ST JOHNSTONE
LAST SEASON: 3rd, 56 points
NOTABLE INS: Steve Banks (Dundee United), Brian Easton (Dundee), Dylan Easton (Berwick Rangers), Rory Fallon (Aberdeen), Gary McDonald (Morecambe), David Wotherspoon (Hibernian)
NOTABLE OUTS: Liam Craig (Hibernian), Gregory Tade (CFR Cluj), Jonny Tuffey (Linfield, free), Rowan Vine (Hibernian), Mehdi Abeid (Newcastle United, end of loan), Michael Doughty (Queens Park Rangers, end of loan), Jamie Adams, David McCracken
LAST SEASON'S BEST XI (departed players crossed out): Mannus, Mackay, Wright, Anderson, C. Davidson, Millar, M. Davidson,
THE SQUAD (u-21 players in italics)
Goalkeepers: Steve Banks, Alan Mannus
Defenders: Steven Anderson, Callum Davidson, Brian Easton, Dave Mackay, Gary Miller, Tam Scobbie, Frazer Wright
Midfielders: Liam Caddis, Patrick Cregg, Murray Davidson, Gwion Edwards, Gary McDonald, Chris Millar, David Robertson, David Wotherspoon
Forwards: Dylan Easton, Rory Fallon, Nigel Hasselbaink, Steven MacLean, Stevie May
IF HE GETS INJURED, THEY'RE SCREWED: Outside of Perth, the exploits of ALAN MANNUS went largely under the radar last season, but the shotstopper had a tremendous campaign and was the main reason for the stinginess of the Perth Saints defence.
STAR OF THE FUTURE? He's banged in loads of goals in loan spells at Alloa and Hamilton over the last two seasons - will STEVIE MAY get the chance to do the same for his parent club?
THE SEASON AHEAD: One swallow may not make a summer, but victory over Rosenborg quickly removed any doubts about new coach Tommy Wright's abilities. Add in the unexpected decision of Murray Davidson to return for another year and there's plenty of reason for optimism in Perth. Whilst the departures of Liam Craig and Gregory Tade were a shame, the latter is replaceable and the former's exit will at least partly be covered by the arrival from Hibs of David Wotherspoon. Davidson aside, there aren't many stand outs in this squad, but that didn't hold them back during the last two seasons. They don't score all that many goals, but they concede so few that often one or two is enough to win games.
THE BEST XI?
Callum Davidson's playing commitments will reduce after he became the new assistant manager, so Scobbie and Easton will fight over the left back role. Anderson and Wright have an excellent partnership and veteran Mackay is as solid a right-back as you'll find in this league. I wasn't convinced by McDonald's arrival and Murray Davidson is a huge upgrade over him. Cregg is the holding player. Millar can play wide or through the centre but Wotherspoon is a more attacking option on the right. Perhaps Edwards will get his chance on the elft, but maybe Hasselbaink will be used on that flank. Maclean will play up front either on his own or occasionally partnered by May or Fallon in a 4-4-2.
THE BOSS: The club opted for continuity by appointing Lomas' assistant, Tommy Wright, as their fourth manager in six years. He'll be doing well to emulate the success of his predecessors, who all went on to bigger things, but he got off to a flyer with that Europa League result. The former Northern Ireland goalkeeper has previous managerial experience in his native country. It's unlikely there will be big changes to the formation and style of last season, at least initially.
CLICHE YOU'RE MOST LIKELY TO HEAR: "Difficult to break down"
PREDICTION: The last two seasons, St. Johnstone have done far better than I expected. This time around, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt. Another top six finish beckons, possibly as high as FOURTH.
L.
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