St Mirren

[GUNBOAT]

Well deserved victory but yet again we conceded a terrible goal against 10 men and it changed the game from a comfortable 4-0 to a narrow 2-1.It was similar to the ST Johnstone game when again playing 10 men we conceded another needless goal which totally changed the flow of the game.

On both occasions its our centre half's who have the chance to put the ball in the stand but instead set up the goals for our opponents,ST Mirren were dead and buried at that point but we gave them a lifeline.We played some really good stuff at the start of the 2nd half and it would have been a travesty if we had finished with only a point.

[offshore_arab83]

Really needed that win today, thats a big result for us!

Just need to keep it going and hopefully add more faces soon

[Dreamsof83]

Was really pleasing to see some very entertaining football in the second half. Great interchange and the balance of Clark and Shankland looked really good. Chalmers and Sporle very excellent, and Butcher had his best game of the season. Still some negatives, obviously a poor mistake for the goal and first half was nervy.

Hopefully the confidence is carried forward now.

[GUNBOAT]

It was also good to see United winning the toss,playing down the slope 2nd half and the players believing they have that advantage.We were so much better after the break.

[Yeats 62]

much better football from us 2nd half, had a fair few chances too, really think we were coasting that until that bad goal conceded, Chalmers best game for Utd. St Mirren tactic seemed to be long throws into our box from any throw in our own half.

The problem does seem to be at the back. There are good players in there ,but I always get the fear, when as you say long balls are launched in to the box. Liam Smith mentioned in commentary that long throws are harder to defend than crosses.

I don't care. All I want is for us to be able to defend the obvious high ball in to the box, regardless where it comes from.

In saying that, I thought Benji did well at a few of those long chucks.

[Shedboy1971]

What is dont get is why always against St Mirren (and some other west coast teams) we get hammered elbowed and rearely do we get anything - two bookings for time wasrting and they got away with a lot. I was surprised ref sent tait off just because that was the nature of game ignoring these things.

horrible team and next and even horribler team (aye its a word and im copyrighting it).

2nd half was good and Sporle is our short term answer on the left - chalmers on right was excellent too. Good win a lot of good things (LOA scoring) and a few worries but a good response today.

[JUSTaway]

Siegrist been excellent this season, still has his moments from crosses but in comparison to his first season he has improved in that aspect greatly. A couple of times in the game we struggled with routine punts down our middle, goal was comedy stuff. Thought Shankland, Spolre and chalmers showed some nice link up, but Clark was a bit anon, we really could do with bit of physical presence up their to make it stick and give us a different kind of threat.

[Yeats 62]

Siegrist been excellent this season, still has his moments from crosses but in comparison to his first season he has improved in that aspect greatly. A couple of times in the game we struggled with routine punts down our middle, goal was comedy stuff. Thought Shankland, Spolre and chalmers showed some nice link up, but Clark was a bit anon, we really could do with bit of physical presence up their to make it stick and give us a different kind of threat.

Totally agree. I really like Clark. He is good in the air, lays off great, and can finish when given the chance. But... there seems to be too many games when you would be forgiven for not knowing he is actually playing. Shame really, there is a great player in there. Wish he could take a wee leaf out his dads book.

[LSArab]

Clark is important and he seems to have a great understanding with Shankland. Agreed though he doesn’t impose himself on games

Benji was immense and has been excellent in making step up.

Defence is where we are shaky and need reinforcements

Chalmers best game and good to see Declan come on

Harkes and butcher solid

Sporle was looking really good and took goal with lot of quality and calmness

Shankland is incredible. Any half chance and he just knows where goal is

Overall the team were well organised. Start of second half we showed what we can do and it was brilliant

We could have done with the third when it was due. Conceded the silly goal but ultimately managed to get back control of the ball and see the match out

A very important 3 points

Onwards and upwards

Would be nice to follow up with win against Hamilton - I feel we still owe them one from that playoff and I don’t like them and their plastic pitch stealing a place in the top league anyway

[Dreamsof83]

Personally think that is a bit harsh on Clark. He does an awful lot of selfless work, is probably our best back to goal forward and is integral to Shankland's game. If you watch specifically what he does, then you would be surprised how important he is. No coincidence our best attacking performances have been when both Clark and Shankland were on the pitch.

In my view we could actually be worse with a physical presence up front. Lumping the ball up like St Mirren/playing too direct compared with trying to work through the lines like we did so well (at times) today. Agree we need more numbers in the attacking positions but think we have a good two already to build round and should be focusing on developing the good parts of our game today