SPL Report Card - St Johnstone

Pragmatic, but effective

MARKS OUT OF 10: 8

LEAGUE: 3rd, 56pts (2011-12 - 6th, 50pts)

SCOTTISH CUP: Fifth round
LEAGUE CUP: Quarter finals

MOST USED FIRST XI: Alan Mannus, Dave Mackay, Steven Anderson, Frazer Wright, Callum Davidson, Chris Millar, Murray Davidson, Liam Craig, Gregory Tade, Rowan Vine, Steven Maclean

OVERVIEW: Finishing in a European place is an impressive accolade; to manage it in two consecutive seasons is phenomenal for a club of this size.  Yet St. Johnstone managed to finish third in the league without very much fanfare at all.  They weren't at all spectacular, scoring more than two goals in only three matches.  But they were solid and well-organized, and their experienced squad seemed to have the knack for grinding out results.  In the end, they were very deserving of a top three finish.

HIGH POINTS: The Saints sparked their season off with a win over Celtic, which started a run of five straight victories.  A terrific finish to the season, with 10 points in the last 4 games, allowed the club to overhaul Inverness and Ross County.

LOW POINTS: It seems like a long time ago now, but a dreadful start, with just two points from the opening five games had Lomas looking very precarious. 

STAR MAN: Murray Davidson continues to improve every year, and this might have been the midfielder's best yet.  He has even become an aerial threat at set pieces.  It's just a shame that he's decided to move on this summer, probably to a Championship club.

ONE FOR THE FUTURE: None of the club's own under 21 players saw much action this season, but I'd expect to see Newcastle loanee Mehdi Abeid, a tricky and useful wide player, to develop into a very good player...though probably not in Perth.

WASTE OF SPACE: Craig Beattie was a hot commodity last summer after his excellent performances for Hearts, but failed to start a single match or score a goal before leaving in January as he struggled with injuries.

THE BOSS: I expect to see Steve Lomas linked with some clubs in the Championship or League One soon enough, given that he's done really well since taking over in November 2011.  The Northern Irishman doesn't send his side out to play aesthetically pleasing football, but I don't think there is a better drilled side in the SPL.  According to one pundit on BBC Sportsound, he doesn't have a great relationship with chairman Geoff Brown, which would increase the chances of him moving on in the near future.

PROSPECTS FOR NEXT SEASON: The loss of star midfielders Davidson and Liam Craig leaves the team brutally short of flair, even more so if Ross County's Richard Brittain reneges on his pre-contract or fails to produce his best form next term.  It may be time to refresh an ageing back line this summer, with Frazer Wright, Dave Mackay, Callum Davidson and Dave McCracken all over 30.  The one missing piece in the puzzle this season was a proven goalscorer, and if St Johnstone can find that, they can be expected to finish in the top six for a third consecutive season.

FIRST TEAMERS DEFINITELY LEAVING: Mehdi Abeid (end of loan), Jamie Adams, Liam Craig, Murray Davidson, Michael Doughty (end of loan), Gwion Edwards (end of loan), David McCracken, Jonny Tuffey

NOT IN THE MANAGER'S PLANS: none

UNLIKELY TO SIGN NEW DEALS: Rowan Vine

L.