Kmcalpin

I don't know about that. United are possibly the most physical team in the SPFL and have been since Craig Levein's days. One thing is for sure, John Porteous will be a busy man after Saturday irrespective of the scoreline. They're not an easy side to play against and know just how to work referees. We should go out to give 100% and nothing less but if we go out to be physical it'll be a bloodbath and we'll come off second best. Those who like their football physical will really savour this season's cup final as St Johnstone can also be very "robust".

In my book he's done a great job. No world beater but I'd pull out all the stops to sign him (but not breaking the bank to do so). He's looked good in virtually in all the games in which he's participated and displayed strength of character. He can play right back, centre midfield and centre back - just the kind of versatility we require with our small squad. He can show a fair turn of speed on the overlap. My early impressions have been confirmed in that he's a better right back than Tom Hately. On the debit side he's a bit raw in some regards despite his age but that can be worked on. I'd rate him above Simon Ramsden in terms of reliability. Whilst I've a lot of time for Ramsden he came to us with a poor injury record and has missed a fair games both last season and this. Played very well against Celtic and helped set up the 3rd goal as well as doing a lot to snuff out Celtic's attacking midfield threat. By no means perfect but fine at our level - currently upper half of SPFL.

That's been the case ever since I can remember and I'm going back decades. I reckon our home support was down by about 1,000 - 1,500 on Saturday. If we introduced stronger policing and banned live TV cameras or unsubscribed from the greedy TV companies then our attendances would rise considerably. That's not the full story though. As for the media they know perfectly well what goes on but choose to ignore it as it pays them financially to do so.

I'll tell you what - that was quite a pass by Craig Reid in the build up to our third goal. Real class.

Televised football?

Celtic's penalty was very soft indeed. Its annoying when you look back at the stonewall claims we've had turned down this season.

Does anyone know where I can pick up a copy of today's edition?

A good result and performance given our makeshift side. Dundee United's defeat at Perth also gave us a boost. Good all round team performance. Just a pity that Kris Boyd doesn't play for us - what a difference he'd have made.

Jack Leitch for me although it was a real team effort. I thought Neilsen, Reid, ZFA, Sutton and of course Leitch were slightly above the others. Well done to all the lads and SM though.

I'd guess Kerr will be right back with Reid playing in the centre of midfield. One of Ainsworth or ZFA will start unless we go with Sutton on his own up front in which case both will start.

You've quoted the worst case scenario, which of course could occur. The best case scenario which would be no home cup draws, would represent an increase of £30 or 10.7%. Even if we did have a home cup draw the price may be as low as £15. I suppose we also have to take into account the price rise last year...can't recall offhand what that was if indeed there was one.

I think the club's proposals are reasonable in the circumstances. No complaint from me.

If previous posters' information is correct his suspension will be announced by the SFA tomorrow. If it isn't correct then I assume he's injured or will be fit.

For those who haven't seen it there's an excellent article on Fir Park Corner about our groundsman and his views on the pitch.

A fair summing up. My guess is 5 or 6 points. Its a pity though that we're not playing United in the last game, I'd feel far more confident if we were. In recent years they've been a pretty ruthless lot and have benefitted greatly from weak refereeing.

If you were at the game I have to respect your opinion but 12 corners against 4 is a telling statistic. We're doing well this season but that doesn't mean that we should overlook or conceal our persistent weaknesses. An inability to defend is very worrying and that isn't all down to our defence. Much of it is down to a midfield that cannot defend or shield its back four. If we cannot defend crosses/corners (and we can't) then we should look to defend higher up the park and cut out such threats but we seem to take to the view that if we lose 2 or 3 goals so what we'll score 3 or 4. Some days that may work but today some, not me, might blame our strikers for not scoring enough. Irrespective of where we finish the goalkeeping position and defensive midfield need to be addressed in some shape or form over the summer.

I'm more inclined to blame our midfield and full backs Jim, although I haven't seen the game yet. St Mirren seem to have had so much pressure, so many crosses into our box, so many corners. If we persist in defending so deeply we'll always ship goals. It might be freak efforts, deflections, defensive errors, or refereeing blunders, but they all count. I much prefer to see us defend higher up the park, harrying and closing down players, preventing crosses etc. If the opposition can't get the ball into the box the chances are they won't score. Today it seems that St Mirren were all over us and dominated midfield. If that is indeed the case then we shouldn't be surprised if we got beaten. You have to feel sorry for our central defence - under constant pressure with little or no protection. Maybe our win bonuses simply weren't big enough to motivate the team.

If we play like this after the split, 5th place will be a bonus. Simply not good enough and questions must be asked as to why St Mirren were allowed to put so much pressure on our goal. As long as the ball is in or near our penalty area we'll concede. No point in panicking after one bad result but a pattern is beginning to form - throwing away leads and late goals.

Yes, just as Dodge says. The lowest we can finish is 6th ie top six. I agree that this distribution of cash seems ludicrous but I suppose you could reasonably ask why member clubs don't complain about it.

Yes that's correct. We get paid an instalment for finishing 6th fairly soon (clubs finishing in the lower half get nought). Any balance is then paid after the season finishes. Good to see a mature debate about club finances these days compared to years gone by when some posters constantly asked where the club's cash was going and why we weren't making a fat profit every year. That's said the club is now far more open about this than it used to be.

I agree 100% Iain, but for the TV companies and Police this simply isn't an issue. In this day and age organisational self interest comes first.

I guess the Police and or the TV companies are still working out potential implications for their organisations.

Can't say I like the idea of resetting at all. You could easily have a situation where by some teams qualify fairly early for the top half and them simply switch off as there would be no further incentive to do well pre split. Just think of the top 6 this season. Many games, last night's for example, could be meaningless.

A great result tonight in a crunch game. Well done to Stuart and the team. It was never going to be easy but we've seized the 3 points. Iain Vigurs seems to be hitting a rich vein of form. Scoring against his old team too Who made the first goal? The much maligned Fraser Kerr. Only downside seems to be Craig Reid's injury - hope its not too bad and we can keep Kerr fit. Followed the BBC's text commentary - biased or what? C'mon the Well. Safe journey back home for our travelling fans - they'll have enjoyed it.

Hope you put a stamp on the envelope