Kmcalpin

Interesting today that Derby County played their FA Cup tie without an entire first team squad and most of their Under 23s.

Never a penalty in my book. If anything Erwin lashes out at Mugabi with his foot. I'd better leave it at that. Interesting comment by the boss that when teams defend too deeply you look to the experienced players to push out and drive colleagues on. Thats just not happening.

Well he signed the contract, extension clause included. If he's as good as he thinks he is, he'll get a well deserved move in the summer and we'll get a decent fee, appropriate to a good player with 12 months left on his contract.

It could also have been zero. If Saints had scored an equaliser earlier it really would have been squeaky bum time. On another tack, Gallagher is one less game away from activating his extension clause.

IF our traditional second half slumps and late concessions are, at least in part, down to poor fitness levels, Mr Alexander is the man to sort it.

Obviously I'd rather have the 3 points than 1, but in many ways the absolutely perfect result for Graham Alexander. We get a point and move off 2nd bottom spot. Not something I'd have predicted last weekend! More importantly though this sounds like our typical performance this season for our new man to see for himself in his first game - the good and the bad. * players showing some skill * not pressing home our advantage whilst on top * some players underperforming * lack of character * lack of experience/streetwiseness * late slump * inability to see a game out * losing a silly goal

Whilst its encouraging to be one up and playing well, I'm desperate for us to manage the game well, and keep a clean sheet with no red cards. Just keep things solid.

A decent post. Despite what he a said in public, I suspect that Graham Alexander will already have a rough idea of who he has in the squad and what positions he wants to strengthen. If he doesn't, he'll need to learn pretty damn quick given the window dates. Today will give him an even better idea. I doubt it would go down well in the dressing room if he announced before seeing the players in action today, that he was going to wield the axe. Lack of resilience - I agree 100%. Only part of that is down to lack of confidence. Part is also down to the teams' individual characters which he can't change without personnel changes.

Great post Al. The new manager will never have a better opportunity to assess his players, warts and all. Its a game which could, realistically, go any way. Jim Goodwin has had our tactics well and truly sussed as recent results against the Buddies prove, but we may just start to see signs of modest changes today, which may just wrong foot him - very early days though. The St Mirren physio has given approval for today's fixture to go ahead as Saints are almost at full strength On a more serious note, the BBC reports that Long and Lamie are unavailable, together with long term absentees. Kelly has been given clearance to play.

The engine room needs a service.

Where did you pick this up? I think he is a decent coach.

Just listened to Graham Alexander's interview. He seems to have a very strong work ethic. Interesting that he referred to underperforming players, as Robbo did and factions and divisions on the playing side. At least that's what I took out of it, maybe wrongly so.

I would hope so.

I think he'll hit the ground running with regards to the squad; possible departures and requirements for new players.

If confirmed, this seems like a fresh start for us. We need a new broom and a change of regime.

I remember watching Jim MacLean's United teams and our own wee Tommy's early sides. Absolutely dire to watch but they worked. United fans loved watching their heroes take a horrendous pummelling for 89 minutes and then stage a last gasp smash and grab act to take 3 points.

I don't know for sure but would assume that the manager would identify positions for which we need to recruit and also inform the recruitment team of the type of player he wants to bring in. They will do the rest. It may well be that Martin Foyle will have a long list of potential recruits to present to our new man.

He's not really kicked a ball for us for some weeks now. We could always do as we've done at times in the past of course in simialr circumstances; give him a cut of the fee/excess fee. He'd have to up his game in return of course.

If true, and if Millwall or any other other club want him now, then we should ask for a fee equivalent to the compensation we'd be due at the end of the season and then some. Otherwise retain his services until our last game.

Maybe he was forth out of the four.

Is that the Babylon Bridge?

Chicken and egg situation. Maybe we resort to hoofball because he's not doing it on the deck - thats my take on it? Although talented, he's not as physical as Turnbull and is a bit lightweight. He needs hard working physical players around him to let him play. Maybe about the midfield mix?

The calm before the storm.....

Announced recently, United players have been asked to take wage cuts.

Now is not the time to appoint Las. Wright is not everyone's Cup of tea but knows Scottish football and is a known quantity and would be a firm but dull manager (friends who are Saints fans have castigated me for saying this). My concern is his views on youth development. I know little of Grayson except that he's experienced and managed at a reasonably high level in England albeit not very successfully. A high risk appointment. I also know little of Alexander but again hasn't been a roaring success down south. Experienced and knows the English lower leagues. Again a risky appointment but not as much as Grayson. I wonder who else applied.