St Mirren

[stokearab]

So the Hampden semi is a dream that died, Saturday becomes a very important match as we try to climb the league.

I want to see the side freshened up for this.
We need to be stronger, and less predictable. Too many players looked off it v Killie. Very tempted to say to Meekison and Niskanen here's your chance, show us what you've got. Tell Middleton Watt Behich etc it's just about using the full ability of the squad

Eriksson
Smith Edwards Graham
Freeman Levitt Meekison McGrathNiskanen
Fletcher Anaku

Keeps the same shape and the core of the side but gives 4 players their chance and still have strength on the bench with Watt McMann Djoum Middleton etc

There's a risk to those changes but imo there's a bigger risk not giving fresh players their chance.

Need a performance and a result.

[tHeArAb]

Need to ditch the 3-4-3 and go back to five across the midfield imo. St. Mirren will most likely play with a five man midfield and will dominate that area, much like Killie did in large parts yesterday. The problem with that is, we only have three wing backs and two of them were absolutely honking last night.

[offshore_arab83]

same team as sheep and hibs for me please

[shedka]

same team as sheep and hibs for me please

Agree, wouldn't be changing system or personnel much from that, a tough game either way but one we should be confident taking atleast a point from

[RAM1971]

I'm far from convinced by Niskanen. I can't fault him for effort. He often gets wired in like a terrier with a rat, but very little of what he does leads to anything. However, the same can be said about a few others, eg Watt on the wing.

[tHeArAb]

I'm far from convinced by Niskanen. I can't fault him for effort. He often gets wired in like a terrier with a rat, but very little of what he does leads to anything. However, the same can be said about a few others, eg Watt on the wing.

I think he does the defensive side of the wing back role fairly well. Aberdeen away last season for example, superb!! Like you say however, his end product is almost nil.

[stokearab]

same team as sheep and hibs for me please

Are you happy playing 2 FB's at CB though?
Would say definitely cost us v Killie. Teams will get wise to that pretty quickly. Surely Ross Graham has to come in as the minimum change?
It's tough, I understand the idea of playing a settled 11 and I won't be moaning if we do, but think Meekison adds creativity we've been missing with Levitt playing so far back.
If we go unchanged then get Djoum back there and get Levitt forward where he's far better.

[offshore_arab83]

Are you happy playing 2 FB's at CB though?
Would say definitely cost us v Killie. Teams will get wise to that pretty quickly. Surely Ross Graham has to come in as the minimum change?
It's tough, I understand the idea of playing a settled 11 and I won't be moaning if we do, but think Meekison adds creativity we've been missing with Levitt playing so far back.
If we go unchanged then get Djoum back there and get Levitt forward where he's far better.

its been working stokey so why change it?

meekison flatters to deceive IMO, Levitt plays forward more when Sibbald is playing along side him, Djoum - jurys oot and was a player who i didnt think we needed or was right for us.

[tHeArAb]

Definitely not the same eleven tomorrow. A few changes expected.

I'd be starting at the back, and also looking at the wing backs. Behich was absolutely awful midweek. Freeman not much better. Get back to the usual three in defence with five across the middle. Think he'll stick with his 3-4-3 however.

Keeper 👀
Edwards Mulgrew Graham
Smith McGrath Sibbald Levitt Niskanen
Watt Fletcher

[tHeArAb]

Mulgrew out with a recurrence of his thigh injury. Ah well.

Smith back to CH, Freeman in at wing back.