OxfordDon

Well, on the plus side, we finally look like a team.

Lineup announced:

Wigan fans are not happy.

Doesn't sound like I missed much.

Ash Taylor-Penalty

Technically that would be a schedule

Also includes paying off Glass & staff / bringing in Goodwin & staff i think? However, it does underline the necessity of ensuring a regular income stream from european football, as we are clearly spending with that in mind.

All that practice in constantly missing the goal from long range for us finally paying off then

The man to hate for this evening is Steven Mclean on VAR, his onfield bitch is Willie Collum. What could go wrong?

Choices such as the threshold for judging contact or handballs to award penalties, for example. Just listening to BBC discussing this, and they mention an interesting stat that highlights this - frequency of penalties following VAR implementation in England was 0.24 penalties a game. In Scotland so far it's double this at 0.58 a game.

I think Goodwin was blasted more for not seeming to have a plan B when it became clear his approach wasn't working and we were being ripped apart. Saints were all-out defence (and were solid at it) but in truth were lucky to win today, Sevco were camped in their half but were hugely wasteful in front of goal. Considine was (i think) MotM today, and its always nice to see him still playing well at this level.

VAR is assistive technology (providing frame-by-frame video replay from multiple angles and objectively measuring player or ball positions for offside or goalline decisions), being utilised by video assistant referees (looking at a telly). I don't disagree VAR has been badly implemented in football, and in my opinion the choices made in how it is being currently used in Scotland are highly debatable and risks turning into just two referees guessing instead of the usual one, which given the typical level of Scottish refereeing is like two blind men comparing sunsets. However, I do think simply dismissing this as the fault of "VAR" carries a risk of throwing the baby out with the bathwater - assistive technologies to support refereeing decisions have been integrated successfully into other sports for years, e.g. rugby union, tennis, cricket, and the benefits are definitely there.

Finishes 2-1 to saints. Considine was pivotal in defence.

There is nothing wrong with VAR the technology. There is, however, a lot wrong with how it is currently being implemented in Scottish football, and VAR (the technology) is in danger of becoming a scapegoat that deflects from the continuing ineptitude of the referees operating it.

St Johnstone showing us how its done. 2-0 against Sevco. An hour gone, 29% possession, 2 shots on target. 2 goals. Mental.

Twas a thing of beauty. Thank christ we got rid of that team of imposters from the first half.

Lovely.

Duk is proper entertainment, can't wait to seehim and Hayes back on the same pitch.

One to go

It's a great snapshot of correct and inocrrect use of VAR - offside & keeper off line, these are easily checked, clear cut, sensible uses of VAR. Duk's dive/penalty though, I'm still of the opinion that VAR should be used to check that there was a clear and obviou foul, and if not, it should not be awarded.

Genuinely don't know how we are in the lead. Also, didn't look like a penalty to me. But i'll take it

Just checking my opinion now, be with you shortly.

I had assumed we were already doing this - that surely can't be the same Hayes out on the pitch each time week in week out.

Typical Hibs, have to go one better