The Spoony Chop: A St Johnstone FC Podcast

Statement Time

The final international break of the season is coming to an end and St Johnstone need points from their three pre-split games to give themselves a solid chance of escaping relegation. On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss St Johnstone's chances of claiming a "statement win" against either Hibs, Celtic or Dundee United before the split, how Simo Valakari might utilise his strikers at Easter Road and whether Uche Ikpeazu can do what once seemed unthinkable and play a part in how the campaign concludes.
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Thanks For Nothing, Dundee United

An unexpected Dundee victory over city rivals United saw the Dark Blues stretch their lead over St Johnstone to five points (plus five goals). The Perth side's Premiership safety hopes are still alive, but how far adrift is too far adrift? This week, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton ponder Saints' draw with Aberdeen, Zach Mitchell's emergence as a defensive 'Rolls-Royce' and whether any of the strikers on the books fancy making themselves a hero.
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Carey Joins Pantheon With Livi Wonder Strike

St Johnstone booked their place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals thanks to a Graham Carey wonder goal against Livingston. On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss where the Irishman's strike ranks amongst the all-time great Saints goals, a game of two halves at Livi, how the cup run could impact Premiership form and the club's decision to give three stands to Celtic at McDiarmid Park.
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Mak Kirk's 'Heading Head'

On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton assess a draw at Dens Park that keeps St Johnstone in touch with Dundee and look ahead to Monday's Scottish Cup quarter final with Livingston - and whether it's the right environment for a Benji Kimpioka comeback.
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Make or Break Time

After losing to Hearts at McDiarmid Park in a game that, in previous campaigns, would likely have been drawn, Saints face two potentially season-defining games in the space of three days. First up, Ross County visit McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night, before Saints head along the road to Dundee for a clash at Dens Park that could have a huge impact on how the rest of the season pans out. Join Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton as they discuss how Simo Valakari's side should approach the task in hand.
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Roll the Dice

A Saints team peppered with January recruits was turned over by an aggressive Kilmarnock side. Now, with three crucial games to come in the space of a week from Saturday, there is precious little room for error. How will Simo Valakari respond to his side's Rugby Park display and what is the minimum Saints can accept from their trio of clashes, against Hearts, Ross County and Dundee? Join Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton - fresh from a shoutout on the latest episode of the Football Cliches podcast - as the Spoony Chop delves deep into all things St Johnstone.
 
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Sidibeh and Saints Baffle the Pundits

St Johnstone booked their place in the Scottish Cup quarter finals with a 1-0 win over Hamilton Accies. Their reward is a trip to face Livingston. It took a late Adama Sidibeh goal to get the job done (despite television scepticism, he DEFINITELY meant it) but it was a game in which they enjoyed significant control. Saints' possession-based game seems to be leaving the pundits cold - so what is its value? Join Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton as they discuss this, debutant performances, plus a potentially significant weekend trip to Kilmarnock.
 
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St Johnstone's transfer window assessed

The winter transfer window has 'slammed' closed and Saints have welcomed eight new signings to the club. On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton rate the recruitment work done at McDiarmid Park, discuss a potentially huge win away to St Mirren and look ahead to the weekend's Scottish Cup clash with Hamilton Accies.
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Simo Valakari: Bed Remaker

Another week, another win over Motherwell, and St Johnstone are still standing in their battle against relegation. With owner and chairman Adam Webb in attendance, Saints' players, fans and manager enjoyed a moment of connection after their successful late fightback, achieved despite having only one centre-back on the pitch. Join Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton as they discuss a potentially huge triumph at McDiarmid Park, assess likely transfer activity and ponder Saints' chances against their 'kryptonite' weekend opponents St Mirren.

David Keltjens, we hardly knew ye

Join Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton for this week's Spoony Chop, which features - brace yourselves - discussion about a St Johnstone victory! One goal was enough for Saints to see off Motherwell in the Scottish Cup - and send the Well fans into meltdown. But can they replicate the combination of slickness and strength that did the job when the Steelmen return to McDiarmid on league duty?
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