St Johnstone vs The Famous Heart of Midlothian** official match day thread**

[Ricardo Quaresma]

By the way, I assume you'll all have been wondering that the jonnies shocking forn is a complete and utter league ruse; it absolutely stinks of it, but I'm sure everyone at the club knows the crack there

 

They were out before KO against SA, mind 👍

[Marvin]

Hearing ticketless St J. fans are doubling up at the turnstiles and in the home end. Disgrace. Any Hearts fan giving them their ST for this should be banned and their brief passed on to the next person on the waiting list.

[frankblack]

19 minutes ago, Marvin said:

Hearing ticketless St J. fans are doubling up at the turnstiles and in the home end. Disgrace. Any Hearts fan giving them their ST for this should be banned and their brief passed on to the next person on the waiting list.

 

Not sure if I've misunderstood you but you do know this is their home game?

[Marvin]

3 minutes ago, frankblack said:

 

Not sure if I've misunderstood you but you do know this is their home game?

 

It is  It's early I've been up since first thing. Still half asleep.  That explains why Gorgie Road was quiet.

Edited July 30, 2023 by Marvin
Spelling

[frankblack]

1 minute ago, Marvin said:

 

It is  It's early I've been up this first thing. Still half asleep. 

 

No worries.  I crashed out after a curry last night after an afternoon on the sauce!  Easily done....

 

[jamboozy]

7 hours ago, Ricardo Quaresma said:

By the way, I assume you'll all have been wondering that the jonnies shocking forn is a complete and utter league ruse; it absolutely stinks of it, but I'm sure everyone at the club knows the crack there

 

They were out before KO against SA, mind 👍

Glad it’s not just me that thinks this😂 I’m confident the coaches (SN really) will approach this professionally and get the job done. I, for one, would really like to get this away hoodoo off our backs, especially against the Jonnies.

(good name btw😂) 

Edited July 30, 2023 by jamboozy

[Mr Rabbit]

8 hours ago, JimmyCant said:

Hmmmm…… I’m expecting us to get right out of the blocks here and win comfortably.
 

This ought to be an away banker. Anything less than that would be hard to take, given our away form holding us back for so many years. This slow starting making it over the line, game too early and other excuses pish has to stop right here, because then we’ll start excusing it on Europe and injuries and officials and the weather and mental fatique and the pitch and all the other shite excuses Neilson used to trot out

Agreed, and I would hope they will however they have played 4 ‘competitive games’ regardless of how poor they’ve played and we’ve not played one. I think it’ll be too early for Vargas and Tagawa so the team we’ll have will lack a lot of pace, which IMO will play into St Johnstones hands.

 

It’s easy to say these games are bankers based on St Johnstones results in the league cup I just feel the reality might not be the same. However I hope I'm wrong.

[Ricardo Quaresma]

10 minutes ago, jamboozy said:

Glad it’s not just me that thinks this😂 I’m confident the coaches (SN really) will approach this professionally and get the job done. I, for one, would really like to get this away hoodoo off our backs, especially against the Jonnies.

(good name btw😂) 

 

Aye, well, we did beat them last time, but made it a bit uncomfortable for ourselves (snodgrass gave a penalty away) as well

 

* just noticed I wrote 'forn' instead of form 😄

[jamboozy]

20 minutes ago, Ricardo Quaresma said:

 

Aye, well, we did beat them last time, but made it a bit uncomfortable for ourselves (snodgrass gave a penalty away) as well

 

* just noticed I wrote 'forn' instead of form 😄

😂had you typed porn I would have put it down to a Freudian slip.😃😂😂

[sac]

52 minutes ago, jamboozy said:

Glad it’s not just me that thinks this😂 I’m confident the coaches (SN really) will approach this professionally and get the job done. I, for one, would really like to get this away hoodoo off our backs, especially against the Jonnies.

(good name btw😂) 

Yep, I think subs will be introduced quicker as well, short shrift will be given to those not cutting the mustard on the day. More depth and more energy in the squad if all our new signings come to fruition. I hope and I’m sure Naismith will make it crystal clear about the work rate required

[Turkishcap]

We have to ignore saints results so far, means jot in great scheme of things. 

They will be feeling hurt and anyway everyone raises their game against us.

Edited July 30, 2023 by Turkishcap
Spelling as usual

[micole]

5 minutes ago, Turkishcap said:

We have to ignore saints results so far, means jot in great scheme of things. 

They will be feeling hurt and anyway everyone raises their game against us.

Totally agree. We have to be on it from the start, our away form in recent years has been awful, and in Perth has been poor. Hopefully we can put all that behind us and put in a good performance and get a result...HHGH!!.

[Ford Prentice]

13 minutes ago, sac said:

Yep, I think subs will be introduced quicker as well, short shrift will be given to those not cutting the mustard on the day. More depth and more energy in the squad if all our new signings come to fruition. I hope and I’m sure Naismith will make it crystal clear about the work rate required

Probably too soon for this to apply. Likely to be a bit short on numbers especially up front. Oda, Boyce and Pollock doubtful and Tagawa & Vargas paperwork unlikely to be finalised. Wilson has been getting a run out in friendlies and expect to see him again today but he's only 16 and has a bit to go yet. Kirk has been banging them in but Naismith doesn't seem to think he's ready for the step up.

[wavydavy]

51 minutes ago, Turkishcap said:

We have to ignore saints results so far, means jot in great scheme of things. 

They will be feeling hurt and anyway everyone raises their game against us.

 

Exactly they will be hurting after that result yesterday they will have a point to prove. Never an easy game against them even although we have better players than them.

[sac]

33 minutes ago, Ford Prentice said:

Probably too soon for this to apply. Likely to be a bit short on numbers especially up front. Oda, Boyce and Pollock doubtful and Tagawa & Vargas paperwork unlikely to be finalised. Wilson has been getting a run out in friendlies and expect to see him again today but he's only 16 and has a bit to go yet. Kirk has been banging them in but Naismith doesn't seem to think he's ready for the step up.

Possibly, but our opening fixtures should afford us the opportunity to change it quickly if needed, as our current starting 11 should be good enough. Would like to see a youngster get a chance in a game in which we are comfortable, and I have a feeling there will be some.

[Arry]

Pains me to say it but this has draw written all over it.  We’re not up to speed with new players still to be introduced.  They will be fighting every ball after poor league cup … 1-1.

[Gundermann]

2 hours ago, Turkishcap said:

We have to ignore saints results so far, means jot in great scheme of things. 

They will be feeling hurt and anyway everyone raises their game against us.

 

Just heard Cosgrove on OTB say that Saints problem is that they can't penetrate a tight defence. I just hope our defence has tightened up since last season.

 

Otherwise, I hope that Shanks, Oda and Boyce have a field day against their own shell shocked defence. A handsome win would get our season off to a flyer.

[tiger Rudi]

I think we will struggle to break them down, but hope eventually we will get the win and get our season off to a good start. Without McKay and Gino we do lack a bit up front and wide. We need the two signings in asap. A lot of pressure on Hoff, Grant to unlock their defence playing Shanks in through the middle rather than with balls over the top. Without pace we will need to be patient. Are Boyce and Beni going to be fit? 

[TexasAndy]

What an absolute joy to read the Sunday paper and see a proper fixture list for next week.   Hope we are ignoring Saints poor league cup form, they will be up for this so we need to be at it from the start.  Fancy 2-0 Hearts

[Armageddon]

On 30/07/2023 at 06:57, Marvin said:

Hearing ticketless St J. fans are doubling up at the turnstiles and in the home end. Disgrace. Any Hearts fan giving them their ST for this should be banned and their brief passed on to the next person on the waiting list.

 

"Hearing"

"Any Hearts fan giving them their ST should be banned"

 

Hahahaha   Glad you got pulled up for that mis-information, football forums eh?

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

Where it all begins. First league match is what we build up to. 

 

Back 4, keeper, Shankland and Oda all guaranteed to start I think, who fills the other 4 positions, will depend on various issues

[i8hibsh]

Seems like it is always a high scoring game when we play them.  Our defence is so awful I am sure this will continue.

 

Rowles to be bullied all game as per.

Red card for Devlin, Atkinson or cochrane as per.

 

St Johnstone 2 Hearts 3

[Turkishcap]

Thank goodness pre season games over now down to the real stuff new signings meltdowns and hopefully loads of Yeeeesssss!

[Mr Elwood P]

4 minutes ago, i8hibsh said:

Seems like it is always a high scoring game when we play them.  Our defence is so awful I am sure this will continue.

 

Rowles to be bullied all game as per.

Red card for Devlin, Atkinson or cochrane as per.

 

St Johnstone 2 Hearts 3

Well Cochrane is suspended so he'll be doing well to get sent off. Our new centre back looks like a brilliant bit of business. 

[Dick Dastardly]

3 nil Hearts

Boyce and Beni to come on in the second half

[Armageddon]

Not totally excited about this one, 0-0 draw and this place will implode, we've definitely lost some spark with Gino going.

[tiger Rudi]

9 minutes ago, Dick Dastardly said:

3 nil Hearts

Boyce and Beni to come on in the second half

Kent for Rowles, Sibbick RCB. Hoff for Devlin. Rowles needs some bench time, see if that sharpens his ideas up and let's see how hungry he is to get his place back. Still look very lightweight up front without a genuine partner for Shanks. Still should be too good for St Johnstone. 

[i8hibsh]

1 hour ago, Mr Elwood P said:

Well Cochrane is suspended so he'll be doing well to get sent off. Our new centre back looks like a brilliant bit of business. 

 

 

Ah so he is, I lose track of our endless supensions.

 

I hope he is the real deal Mr EP is but I will wait to see how he deals with the SPL cloggers before patting Savage on the back.  Rowles was good in the world cup v the world's elite but he is a horrendous SPL defender.  He just can't handle our game.  A 5 year deal for that huddy will take the shine of any future good business we do.

Edited July 31, 2023 by i8hibsh

[Dick Dastardly]

1 hour ago, tiger Rudi said:

Kent for Rowles, Sibbick RCB. Hoff for Devlin. Rowles needs some bench time, see if that sharpens his ideas up and let's see how hungry he is to get his place back. Still look very lightweight up front without a genuine partner for Shanks. Still should be too good for St Johnstone. 

Do you think Hoff is ready to start? I think he will be a regular starter soon but I'm not 100% sure he is up to speed yet. 

You could be correct about Rowles, i just think Naismith will stick with him. 

[GinRummy]

1 hour ago, Dick Dastardly said:

3 nil Hearts

Boyce and Beni to come on in the second half

I'd expect to see Beni on from the start if he hasn't picked up a niggle. Id also expect Tagawa to start if he arrives in the next day or so.

[karipidis]

What is the latest with Beni, Boyce and Barrie? 
 

appears Beni and Boyce was probably precautionary yesterday but not been much at all on McKays return. 

[tiger Rudi]

Just now, Dick Dastardly said:

Do you think Hoff is ready to start? I think he will be a regular starter soon but I'm not 100% sure he is up to speed yet. 

You could be correct about Rowles, i just think Naismith will stick with him. 

Hoff wasn't a stand out by any means against Leeds, but it WAS Leeds. What he did do was tidy, he was disciplined positionally and didn't make any major errors. His fitness looked good. He can tackle, fairly and looks mobile to me. I would play him from the start. A midfield of him and Beni could be damn good tbh. If we need a three in there, add Haring, Devlin or Grant, depending on the required formation and opposition of course. Early days but I think Hoff is better than Devlin on my first view of him. Doesn't dive in, but when he does, he wins the ball. Seems to have Cammy's ability to break down play, but with the added bonus, he knows what to do with it when he does win it. Give him time, I think he will be a great addition. Will know more after a few starts, beginning with St Johnstone. 

[Bob Loblaw]

Positive from yesterday was that I thought we looked like we defended set pieces a lot better. Made first contact a lot at corners and free kicks into the box, clearly been working on it.

[tiger Rudi]

Just now, Bob Loblaw said:

Positive from yesterday was that I thought we looked like we defended set pieces a lot better. Made first contact a lot at corners and free kicks into the box, clearly been working on it.

Yes I thought so too. Thought the formation and defending worked, mostly. Very light up front, so no out ball when were up against it, but hoping the two new signings will change that. 

[Dick Dastardly]

7 minutes ago, GinRummy said:

I'd expect to see Beni on from the start if he hasn't picked up a niggle. Id also expect Tagawa to start if he arrives in the next day or so.

Maybe, i think the new guys might be eased in gently (including Beni in that category) 

[Dick Dastardly]

6 minutes ago, tiger Rudi said:

Hoff wasn't a stand out by any means against Leeds, but it WAS Leeds. What he did do was tidy, he was disciplined positionally and didn't make any major errors. His fitness looked good. He can tackle, fairly and looks mobile to me. I would play him from the start. A midfield of him and Beni could be damn good tbh. If we need a three in there, add Haring, Devlin or Grant, depending on the required formation and opposition of course. Early days but I think Hoff is better than Devlin on my first view of him. Doesn't dive in, but when he does, he wins the ball. Seems to have Cammy's ability to break down play, but with the added bonus, he knows what to do with it when he does win it. Give him time, I think he will be a great addition. Will know more after a few starts, beginning with St Johnstone. 

I think the first choice midfield will be Hoff and Beni, I'm just not sure either of them are fully ready. I'm not often correct, though. 

[Mr Elwood P]

1 hour ago, i8hibsh said:

 

 

Ah so he is, I lose track of our endless supensions.

 

I hope he is the real deal Mr EP is but I will wait to see how he deals with the SPL cloggers before patting Savage on the back.  Rowles was good in the world cup v the world's elite but he is a horrendous SPL defender.  He just can't handle our game.  A 5 year deal for that huddy will take the shine of any future good business we do.

The SPL hasn't existed for a decade. Away back to your bed!

[Mr Elwood P]

37 minutes ago, GinRummy said:

I'd expect to see Beni on from the start if he hasn't picked up a niggle. Id also expect Tagawa to start if he arrives in the next day or so.

Beni's been out for about 2 years and Tagawa is just off a plane from Japan. Not sure chucking them both in against the Perth cloggers is that wise?

[i8hibsh]

4 minutes ago, Mr Elwood P said:

The SPL hasn't existed for a decade. Away back to your bed!

 

 

Eh?

[Mr Elwood P]

1 minute ago, i8hibsh said:

 

 

Eh?

Hearts don't play in the SPL. Haven't for a decade...

[The Old Tolbooth]

On 30/07/2023 at 06:57, Marvin said:

Hearing ticketless St J. fans are doubling up at the turnstiles and in the home end. Disgrace. Any Hearts fan giving them their ST for this should be banned and their brief passed on to the next person on the waiting list.

 

A ticketless St Johnstone fan has never happened, not once. 

[The Old Tolbooth]

It's a bit of a graveyard for us that place, but at least we won't be going there trying to stop losing under Snoreson's tactics, and should be trying to win the game instead (I know we fluked a result there last season before the Boaby lovers pile on) 

[i8hibsh]

14 minutes ago, Mr Elwood P said:

Hearts don't play in the SPL. Haven't for a decade...

 

 

Sorry for spoiling your day, hope you are able to turn it round and manage to have a good one.

[Mr Elwood P]

10 minutes ago, The Old Tolbooth said:

It's a bit of a graveyard for us that place, but at least we won't be going there trying to stop losing under Snoreson's tactics, and should be trying to win the game instead (I know we fluked a result there last season before the Boaby lovers pile on) 

I hope that's not what we've been trying to do in pre - season!

 

2 minutes ago, i8hibsh said:

 

 

Sorry for spoiling your day, hope you are able to turn it round and manage to have a good one.

If you don't know what league we play in and don't know that a player has a three game suspension, it further undermines your attempt to be negative...

[wavydavy]

1 hour ago, karipidis said:

What is the latest with Beni, Boyce and Barrie? 
 

appears Beni and Boyce was probably precautionary yesterday but not been much at all on McKays return. 

 

Boyce has a calf strain and Beni rested as he played 90 minutes in the previous friendly apparently.

 

This is always the issue when long term injured players come back they tend to get niggly injuries.

 

Hopefully both available for Saturday, we need them.

[fila]

On 30/07/2023 at 04:10, Captain Canada said:

I'd go for: 

 

Clark

Atkinson Sibbick Rowles Kingsley

Beni Devlin

Oda Smith Halliday 

Shankland 

 

I'd give Kent a bit more time to settle in and I've no idea if any of the other new signings will be eligible to play. 

 

I'm not Halliday's biggest fan, but I think he's shown he can be a goal threat when he's played further forward. I'd have him on the bench when everyone is fit and available, though. 

 

It's also quite an inexperienced team otherwise. 

 

 

That defence scares me 

[PapaShango]

1 hour ago, tiger Rudi said:

Yes I thought so too. Thought the formation and defending worked, mostly. Very light up front, so no out ball when were up against it, but hoping the two new signings will change that. 

Probably a combination of the opposition as well but we definitely need another option and the Japanese lad may be the answer. We won’t play many teams as good as Leeds all season, their side is filled with players that cost millions and played at a high level domestically and internationally. Hopefully Beni is back and would be good to get some pace injected into the side. 

[The Old Tolbooth]

23 minutes ago, Mr Elwood P said:

I hope that's not what we've been trying to do in pre - season!

 

Minutes into legs Mr E, that's the only thing pre season kickabouts are good for, don't go reading anything into these games too much, although I do think the league should start earlier as we're at a disadvantage of not having played a competitive game yet, and we've got a Euro qualifier coming up as our 3rd game into the season. 

[GinRummy]

47 minutes ago, Mr Elwood P said:

Beni's been out for about 2 years and Tagawa is just off a plane from Japan. Not sure chucking them both in against the Perth cloggers is that wise?

We'll see. Beni makes such a difference to our midfield i'd sooner start with him then take him off. Tagawa is expected to 'hit the ground running' so if he gets here today or tomorrow and gets a chance to do a bit if training then he'll play imo, our forward choices are a bit sub par as it stands

 

[highlandjambo3]

On 30/07/2023 at 07:22, frankblack said:

 

No worries.  I crashed out after a curry last night after an afternoon on the sauce!  Easily done....

 

I had a guy in the breakfast room last week at 8.30pm……..I went in and told him it was evening time and not morning, he asked me if I was sure 🤣🤣🤣(he was 12 hours early for his breakfast)…..gen I sh*t you not.