Kmcalpin

I've been getting vibes that things have not been right off the pitch, but who knows. At the start of the season, we looked to be strong, on paper at least but it hasn't turned out that way. For one thing our injury/illness list has been historically horrendous. If GA has still to get to grips with the Scottish game then that worries me, as everyone and their dog knew when he was appointed that time wasn't on our side. He had to hit the ground running. Our January signings haven't worked out so far but I doubt they were all his, but who knows? You're right about our fate. Yes we must go out to win every game, in the most effective way possible, but being realistic our aim should be to stay in touch, or better, keep above Accies, Kilmarnock and Ross County. If we do then there's all to play for after the split when things will be decided. By then hopefully, some injured players will have returned, although there will still be other outstanding issues to be resolved at a later date.

Lewis Irons made a god point today and last Saturday (with 2 different midfields), and that is that our strikers are too isolated from the midfield. Its been this way all season.

Liam Kelly for me.

With the exception of his 2 recent goals, even Campbell has been very poor for the last 2/3 months.

Good post Iain. I've been going to FP even longer and I've never known such an injury/illness crisis. Is it just bad luck or is there more to it. There seems to be a helluva lot of training/mystery problems. It doesn't feel right.

Not in the least bit surprised by this result. Given the team we had to field what were folk expecting? If we have to field much the same team next midweek I'll take another 3-0 defeat providing there's no more injuries or red cards. Being realistic, I'm hoping that we're not adrift come the split. That will give us time to regroup. Could we have done better today? Yes, I think our 4-3-3 set up was wrong, although options were limited. Very few pass marks, Kelly and the promising Johnston being exceptions. Not a day on which to judge our strikers. In short the entire midfield and defence, with the exception of Johnston was shocking. As I said, pre match, there's a danger of going on a downward spiral lets hope that doesn't happen.

Excepting his 2 runs, Maguire has been very poor, but he is a central midfielder.

True, but we don't have the players to play the long ball either.

Believe me a whole lot worse. Given our injuries, our set up, and the way we've been playing 2-0 at HT is not bad. We just need to get today and next midweek out of the way with no red cards and no more illness or injuries.

Very one sided game so far.

Good finish but poor defending. Our midfield has been anonymous, understandably.

Given our injury list just now, making predictions about team line ups and results is a real lottery. My fear, which is shared by a few others apparently, is that if we get beaten today we'll take a nosedive in confidence and consequently form. 6 points would be great but 0-2 is by no means impossible. Its now time for GA to earn his corn.

A midfield 4 should be given instructions to fight to the death/die in the proverbial ditch to prevent St Johnstone from getting anywhere near our penalty box. Do that and we won't be beaten.

I won't predict past Saturday because of our absentee list. However given the probable defensive line up against St Johnstone I'd settle for a draw right now. GA has improved the team a bit but we have yet to play well over a full 90 minutes. Playing well for 45 isn't really good enough in our position. Who knows though, St Johnstone's attention may be deflected on Saturday and we may unearth a gem of a youngster. I also want to see us show more fighting spirit and energy, especially when defending off the ball. A loss on Saturday although unhelpful, wouldn't be the end of the world. But I don't want to pick up any more injuries or red cards. Is that too much to ask for?

Despite the length of our injury list we may have an option or two at the back; maybe choose the least worst option, that's the best way to put it. You could have a back 4 of O'Hara, Maguire, Lamie and Carroll.

So, our unavailable list reads like: Carson, Fox, O'Donnell, Devine, Mugabi, Grimshaw, Donnelly, Lawless, Smith, Foley, Gallagher, Dunne, McGinley.......and counting.

Right now, we need all the help we can get. In the run in to the split rivals' results are important as our own.

At the best of times, Saturday would be a very tough game, but with our injury list it'll be a mountain to climb. In normal times I'd be hopeful of a win but with a likely makeshift defence? Much will depend on whether Mugabi and Grimshaw make it. Hopefully no more injuries before the weekend, but with our record, I'm not holding my breath. St Johnstone will play their usual game and will try to bully and hassle us from the off as Accies did. If we can match their work rate then that will help.

Interesting that Grimmy will be back "as soon as possible", whatever that means. Presumably thats different to "To be confirmed". Neither Mugabi nor Foley is mentioned.

Or as we've done before with others, give him a cut of the transfer fee.

At the AGM it was said that season ticket details will be released in the next 4-6 weeks. The Covid 19 pandemic has brought widespread misery and really affected us all and almost entirely not in a good way. Financially its been a mixed bag. Millions in the travel, hospitality, retailing and other industries have lost their jobs and their income has been slashed. Hotels, pubs, restaurants and airlines have gone into cold storage. But for others, especially those in the public sector and in some large companies it has been better. They have been working from home, cut travel costs and have been unable to spend their income to the usual extent. Retirees are in the same boat. Income largely unaffected with little to spend it on. So, for others they've built up cash reserves. As for season ticket renewal, I hope the club gives us choices. At an individual level, there's no right and no wrong. For some, paying again for a new ticket simply isn't on, and they will take advantage of the club's generosity and will renew at no cost. For others, they will wish to pay in full for their renewal, and for yet others they may wish to take advantage of the club's no charge renewal, but only pay for the benefits of TV coverage this season. Each to their own. The bottom line is that the club will generate income from some renewals next season; but may not see fans in FP again until the autumn or year end.

The idea of a 4-5-1 formation also ocurred to me. A lot will depend on which players are available of course. To add to our woes I think Watt and Gallagher must be nearing the suspension stage. I hope that Saints don't intimidate us and if that isn't enough of a threat, they'll be streetwise as ever and we'll do well to remind ourselves of the penalties they've "earned" against us in recent years. It certainly won't be a classic and as you say, a 0-0 borefest would be a very good outcome indeed.

Selection wise, defence is is going to be an issue. As things stand, the back 4 could comprise some combination of O'Hara, Lamie, Magloire and Carroll and Maguire. I'm not for throwing in youngsters like Max Johnston, Dean Cornelius, or Yusuf Hussain, unless we really are in dire straits. Without knowing any details, I hope that one or more of Gallagher, McGinley and Foley are fit enough and that we don't pick up any more injuries this week. We need to resort to a 4-4-2 and that could mean a return for Crawford, if fit. I'd be wary about promoting Polworth as this doesn't seem like his kind of game. As usual St Johnstone will be physical, hard working, organised and last but by no means least, streetwise. It might also mean promoting a winger. Maybe some creative thinking required like playing Long in a central midfield role. Hopefully Smith will be fit as we sure as hell will need some height on Saturday. GA will also need to drum into his team the need for hard work. St Johnstone are beatable, but we don't need our lads virtually applauding them as they zip by them. A bit of guts and fight would be a start.

Excellent post Bobby. I just don't get the "retreat into our own box and let the opposition fire in crosses" approach. In fairness we've done this for quite some time. That might, and I stress might, be ok if you have an outstanding goalie with very few weaknesses, and 2 excellent giant central defenders and 2 decent full backs......but we don't. This is the reason why we have conceded so many penalties this season. If you allow the opposition free entry to your box any manner of things can go wrong including individual mistakes, brilliant finishing, deflections, bad luck and refereeing errors. Why leave this to chance? Defence? McGinley may have recovered in time; O'Hara to right back where he's played before. Midfield? Crawford to come back in and maybe one from Hastie, Polworth and Roberts. Its a case of least bad options. Apart from individual ability, the midfield mix just isn't right. The St Johnsone game is not one to blood youngsters. We have to revert to a 4-4-2 to try to compete better in midfield, protect a vulnerable defence and support 2 hard working, but isolated, strikers. The January signings? Lawless, Smith and Foley injured; Magloire doesn't impress; and and where is Eddie Nolan? Where is the point in signing players in January if they are unfit and will take months to get up to speed?

Tony Watt for me. Never gave up. Devante Cole a close second.