The Spoony Chop: A St Johnstone FC Podcast

Nicky Clark is Dundee United’s answer to Stephen Dobbie and is getting better with age

It’s a month when transfer ins and outs make the headlines.
But at Dundee United it was a man who has been a Tannadice for a few years grabbing the glory in midweek.
In this week’s Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson discuss a player who, like Stephen Dobbie, is maturing into an all-round forward with several good years left in him.
Also on the agenda are the baby steps St Johnstone and Dundee are taking towards potential Premiership safety, their new recruits and the next Dundee derby.

Winless streaks at Dundee United, Dundee and St Johnstone have managers feeling the pressure

This week, Eric Nicolson, Jim Spence and Sean Hamilton discuss the nine consecutive defeats that have sent St Johnstone to the bottom of the Premiership, the six-in-a-row that have Dundee hovering just above them - and the six losses on the spin that have seen United fall out of the top six.
Callum Davidson, James McPake and Tam Courts are feeling the pressure - but what can they do to ease it?

’Ballsy’ Dundee United signings, Nadir Ciftci’s ’hunger’ & ’Handsome Sean’ (w/ Sean Dillon & Ally Heather)

With Jim Spence busy studying for his motorbike driving test, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton are joined by special guests - and arguably the best Dundee United double act since Narey and Hegarty - Sean Dillon and Ally Heather.
The guys discuss United's 'ballsy' approach to the January transfer window, St Johnstone's capture of ex-Dillon Tannadice teammate Nadir Ciftci and the ongoing Leigh Griffiths saga at Dundee.
 

Dundee United, St Johnstone and Dundee January transfer deals and dilemmas

St Johnstone have hit the ground running in the January transfer window, as have Dundee United.
In this week's Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson discuss the business both clubs have concluded and the possible transformative effect strikers Nadir Ciftci and Tony Watt may have.
Possible high profile departures, Leigh Griffiths and Jason Cummings, dominate the Dundee agenda.
Have Kilmarnock effectively ended the Championship title race with the appointment of Derek McInnes?
And who is Dick Campbell trying to kid?

Might Jeando Fuchs ‘switch off’ at Dundee United as transfer speculation builds?

Jeando Fuchs is one of Dundee United’s key men but is there a danger of the midfielder “switching off” as speculation about his departure from Tannadice builds?
In this week’s Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Alan Temple and Eric Nicolson discuss his situation and the problem Calum Butcher has caused manager Tam Courts.
Dundee righting the wrong of their disastrous last game against Ross County, the merits of St Johnstone signing Jamie Walker and Raith Rovers’ title credentials are among the other topics on the agenda.

Dundee and St Johnstone provide sharp Dens Park contrast

The mood in the Dundee and St Johnstone camps couldn’t be more different after Wednesday night’s triumph for the Dark Blues and depressing defeat for the Perth men.
In this week’s Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson discuss whether the home side should be raising their sights and if the visitors can get to the January transfer window without serious damage being done.
Also on the agenda is Dundee United’s squad depth, or rather, the lack of it, and Tony Asghar’s statement.

Dundee United‘s new captain and some off-field politics at Tannadice

There has been the appointment of a new captain and a bit of off-field politics at Dundee United this week.
On the pitch, the Tangerines are now faced with a trip to play Ross County and manager Tam Courts is expecting a “frosty reception” in Dingwall.
Jim Spence and Eric Nicolson cover all the Tannadice talking points and assess a crossroads week for the other two Tayside Premiership clubs, St Johnstone and Dundee.
Also on the agenda are Arbroath’s promotion credentials and a feel good factor returning to Dunfermline just in time.

St Johnstone v Celtic preview, Dundee United’s new signing and Dunfermline’s new manager

St Johnstone are seeking to make it three cup finals in a row when they face Celtic at Hampden Park.
In this week’s Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson assess the Perth side’s chances, Callum Davidson’s team selection and the opposition weaknesses they can seek to exploit.
For Dundee United, there’s a new signing from Ghana, a game against Aberdeen and the success of former players at Scotland level to discuss.
John Hughes taking over at Dunfermline is also on the agenda.

Dunfermline’s managerial options and Dundee United’s changing power base

The next Dunfermline manager will be going straight into a high-pressure job of keeping the Pars in the Championship.
In this week’s Talking Football podcast Jim Spence, Alan Temple and Eric Nicolson assess the potential candidates and whether the club’s German owners will be pragmatic, take a risk, or find a middle road.
We also discuss the seriousness of their predicament, as well as the promotion credentials of Raith Rovers and Arbroath.
Also on the agenda are Dundee United’s latest off-field appointments, St Johnstone’s ability to grind out results and need for goals, and Dundee’s soon-to-be season-defining spell of fixtures.

Dundee United boss Tam Courts shows he is a fast learner

Tam Courts has added a new string to his managerial bow – showing he can learn from a mistake and sort it out quickly.
In this week’s Talking Football podcast, Jim Spence, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson discuss what the Dundee United boss got wrong against St Johnstone and why he should be commended for the way he responded.
And predictions are made for the game of the weekend at Tynecastle – Hearts v United.
Also on the agenda are St Johnstone’s second half issues, Dundee’s fixture list misfortune, the Dunfermline managerial dilemma and the return of Maurice Ross.