Lex Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 Our first proper semi final since we won this trophy in 2013. Livi’s first semi since they lost to Dunfermline in 2006. A huge game for both clubs and as chances to make national cup finals go, they don’t get much better than this. Plus, given the possible final opponents, it’s a fantastic title shot for whoever gets through here. Livi certainly favourites for me. Even though we have won won both league games between the clubs 1-0 this season, Martindale’s Livi are clearly a different prospect than Holt’s. Since we beat them at the Spaghettihad in November and Holt chucked it, they've went and won eight games in a row and have gone from the thick of the relegation battle to virtually sealing back to back top six finishes. Indeed there’s no reason why they can’t finish top four, at the moment they’re seven points behind Hibs with two games in hand. They’re a right good team and the league table doesn’t lie, they’re better than us. They've certainly had an easier run to this stage right enough. They’ve beaten Ayr and Ross County at home in the knock out stages whereas we’ve seen off Aberdeen and Rangers. After a fantastic run that helped us to get here, our form’s stuttered a bit recently. One win, a couple of draws and a couple of defeats in our last five. We haven’t lost to anyone outside the current top four since September though - that may change at McDiarmid Park on Saturday right enough. We will have new signings Brophy and Quaner available, although suspect this game will come a bit early for the big German to have a Isma Goncalves style League Cup semi final debut. Would be great if he has an impact from the bench. Our keeper, back four, JDH and McGrath are all certain starters assuming no injuries or suspensions at the weekend. The other four positions are up for grabs, It will be two of Mason, Durmus, Connolly and McAllister on the flanks. Erhahon will probably start alongside JDH in the middle but MacPherson is a possibility and the lone striker could be Obika, Erwin or Brophy. There won't be much in it, none of our last five encounters with Livi have been decided by more than a single goal. There’s been two Saints wins, two Livi wins and one draw. It will be another close one but I think Livi’s Martindale Momentum will carry them through here and on to lift the trophy. Livi 2-1 Saints (AET) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afro Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 I'm incredibly nervous already. Saints have well and truly had our number in the two league meetings to date so far, but as the OP says, we've certainly turned a corner under Martindale. Two big games against Celtic before this one, you'd have to think if we can get at least one positive result out of those we'd have a good bounce going to Hampden. Is Brophy not cup-tied? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLIS Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 Brophy managed to get through on some rule apparently so he's available Honestly I'm shitting myself for this, think Saints will win it but maybe the nerves talking 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cptn Hooch Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 (edited) 19 minutes ago, ATLIS said: Brophy managed to get through on some rule apparently so he's available Not according to Brophy himself https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/eamonn-brophy-admits-st-mirren-23309814 Edited January 15, 2021 by Cptn Hooch 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLIS Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 2 minutes ago, Cptn Hooch said: Not according to Brophy himself https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/eamonn-brophy-admits-st-mirren-23309814 Paisley Daily Express Sport on Twitter: "Following confirmation from the club, Eamonn Brophy is eligible to play in St Mirren's upcoming League Cup tie with Livingston. He was unaware of this when we spoke to him, as were we of the exception to the rule (SPFL League Cup regulation 8.3). Good news for the Buddies! https://t.co/CvBn7RLh0v" / Twitter 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cptn Hooch Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 (edited) 17 minutes ago, ATLIS said: Paisley Daily Express Sport on Twitter: "Following confirmation from the club, Eamonn Brophy is eligible to play in St Mirren's upcoming League Cup tie with Livingston. He was unaware of this when we spoke to him, as were we of the exception to the rule (SPFL League Cup regulation 8.3). Good news for the Buddies! https://t.co/CvBn7RLh0v" / Twitter I don't understand that at all. What's the exception? The rule seems pretty cut and dry "No Club or club shall Play, or list as a named substitute, any Player or player who, in the same Season, has already played in a Match by entering the field of play whether in the starting eleven or by being used as a substitute by another Club or club in the Competition." ETA Never mind, just seen the rule change mentioned on the St mirren thread Edited January 15, 2021 by Cptn Hooch 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Shug Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 Jake Doyle Hayes being suspended for this is a massive blow for us. It’s no coincidence out form has improved ever since he came into the team. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Posted January 15, 2021 Author Share Posted January 15, 2021 Jake Doyle Hayes being suspended for this is a massive blow for us. It’s no coincidence out form has improved ever since he came into the team. That his a huge loss, never realised that. He scored the winner last time the sides met too. Guess it will be Cammy and Ethan in the middle then. Surely Foley or Flynn won’t be parachuted straight in the 11 from the cold... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenburn bud Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Put the smart money on Livi who are bang in form. St Mirren are massive underdogs given how utterly shite we’ve been since that Quarter final win over the Govan tribute act. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergie's no1 fan Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 That his a huge loss, never realised that. He scored the winner last time the sides met too. Guess it will be Cammy and Ethan in the middle then. Surely Foley or Flynn won’t be parachuted straight in the 11 from the cold...Ethan is suspended I'm sure, is Cammy suspended too?Very light in the middle of the park for next week if that's the case. Flynn has hardly kicked a ball in a year and Foley's legs looked finished in midfield. Not exactly the duo you want on the Hampden pitch against a really hard working team. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdinburghLivi Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 (edited) Seems like it will be too late notice at this point but the league should have tried to rearrange one of St. Mirren's outstanding games for the Wednesday so both teams are playing in advance of the semi-final. Edited January 17, 2021 by EdinburghLivi 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munoz Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 20 hours ago, EdinburghLivi said: Seems like it will be too late notice at this point but the league should have tried to rearrange one of St. Mirren's outstanding games for the Wednesday so both teams are playing in advance of the final. Can't see it making much difference tbh. St Johnstone had a midweek game against Utd, whereas we didn't play and they still looked fitter than us yesterday. The only thing you'll need to be wary of, are injuries or a straight red card. If we're to stand any chance in this game, we really will need to up our levels from our recent efforts. Difficult game but not impossible. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLIS Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 On 16/01/2021 at 20:11, EdinburghLivi said: Seems like it will be too late notice at this point but the league should have tried to rearrange one of St. Mirren's outstanding games for the Wednesday so both teams are playing in advance of the semi-final. Only fair way to do it. Should postpone this game IMO and play it at a later date 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lothiangamer Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 St Mirren have not won in 4 games 2 losses and 2 draws, not won since boxing day against Ross County, not scored many but not conceded many either could be a tight affair with a single goal winning it, ( Queue the 4-3 classic ) Livi being my choice, obviously, for the winning team. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coventry Saint Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Not really looking forward to this, tbh. Most awkward semi since I watched Brokeback Mountain with my dad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Stanton Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 11 minutes ago, Coventry Saint said: Not really looking forward to this, tbh. Most awkward semi since I watched Brokeback Mountain with my dad. Him or you? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergie's no1 fan Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 Nabbed from the Hibees thread. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZingaliMan Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 Cup games take care of themselves looking forward to this game . 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy boo Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 Have got the fear for this one. Not confident at all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZingaliMan Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 51 minutes ago, jimmy boo said: Have got the fear for this one. Not confident at all. Before the 2013 semi final Ross County beat us 4-1. Celtic were strolling along in the league but we beat them 3-2. 1987 we lost our league game before the semi. In 1959 Celtic gave us a tanking in the league before the semi final. We then beat Celtic 4-0 in the semi final. As I wrote cup games take care of themselves. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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