Kmcalpin

Maybe he wants a move to Shellic.

In that case our legal advisers have a question to answer. Surely these clauses are standard wording?

I'll state from the outset that I don't know what is going on here. But "hypothetically", why would the club remove the clause to allow him to play but then not play him?

This season, yes. In fairness to him he's a different kind of player to Turnbull. DT played in a more advanced role whilst Polworth plays deeper, along with our other midfielders. That creates a gap between them and our strikers, which has been hard to bridge.

Absolutely. It all depends on who partners him in midfield. He needs hard working, hard tackling energetic types beside him to enable him to flourish. That said his set pieces leave a lot to be desired.

I think there ought to be a place for McGinley in our current starting 11, maybe as part of a back 3. Ok he isn't the magic answer to all our problems but he's looked ok in cameo appearanes.

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.