Last Season
Oh, by the way, I
doubt you will have noticed but St Johnstone, yeah the Super Js, they are good
now. Last season they snuck up on the European places like Solid Snake in Metal
Gear Solid and left ICT saying, “huh, what was that?”
That may come across
as patronising to Saints fans but I mean to be anything but. It was just the
glaring lack of media attention during the season, especially in the midst of
their late surge to third. The papers, the radio and dare I say our own Terrace
Podcast just got so caught up in the highland battle for Europe and
Motherwell’s dominance that we did not see Steve Lomas’ functional, structured,
hard to beat St Johnstone picking up point after point. They won so many games
last season by the odd goal which in a league so tight was a great trait to
possess. They also got off to a horrible start last season, not winning till
their sixth game, in true Scottish football fashion, that came against Celtic.
I felt last season they had too many strikers vying for positions but in the
end it worked out perfectly with different forwards finding form at different
times in the season. Plus unlike teams like Hibs and Aberdeen they were able to
spread goals throughout the team with Rowan Vine, Liam Craig, Nigel Hasselbaink, Gregory Tade, Murray Davidson and Steven MacLean all scoring seven or
eight goals each, furthermore the ever dependable Dave MacKay found the net
three times. Craig Beattie did not. Overall as a team they were not the most prolific, particularly compared with those around them in the table, but the central defence partnership off Frazer Wright and Steven Anderson showed
itself to be one of the safest, most dependable in the SPL.
Summer Activity
I have to say on
paper, St Johnstone seemed to have weakened significantly, losing important
players like Vine and Craig to rivals Hibs, and in one of the more surprising
deals of the summer Gregory Tade has managed to blag a contract at Cluj (?).
Tade was tremendous at bringing creative, goalscoring midfielders and wingers
like the aforementioned Craig, Vine and
Murray Davidson in to the last third were they could do damage to opposition
defences both on the ground and in the air. Not the most stylish of players
Tade, but I feel St Johnstone were at their best with him in the team, they
would be able to press teams and hold them in deep areas which meant goals obviously
but in addition to this meant teams would find it hard to have long,
concentrated pressure in the Perth side’s half.
Geoff Brown and Rod
Petrie will be sick of the sight of each other – although they may find they have
a lot in common after Brown complained about the cost of Europe
last season – as they negotiated again for David Wotherspoon. He has got off to
a tremendous start within St Johnstone’s main summer activity, disposing of
Rosenborg, setting up the winner in Norway and if he can finally realise
his potential I fear the Super Js may have a player on their hands. Tommy
Wright has also brought in ex Aberdeen midfield
man Gary MacDonald and Dundee’s full back
Brian Easton as well as pulling off what could be the coup of the summer in
gaining Murray Davidson’s signature for another year. The first two are not deals
to make the fans salivate but I will refrain from passing judgement as Tommy
Wright seems to be doing quite alright at the moment.
Manager
Tommy Wright was Steve
Lomas’s assistant last season and was given the gig full time after Lomas left
to work with Danny Dyer’s main foes, Millwall. In fairness he does not have
much of coaching, managing background, before St Johnstone he coached in Northern Ireland.
But despite this apparent lack of experience he seems a very logical step,
giving continuity to the system which was so successful last season and meaning
an easy transition for the core of the squad. I have not seen St Johnstone but
from what I have read about the Europa League qualifiers is he has not changed
much but he may well want to implement a few of his own ideas when he comes up
against more modest opposition. Two away wins in Europe
is an exceptional start at any club on the continent.
Key Player
Murray Davidson – Before
his return this would have been a difficult choice. Alan Mannus and the players
directly in front of him would have been vying for the title. As I have stated
numerous times on the podcast I am a huge fan, along with the rest of the gang, of Dave Mackay. He is such a solid full back who also has great set piece
delivery as an extra string to his bow. However, the return of Davidson cannot
be underestimated. Easily one of the most complete players in the league, who
last season added goals to his repertoire, which he has threatened through his
aerial ability for years. Coming back is a very brave and sensible decision by
the former Livingston man who will surely get
the big move he deserves if he can continue where he left off last season.
Projection
St Johnstone this season are a pundit’s and journalist’s nightmare. It is very difficult to predict where they are headed. Their start in Europe is a indicator but it would be foolish to read to
much in to it. You have to expect Wright will make some changes in style and
how that manifests itself will have a baring on how successful the club can be.
The feel good factor and big crowds may mean a strong start but how long that
continues in such a competitive league is anyone’s guess.
If Weatherspoon can replace Craig’s goals and creativity and Stevie May can be
even half as prolific as he was in the Championship last term then a return to Europe may not be out of the question. Another bonus in
this well oiled machine would be wee Nigel Hasselbaink finding form that was
more than a flash in the pan to arguably earn a new contract.
Fan Opinion
“Stop the season now! Seriously just stop it! Never before have St Johnstone fans witnessed their team get off to such a good start and the SPFL hasn’t even started yet! Knocking Rosenborg out of the Europa League, followed by a stunning 1-0 win over FC Minsk has sent Saints fans into dreamland. Hopefully we finish the game off against FC Minsk and then we are in the draw alongside giants such as Fiorentina and Spurs! Not bad for a wee team from Perth!
In regards to the upcoming season, Saints fans are optimistic. We have a settled back four and in my opinion the best goalkeeper in the league in Alan Mannus. David Wotherspoon is already looking like a shrewd acquisition in the midfield and fans were delighted to see Murray Davidson sign a new one year deal.
Up front, it’s a big season for Stevie May. He has been a goal scoring machine in the lower leagues with Alloa and Hamilton and all the signs point to him having a good season for the club.
Overall, the club looks well placed to build on our recent successes. Hopefully our European adventure can continue into the winter months and perhaps, just perhaps the club might make either the League or Scottish cup final! ”
Verdict
There is little doubt that the squad looks weaker than last year so retaining a spot in Europe is only a stretch too far. They should definitely be in a mix for a top six place and luck with injuries should see to that occurring.
Calum: 7th
Craig F: 7th
Craig T: 3rd
Joel: 5th
Tony: 5th
If you have enjoyed the blogs then you must check out the podcast. The latest episode was called Celtic’s Trojan Horse (Scottish Premiership Preview).