[josecomehome]

Also, Marko and Elebert have only conceded 1 goal as a central defensive partnership all season. Even that was to a counter-attack from a bad attacking free-kick against Livi at home. That's in 8 or 9 games. In fact, not having Elebert at centre half and Parrat at right back in the last 7 games has coincided with our bad away form.

[Dick Stewartson]

Was speaking to Derek McInnes this morning. He reckons the Saintees will get at least a point. Main aim is to ensure they don't lose as Derek believes they will make up the points gap and win the First Division.

I agree with him. St. Johnstone will win the First Divsion this season now that that buffoon Coyle is away.

[badgers apprentice]

academical, on Dec 14 2007, 19:33, said:

I'm duly amazed.

I hope he's fully fit and is not being rushed back. And I hope he starts at centre-back.

My XI would be:

Halliwell
Mensing Elebert McLaughlin Easton
Wallner McCarthy Neil McArthur Gilhaney
Offiong

subs: Cerny, Swailes, Gibson, Winters, Graham

i would have winters out on the left, gilhaney has been gash for a couple of months now.

[badgers apprentice]

badgers apprentice, on Dec 15 2007, 14:14, said:

i would have winters out on the left, gilhaney has been gash for a couple of months now.

[Radford]

Thought we merited at least a point from that. Another blunder from Main saw us fall behind early on when we'd had Hamilton on the back foot for the opening spell. I thought we dominated the entire first half but came up against a very good backline - bar the shocking right back!

Second half Accies sat on their lead and killed the game, happy to wait for any opportunities to arise on the break. Very professional second half from them.

I'm no disappointed with the way we tried to play our football though. Would maybe have liked to see Halliwell tested a bit more but the performance was a million times better than at Firhill where we stole a point.

Best for Accies were the outstanding McCarthy and McLaughlin and I didn't think any of our players had a poor game, although clearly Main has to be held accountable for the goal.

[Saintclark(AJC)]

I couldnt agree more Radford took the words out of my mouth. A bad keeping error cost us again. But other than that a very good first half performance though yeilding little end product. People have been pointing fingers at Main all season some of it merited but for me any fan that can defend Stanic this season, really in my opinion doesn't know what they are talking about. He was poor and has been all season, nearly lost us a couple of goals. But some positives.

[Tubbs]

Delighted by that win, in what was not a great game. St J did have lots of the ball with very little penetration, our centre halfs were hard worked but showed a bit of quality.

We needed this win and we got it by scoring the goal and making better chances in the second half.

I was impressed by St J in midfield but less so up front and at the back. The left winger had Mensing twisted and turning a few times and perhaps St J should have got the ball to him more often.

[josecomehome]

Radford, on Dec 15 2007, 18:29, said:

Thought we merited at least a point from that. Another blunder from Main saw us fall behind early on when we'd had Hamilton on the back foot for the opening spell. I thought we dominated the entire first half but came up against a very good backline - bar the shocking right back!

Second half Accies sat on their lead and killed the game, happy to wait for any opportunities to arise on the break. Very professional second half from them.

I'm no disappointed with the way we tried to play our football though. Would maybe have liked to see Halliwell tested a bit more but the performance was a million times better than at Firhill where we stole a point.

Best for Accies were the outstanding McCarthy and McLaughlin and I didn't think any of our players had a poor game, although clearly Main has to be held accountable for the goal.

Agree with McCarthy and Marko being our best players. Some of McCarthy's first time passing was great to watch. Also agree that St. Johnstone deserved a point in terms of territory, although they didn't create very much. Accies defending was immense. Great to have Elebert back. Think Halliwell had one testing save to make all game which is a credit to the back line considering St.Johnstones possession in our half.
Mensing actually had an ok game. He passed the ball pretty decently and was a bit of a presence. He was skinned for his booking and probably just about deserved it. Then St. Johnstone's number 7 jumped into Mensing to get an obstruction. I was watching the ref and he wasn't even looking at the incident. Then Mensing tripped a St. Johnstone player by accident. The ref did well not to send him off despite McInnes shouting for it. Billy did the smart thing and subbed him at the start of the second half.

Hamilton had an off day and only began to play after Wake and Gilhaney came on. Even though Hamilton were poor- I still felt we were more likely to score throughout the game!! We attacked three times in the first 60 minutes and nearly scored three times. When the game stretched we had some excellent chances to extend the lead.

It was messy- but good to have beaten the bogey team.

[badgers apprentice]

this was an ugly win for accies, but win we god damn will! thought we were the better team in the first half and mcarthur took his goal well. mensing was booked for what was a foul, but never a booking and should have been booked afterwards for what were more bookable offences. quinn was lucky to stay on the park for an outrageous tackle on halliwell and how the saintees fans could cry cheats is beyond me.
second half was all st johnstone with accies getting little in the chances department and we only came away with a win due to an unbelievable save from halliwell ( waves at tig) best for accies was stalwart big marko who must be up for first division player of the year.

[Radford]

I wouldn't disagree that as the game wore on, Accies had the better chances but that was more down to the numbers of players behind the ball each side had. That's not a criticism of Hamilton either, when you can defend that well, you play to your strengths.

I think if the game had finished 0-0 or 1-1, the Accies fans would be frustrated at falling behind Dundee but both sets of fans would agree it was a fair result.

Don't agree about Mensing though. I was encouraged when I heard he was playing right back and right enough, I thought he struggled badly. Reid had to sub him before he got sent off as he couldn't contain MacDonald.

[Radford]

Please say you weren't at the game!

I doubt anybody at the game will agree with that assessment!

[Fast_Action]

Radford, on Dec 15 2007, 18:59, said:

Please say you weren't at the game!

I doubt anybody at the game will agree with that assessment!

So where are Savo and Sam these days?

[Tubbs]

Little in the chances dept ???

Realy ? Winters just past the post, Graham one on one with Main - great save, Wake again straight on the keeper, Gilheny nearly nipping in front of the St J defender at the 6 yard box.

[Radford]

Fast_Action, on Dec 15 2007, 19:02, said:

So where are Savo and Sam these days?

No idea mate. Sam will no doubt make an appearance after X-Factor but is appears as if Savo only posts when we are winning.

[badgers apprentice]

Radford, on Dec 15 2007, 18:59, said:

Please say you weren't at the game!

I doubt anybody at the game will agree with that assessment!

was your assessment stolen from radio scotland? dominated the entire first half

[SJFC-shayne-SJFC]

do hamilton always timewaste that much or was today a one off?

[badgers apprentice]

Tubbs, on Dec 15 2007, 19:04, said:

Little in the chances dept ???

Realy ? Winters just past the post, Graham one on one with Main - great save, Wake again straight on the keeper, Gilheny nearly nipping in front of the St J defender at the 6 yard box.

ok, i admit we had a few chances in the second half due to us piling everyone at the back and hitting saintees on the counter, thought grahams move was outstanding and he was unlucky.
it was the only thing he done all game

[Dick Stewartson]

Radford, on Dec 15 2007, 18:29, said:

Another blunder from Main

What goes around comes around.

[gav-ffc]

how did liam craig play?

[Fast_Action]

Radford, on Dec 15 2007, 18:29, said:

Another blunder from Main saw us fall behind early on when we'd had Hamilton on the back foot for the opening spell.

Do elaborate on main's blunder. I am keen to hear about it.

[Ye Olde Hamiltonian]

At last,the bogey is slayed-albeit temporarily.Saints seemed to win the midfield battle with the big gingery haired(or strawberry blonde)guy winning a lot of possession.

If Reid hadn't subbed Mensing,he was going to get sent off as he is too slow at full-back against the better teams.He was also skinned superbly in the first half with an excellent piece of trickery by McDonald I think.Solidity in defence was the key to our win.Plenty of Saints possession which will happen with one man up front who was having one of his can't be arsed days which allows the opposition to bring the ball forward constantly..

When Wake came on,most Accies fans thought " what the f##k is Reid doing"?Wallner looked the choice, but Wake made me and others eat our words with a gutsy harrying performance which deserved a goal.I think the run into the box,shot etc then somehow spinned off Main's posterior to not go in was reminiscent of Wake as a player.Namely the nearly man.

I think if Halliwell hadn't pulled off that world-class save,Saints would have got at the very least a draw.Reid for once was not afraid to chop and change personnel which was surprising but welcome.Gilhaney noticeably played better than he has recently as he now has to work for his place in the team.

Very interesting that Wallner never came on.May it be that Accies know he won't be staying hence why other subs were used?Who knows,but at least we had a few options on the bench.

Again,young McCarthy came on to a good game in the second half and it is refreshing to witness some of his control and wee flicks at times.
However,what looked like an elbow in the face from McManus was o.t.t.Again no foul given.

We had a few chances in the second half ,but I feel Accies still miss Stuart Taylor in midfield.Time for my first drink in a month.Gagging for a pint which will taste all the sweeter after today.Still time for a run of wins by Saints as Accies and Dundee will drop points.

[Fife Saint]

Well that settles that debate then. Game over and im glad i missed it. Main should not have played IMO.


Congrats Accies. The chances of us sneaking up are non-existent.

As if i couldn't get any more miserable the X Factor final is about to start.

Never mind, my wee team are playing later. Adelante Los Ches!

[Tubbs]

Main did make a couple of great saves in the second half.

[Steve McQueen]

Another disappointing result but at least we haven't given ourselves false hope & can build for next season.

[Fife Saint]

Tubbs, on Dec 15 2007, 20:25, said:

Main did make a couple of great saves in the second half.

That side of him hasn't diminished. When it comes to shot stopping he's normally top notch. His general positioning and distribution has been rank though.