XI v St Mirren

[Handsome_Devil]

Kelly; O’Donnell, Gallagher, Mugabi, Carroll; O’Hara, Campbell, Polworth; Cole, Watt and Hastie

Not what I'd have done but there are few good options these days....let's see if we get a much needed 'reaction'.

Subs: Morrison, Devine, Cornelius, Crawford, Seedorf, White, Grimshaw, McGinley, Maguire.

Not exactly an inspiring bench (when is it ever) but no Lamie or Chapman a small step in the right direction :-)

[texaco cup]

Before a ball is kicked my worry is Mugabe . He needs to learn when and how to make a tackle, thus reducing the chances of giving away needless free kicks or worse penalties. Hope he proves me wrong today and has an outstanding match along with the whole team

[Handsome_Devil]

1-1 draw.

We were the better team in the first half with a definite improvement. Watt missed yet another sitter but good finish from Cole.

The second half typified a team that hasn't won in ages - we had neither the courage to push for a second or belief we could defend it out. The penalty was soft but the equaliser coming so no real complaints.

Not a disaster but tonnes of work to be done, not least since Rangers and Aberdeen up next mean we'll likely be bottom going into the do-or-die in Dingwall...

[dasdeid]

Good first half. Controlled the play,. Played some nice stuff without carving out too many clear cut chances. Took one, couldnt press home our advantage by converting another and giving ourselves breathing space. Totally allowed the opposition back into it 2nd half. Made some dubious substitutions that didnt improve much. Lost a goal to a really dubious refereeing decision. Failed to win 3 points.

On the plus side, we did'nt capitulate. We actually seemed to react a little after the goal and finished strongly. Mugabi, Carroll, Polworth, O'Hara, Hastie, Cole all put in vastly improved performances. Plenty for Alexander to be encouraged about but plenty of scope for further improvement

Tony Watt continues to frustrate as although runs around produces very little regards goal attempts and assists .. his 1st half header inside 6yd box was a sitter If Tony Watt was better at finishing he would be playing at a far higher level than us and perhaps why moved on every club been at ... he's our McBurnie. He will not give us goals and a striker urgently required and pity missed out Brophy but understand why (Robbo exit)

[Handsome_Devil]

Brophy has scored two or three in nearly 20 games this season. It's an interesting gamble for St Mirren as - like we see with Watt - having a very good attacker who doesn't score goals works only if he has a partner who does or you get them from midfield.

If he gets himself back on track, he could potentially be a very good player - so in that regard I'd be happy had we got him. But in our current situation there's no way I'd have been splashing out on him.