2013-14 report card - St Johnstone

If only every game were a cup tie

8/10

LEAGUE: 6th, 53pts (2012-13 - 3rd, 56pts)
SCOTTISH CUP: Winners
LEAGUE CUP: Semi finals
MOST USED FIRST XI: Alan Mannus, Dave Mackay, Steven Anderson, Frazer Wright, Brian Easton, David Wotherspoon, Murray Davidson, Gary McDonald, Chris Millar, Nigel Hasselbaink, Stevie May

OVERVIEW: Given that the Perth Saints hardly have a big budget to work with, another top half finish was pretty decent work.  Of course, of far more significance was the club's first ever Scottish Cup triumph, which is the first trophy of significance (the lower divisions and Challenge Cup don't count!) in the club's history and means that 2013-14 will go down as arguably the best season in the club's history.  If only all the club's matches were in knockout competitions - they won nine and drew one of their twelve cup ties this season.  As in previous years, the team were more functional than stylish, but the emergence of young striker Stevie May was terrific to witness.

HIGH POINTS: That cup win, obviously - it'll be many aeons before that's topped, I think.  Aside from that, knocking Rosenborg out of the Europa League all the way back in July was pretty sensational.  In the league they thumped ICT, Motherwell and Dundee United at home this season.

LOW POINTS: The Saintees' worst performance of the season came at just about the worst possible time - a 4-0 hammering in the League Cup semi final against Aberdeen.  They at least got revenge at the same stage of the Scottish Cup.

STAR MAN: I love everything about May except his dodgy ponytail.  He has everything that a coach is looking for in a centre forward - pace, strength, a good touch, and the ability to score from anywhere in the final third.  Next season I can see him emulating his 27 goal tally for this campaign.

ONE FOR THE FUTURE: There wasn't much action for other young players this season, but Englishman Scott Brown took his opportunity with both hands late in the season, scoring against Celtic.  With Paddy Cregg leaving, he may see more action in central midfield next season.

WASTE OF SPACE: Rory Fallon until January, then Chris Iwelumo afterwards.  Both were signed purely as big strikers who could be brought off the bench in desperate circumstances, and both were in fact desperate.  Iwelumo never even got into a dangerous enough position to attempt to recreate his famous Scotland miss.

THE BOSS: Formerly Steve Lomas' assistant, Tommy Wright kept things ticking over nicely.  The league finish probably would have been better if his relatively small squad hadn't had to play as many as fifty matches in all competitions.  The signings of James Dunne, Lee Croft and Michael O'Halloran in January were all astute and, with his cup victory, there's no question that he's the right man in the dugout going forward.

PROSPECTS FOR NEXT SEASON: It's unlikely that St Johnstone will lose anyone they wanted to keep this summer, which obviously bodes well.  The retention of May, his strike partner Steven MacLean and outstanding centre back Steven Anderson is particularly pleasing.  Confidence should be high for next season, though another early Europa League start could be a hindrance later on.  Wright could do with a younger alternative to the aging Frazer Wright at centre-back, and perhaps a winger too.

FIRST TEAMERS DEFINITELY LEAVING: Tim Clancy, Patrick Cregg, James Dunne (end of loan), Nigel Hasselbaink, Chris Iwelumo

L.