The Spoony Chop: A St Johnstone FC Podcast

Beauty and the Beast and the Pre-contract Agreement

Saints fought back from 2-0 down at half-time against Ayr United to win 4-2 and extend their lead at the top of the Championship to three points, once again. With more bodies than usual in the opposition box, Saints looked as dangerous as they have all season. So, with Morton the opponents on Saturday - and at the end of the week that news emerged of Josh McPake's pre-contract move to Hearts - will the Perth side keep faith with the changes that served them so well at Somerset Park?

The Control/Goals Conundrum

St Johnstone bossed possession and territory against Raith Rovers but could not find a way to goal. There was a disgruntled fan reaction to Saints' third goalless draw of the season at home, but was it justified? On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss the performance, its impact on the Championship title race, and whether it told us anything new about Saints' transfer window needs.

Stick together to avert a crisis

An ignominious Scottish Cup exit has turned a critical spotlight on St Johnstone, even though they are still top of the Championship. In this week’s Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson and Stuart Cosgrove get to the heart of the problems that need corrected and stress the need for unity when Raith Rovers come to town this weekend. 
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Lay off Tony Watt

After St Johnstone's disappointing loss to Partick Thistle in their top-of-the-Championship clash, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton assess what went wrong at Firhill, how many Thistle victories referee Don Robertson has overseen and why repeatedly booing Tony Watt might not be the best idea Saints fans have ever had.
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Tommy Turner's Moustache

St Johnstone successfully negotiated a tricky contest with Queen's Park to ensure they will face title rivals Partick Thistle with a six-point lead at the top of the Championship. What went well against the Spiders and what was not so good? Was the penalty decision in favour of Queen's the worst ever made at McDiarmid Park? And what lies in store at Firhill on Saturday?

The Game Before the Game

A sickening late Dunfermline equaliser robbed St Johnstone of the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Championship to five points. With Queen's Park next up at McDiarmid Park, what should Simo Valakari be doing with his team, which will be without Adama Sidibeh and Uche Ikpeazu? And how much pressure comes with the game before "the game" against Partick Thistle on November 22?

Adama's On Fire

St Johnstone picked up a comfortable three points against Airdrie thanks to Adama Sidibeh's best performance for the club. The Gambian striker notched a "perfect" hat trick to cap off a team performance that become more impressive as the game went on. Can he keep it up? Can Jonathan Svedberg further cement his place in the team? And can Saints find a "big brother" performance to see of Dunfermline at the weekend?

Winning Ways

After last week's loss at Arbroath - and having taken just two points from the last available nine - St Johnstone needed to get back on track. Partick Thistle's midweek win had seen them go level on points with Saints at the top of the table, but Simo Valakari's side strolled to a well-deserved 4-0 win over Greenock Morton. In doing so, they re-established a three-point cushion at the top of the table and, with Airdrie the next visitors to McDiarmid Park, they have a chance to stretch it.

Invincible No More

St Johnstone's first defeat of the league season has been dished out by Arbroath. And the Red Lichties were well worth their victory. So what went wrong for Saints at Gayfield? And how might Simo Valakri react ahead of Saturday's trip to Greenock? By which time Partick Thistle could have wiped out the Perth side's lead at the top of the table. Join Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton as they talk it all over.
 
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High Football IQ

Despite another 0-0 draw, this time with Ross County, St Johnstone's six-point lead at the top of the table remains intact. Ahead of the weekend trip to face Arbroath, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss a dominant display against the Staggies, albeit one that produced no goals, whether Saints have a problem with 'over-playing', Liam Smith's impact at right back and the Jamie Guallan/Adama Sidibeh conundrum.