have been 10 misplaced passes and players looked like they didn't care a jot. No doubt Hartley and Mugabi will get a lot of grief and I'm certainly not going to defend them but you defend as a team and we were all over the place for that half. As I said at half time we didn't even have a shape or set up with two banks defending, the full backs and the midfield need to take a big share of the blame, they were totally unprofessional. The comeback, as welcome as it was, was on the fortuitous side (two wayward crosses and a deflection) but even then we looked dodgy when St Mirren were on the ball and I think a couple of our penalties are still in the air. Fair play to Tait and especially O'Hara who at least came on and looked interested. We crossed over into unacceptable territory tonight, big changes needed for Saturday.

You are an idiot.

The January window killed us. Thank you Burrows.

I hate the roller coaster, but can't get off. Ah, the life of a 'well fan!