A Point Duly Noted

A Point Duly Noted

The talk on Monday had been about Peter Houston’s on field selection dilemmas, but by Tuesday morning it was Derek McInnes’ troubles being debated amongst Saints fans. Sammy Parkin, innocently clattered in Monday’s training, was ruled out for the year, Sammy was not supposed to start and Midgie is out for a few more games. With Mooner still to play a bounce game and Cad inexplicably sent to play for the U19s, options were tight; so tight that McInnes selected Jamie Adams. The big man, as expected, put in his usual sparkling shift and left most of us scratching our heads at his recent exclusion. Cleve also left us scratching our heads, this time in disbelief that he wasn’t hooked at half time. Mr McInnes needs to accept that I’m right and he’s wrong. Cleve is a diddy and doesn’t belong in the SPL, never mind at McDiarmid.

With Danny’s ankle showing no ill-effects from Inverness, it was standard issue at the back; Enckleman in goals and a back four of Mackay, Duberry, Anderson and Danny. In front of them Morris and Davidson were charged with midfield duties and Adams was given (or took up) the role of supporting midfielder, though he still showed his usual hunger and battling qualities – a number of United players will have knocks and sore bits this morning. The flanks saw Liam left and Cleve right with Sammy isolated up top.

Saints started the game in the best way possible. Never in the Derek McInnes era have we come out the traps with such energy and desire. Adams and Muzz were charging into tackles like men possessed whilst both full backs were fully committed to bringing play forward. Doobs and Ando kept the pressure on with strong balls into the box whenever possible. The well-supported visitors were on the ropes and never fully regained their composure in scrappy first half.

It’s fair to say that neither side created in the first half. Indeed the most likely winner was always gonna be the pitch. Enckleman in particular, gave the pitch no respect and again got himself in a muddle by refusing to take a touch. He needs to recognise which full back is on, take a touch and play a short pass to one of his defenders. I know it’s not always possible but he’s made the same errors in three consecutive home games. He surely knows the pitch is crap...

Dave Mackay had a frustrating game at right back. I think everyone has now come to realise that my statements about Cleve are true and he certainly hampers Cup Tie’s game. Nevertheless, there were a good few times when Dave should have made himself available, on the line, to allow Taylor the option of passing the ball back, but he simply wasn’t there. Of course, it’s not easy for Dave; most times Cleve will ignore him and simply gift possession to the opposition, but occasionally he will use help. Sometimes, Dave needs to assert himself more on the pitch. He’ll make a good manager in due course, but he needs to do the shouty stuff more often.

His opposite number was more concerned with defending than attacking, especially in the second half. David Goodwillie, who pulled the strings of the East Stand puppets to absolute perfection, moved to Danny’s area when he realised that Ando was gonna give him no chance. Happily for us, Danny Grainger also had the wee boy in his back pocket and those lovely green boots never got a sight at Enckleman’s similarly coloured outfit. Our awful shape, especially when pinned back in the second half, gave Danny very few options to play the ball out of defence and often he passed in hope, to the loud disgust of the ill-educated. Perhaps if the understood the game, they’d recognise that Del’s misguided line-up left us with a group of players standing together in the centre of the park.

Our centre halves continue to look solid. Ever since his lacklustre showing at Killie, Duberry has really come onto a game. Of course, he remains casual with the ball at his feet, but his strapping physique and Nando’s belly ensure that few folks face up to him when he’s in full flow. David Goodwillie actually bloused a shoulder charge on him midway through the first half. If he’s scared of a big heterosexual....

His partner in crime, seems apt given the opposition’s extra-curricular activities, is our player of the year. Steven Anderson, who so many fans would have released, is finally getting a chance to show what a great player he is. A victim of his own versatility, Ando has benefited from regular games and is surely in Craig Levein’s thoughts for the Brazil friendly. I can think of no better Scottish centre-half.

The midfield simply didn’t work against United. Yes they worked hard and yes they broke down United attacks, but their shape and positioning was poor all night long, indeed it deteriorated throughout the 90 minutes. It’s interesting that folk are telling me that he was right to start 4-5-1 but should have changed to 4-4-2?! Why’s that? What changed in the second half?

We should have started 4-4-2. It was the intention on Monday, so I don’t know why he deviated from the plan. Adams is too committed to a battle to support the front man, Murray simply doesn’t have the ability to link-up or score and Jody is hell-bent on becoming a defensive player in his old age.

As such, we had three players playing the same role albeit Adams did try to get into the box. This meant that the wide players, who were both very poor, had little in the way of support. I struggle to recall a one-two and the central guys must take some responsibility for the poor decisions made by Messrs Craig and Taylor.

That aside, the absolute blame rests with Del and having defended his performance against ICT, he got it both barrels last night. It’s simply not good enough to make such basic tactical errors. He spoke of trying to use our height at set plays, but few teams out-fight United and that plan seemed curious at best.

All the central midfielders played well, but Adams swash-buckling style will always make him my favourite. His timing of runs is impeccable, and his tenacity in the tackle is a joy to behold. His yellow card was a disgrace and Duberry’s Twitter comment was very subtle.

Jody, like Moon last year, needs to learn that the pitch won’t allow him to do the fancy stuff. Too many times he tried to turn a man of play a cute pass, when retaining possession would have been the better option. Perhaps, we should train on the Perth High School blaes to get him used to crappy bounces!

Murray, who had been deplorable all year, really stepped up a gear at Inverness and continued that form into the United game. He must be dropped when Mooner’s ready to return because two decent games in season are simply not enough, but last night he certainly did us proud. His tackle in the second half which preceded a “mazy dribble” was a pleasure to witness.

Liam Craig continues to infuriate me. Big changes in his personal circumstances during the off-season should have seen him kick on this season and win a lucrative contract away from McDiarmid Park, yet the former Falkirk man has flattered to deceive for most of the year. He could, indeed should, have scored the winner deep into the second half when he shot low from the left side of the penalty box. Had that gone in, we’d have won the game as Liam’s goals are almost always match-winners.

There’s not much to say about Cleve that hasn’t been said before. Although he did lack support at times, his effort, timing, ability, speed and brain are not suited to the SPL. He should have been encouraged to find a new club in January. JMW would have offered more last night, Swankie would have created chances.

Sammy should not have started. Del needs to stop gambling with players’ fitness levels. He struggled to shine and again disproved this nonsense about him being effective on his own. No man is an island.

May did not deserve to be dropped and, with Parkin’s injury, Peaso or Reynolds deserved a chance to partner the hairy, wee Newburghite. Two up front, with Jamie and Jody in midfield would have forced a better shape into us. Players are brought up in the classic 4-4-2 and instinctively know where to move and run.

When Del changed it for a 4-3-3, it was clear that our performance remained static despite introducing two great and fresh players. Peaso simply didn’t know where to play and that caused some confusion for the midfield.

Overall, a draw with a clean sheet is a respectable result. Trouble is, I have a fiver riding on us finishing ahead of the Arabs and had we played 4-4-2 from the start we just might have won that game and made my money a wee bit more secure. Perhaps Derek will take some comfort from that ;-)

Ibrox will be a battle and a defeat would see us with just one point from 9 going into a game against a newly resilient Hibernian. It’s an interesting time, leading up to Glebe Park.

Other points that need to be addressed:

Sam Parkin’s broken ankle is not to be confused with his recently documented ankle injuries. Players often play with niggles and many players receive regular medication using a variety of methods. We have three physio’s working with our players, all familiar faces. There are no concerns about the treatment received by our players.

The Under 19s, who were robbed by silly referee on Tuesday, play Kilmarnock on Friday at Tulloch. A victory will see us go top six. This is a huge achievement given that such as Vinnie, Lindsay and Reynolds have been, or are on loan. Additionally, Stevie May and Liam Caddis have missed several matches due to first team involvement. Hats off to all the boys.

On a similar vein, the club have appealed for a volunteer to cover the U19s. A combination of my stupid job and my pathetic attempts to win motor races preclude me from taking in many games. Hopefully, someone can step up to the mark. It would be good to recognise the achievements of these lads and reinforce the need for a reserve or U21 league. It’s tragic that so many good Scottish players are heading for the USA or the scrap heap. We need to start a movement.