St.Johnstone now officially own the copyright for the script of footballing frustration. Again today, despite much possession, Saint’s efforts were nullified by a 25 yard, 28th minute volley by Raith player manager Antonio Calderon. There is a script that hangs over this team. Dominate the opening stages of the first period, and then lose a goal before half time. From there lose all confidence, creation and then the match.
Ironically, the first 28 minutes witnessed a fresher looking Saints side. They did penetrate the opposition goal mouth perhaps more than the script legislated for, but failed to deliver the final punch to breach the Raith goalline.
Despite, some good play in midfield early on, Saints seemed able to cross from either flank. Yet all the headers were either wide or straight at the keeper Gonzalez. As the game went on, the team became more ineffectual and unaware how to attack. There was little movement off the ball and any ability to create diminshed. Only some individual play by Parker resulted in a Saints shot at goal.
At Cuthberts end, the Saint’s defence periodically would exhibit their Achilles heel, lending encouragement to the Raith attack by gifting them possession after sloppy play. This only, disrupted and undermined attempts to push forward as on a handful of occasions the ball was lost.
Within one minute of play, Saints won a corner down the right. However, the resultant cross was easily claimed by the keeper. But when was the last time Saints scored from a corner? Despite the physical team this year, Saints never look threatening from such set pieces. This afternoon, Saints had 7 corners to Raith’s 4, but none of which seemed to put them under much pressure.
In the ninth and eleventh minutes, Maxwell and Dods were slack with their passing along the back. Only for Malone and Robertson to sweep up the mess. In the thirteenth minute, Darren Dods, attacking received a clearance on the edge of the box after a long throw from the right. With memories still fresh of the Brechin game, all were optimistic but this time his volley flew high into the empty stand behind. In the 19th minute, a Reilly free kick from the left was flicked on by Maxwell, but straight at the keeper. Rot creeped in again in the 21st minute, Maxwell again was imprecise with his distribution along the back. Robertson was forced to throw himself at Sutton as he wound up for goal. The ball broke to Calderon, but he dragged his shot wide right.
In the 22nd minute, Saints pressurised the Raith keeper and won back possession. The ball was passed wide to Malone, but cross from the left was headed over by Donnelly. Two minutes later, and Parker was sharp down the left but his left footed cross was too long for Donnelly and Mixu. More crosses followed from the left but this time Mixu’s powerful header was anticipated by the keeper.
Saints paid for the missed chances, when a poor free kick was headed clear by Bernard on the edge of the box, only to fall to Calderon. The player manager controlled, and then released a lobbing volley into Cuthbert’s left hand corner. Saints were now in the familiar position of being behind to “lesser” opposition.
Three minutes later and Raith could have extended their lead. In a three on two situation, both Maxwell and Robertson closed down Sutton who then elected to shoot from 20 yards despite Blackadder being free in the box. The following minute saw more good play by Parker, but again Mixu’s header was directed straight at the keeper.
The 34th minute saw Patino’s powerful header from the corner fly over the bar. At the other end Malone headed over from Robertson’s cross on the right in the 37th minute. A minute later it was Bernard’s turn to head wide from Malone’s cross.
Two minutes before half time, and Saints hit the upright. M. Robertson was fouled on the right, and despite the cross looking to fall behind Maxwell, he managed to turn it goalwards, but sadly it hit the post. Then just before half time, Parker had a left footed curling effort fly over the top left hand corner, after he beat Stanic coming off the right.
The second half started very poorly for Saints. They seemed to have lost any creativity, and Stark surprised all by substituting Donnelly after 62 minutes with McLaughlin. Four minutes into his arrival on the pitch, and McLaughlin won a free kick, but crossed poorly straight into the wall. His arrival did result in Saints occasionally aborting the predictable Mixu tactic. In 65 and 67 minutes when Saints did pass, they were rewarded with corners. Yet, the corners failed to exert any pressure on Raith. After 76 minutes, Stark surprised again, by withdrawing Bernard for Baxter. But, Raith were now content to exhibit their continental time wasting methods, which upset Mark Robertson who in the space of six minutes received two cards for strong challenges. Malone, also required to be withdrawn by Mixu as he too became frustrated by the afternoon.
With little time remaining Parker had an excellent volley from the right edge of the box hit the bar, after a Mixu flick. By now, with Saints down to ten men, it was all over. Perhaps it was over as soon as Raith scored. They had further opportunities as ten men Saints opened up. Calderon had a free header, but sent it over in 85 minutes, and Stanic had time in the box, but his effort was well blocked by Baxter.
What a frustrating afternoon. So where does it all go wrong for the supposed favourites? Lack of form by players? Poor tactics? No creativity? Poor management? A negative thinking board? The inevitable requests for Stark to leave, echoed round McDiarmid again, as Saints look off the pace, and now slip to seventh in the league.
Already this season, despite it only being September, the fans watching from the sidelines have been subjected to turmoil . Perhaps the only highlights so far, have been Parker, Malone and J. Robertson. The excitement of the arrival of Mixu, Bernard and Donnelly, as of yet have not been justified.
Saints have a chance to turn things round against Hamilton on Tuesday. Saturday was a good turnout from the home support, but how many will return on Tuesday night?? Stark is facing a tough week ahead after the team has won ony one of the last four home games and with a total of four victories out of ten games played. The pre-season touted the Falkirk Saints games to be the title deciders, but not at this rate. I certainly did not see queues of fans outside the ground today, at the moment next week could be pure punishment for any Saints fan.
It is clear that a great amount of work is required, but what is the answer? Is there a quick fix? Alter the tactics or change the manager? Already there is little left of the management team. Billy has no assistant, no proven coaches, and one coach who sits in the stand with the rest of the injured team. Weir allegedly remains in the stand because the players do not like him shouting at them! Is that not what a coach should be doing, helping the manager organise all on the pitch?
We all now wait on Tuesday, we wait on the expected changes as so far Stark’s eleven has yet to convince.
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