Time up for the two Billys

Last updated : 06 October 2002 By
A year ago, most Saints fans admitted that Sandy Clark's time had come and gone. Fair enough, a triumphant 1998-99 campaign, using a squad put in place by Paul Sturrock, had lifted expectations beyond the usual 'yo-yo club' status enjoyed by Saints for decades.

However the good times were confined firmy to the past and a sequence of defeats after our European excursion put the heat on Sandy very quickly. His dismantling of the Saints squad - hastened by rising wage demands and the freedom of Bosman - and subsequent replacement with players from the cheaper end of the market, ensured that Saints were back to their traditional 'avoid relegation' ways.

Things went from bad to worse for Clark though and for most fans, the final nail in his Saints career was the signing of Darren Jackson and Willie Falconer, players latterly finding Division One a tough enough assignment. A run of tame defeats, culminating in a 4-0 humping at Easter Road, prompted Ian Dewar to hit the nuclear button just over a year ago.

In the two following weeks Saints were constantly linked to Tommy Burns and even on the day Saints were announcing their new manager, most of the press had switched their predictions to Inverness manager Steve Paterson. As usual Saints called everyone's bluff, unveiling former Celtic assistant Billy Stark, appointed on the recommendation of number-one target Burns.

Stark talked a good game to begin with, vowing to take stock before making any huge changes. However in his first game Stark unlocked the potential of Paul Hartley, freeing him from the rigid role given to him by Clark. Other players looked like blossoming where they had hidden from Clark in previous games, and Saints looked like a different side - without any significant recovery in terms of results.

However the honeymoon didn't last and despite shelling out for loan stars Mark Lynch and Alan Miller from the Premiership, Saints were still rooted to the bottom - and looking ever more stranded. Only the terrible Hibs run under Franck Sauzee lit up the end of the tunnel.

Come Easter, Saints were heading for Easter Road in a showdown that would turn each club's season. Saints were on a high, having disposed of third-placed Livingston 3-0 the week before - and Hibs were going into their first game under Bobby Williamson having dispensed with manager-from-hell Sauzee. Williamson had enjoyed an international weekend to get to know his players and galvanised them into a strong, fired-up unit which calmly disposed of Saints before the half-time whistle had even sounded. Our season was over at that point.

Given that Stark had from March until August to prepare for the undoubted rigours of the Bells League, he didn't make any immediate signings. Saints did start to get rid of older, more expensive players - finishing the season with the likes of Manny Panther in the first team - but little changed on the park.

Pre-season brought a run of fairly impressive wins, which were carried through to the opener against St Mirren - and a comfortable 2-0 away win at one of the promotion favourites. Saints fans were full of optimism. Even the hard-to-please St Mirren fans gushed over our polished performance.

Sadly, that optimism has turned to outright despair after a run of league matches which has seen us manage only five futher goals in the league. We have gone backwards as a team, plumbing the depths of a loss at Brechin City and struggling to beat old nemesis Stranraer in the CIS Cup.

The team are not cohesive on the pitch, don't seem to be able to pass between each other, and couldn't score in the proverbial brothel (with the proverbial cheque book). Even more frustrating is the lack of encouragement shown by the two men in charge.

As first team coach Billy Kirkwood has presided over the slump in form which has lasted the best part of two years - since the mid-season calamities suffered by Sandy Clark from late 2000 onwards. His ranting performances in charge of the Under-21 side have made that team look completely demoralised, and the lack of U-21 players challenging for the first team at the moment tells its own story.

Stark arrived with good ideas for the squad, training methods and the club in general - but for whatever reason has made absolutely no difference after twelve full months in charge. As someone pointed out after the game today, Saints play like the Celtic side of the mid 1990's - the best players in the league, but without the spirit and passion to win anything.

At this time Saints need a manager who can stir the passions both of the players and the fans. The club needs support from the stands but the current climate (no goals and defensive football) won't tempt many armchair fans back to their rightful seats in McDiarmid Park.

While Saints count their losses and possibly consider the cost of yet another replacement management team - as well as the cost of shifting the old one - they should consider the cost of retaining their services even longer. We are staring at a long holiday in Division One and that would cripple the club for a long time to come.

It's time to make changes. ASAP.