Saints v Aberdeen Preview

Since we returned to the SPL in 2006, we have played Aberdeen eight times. In those games, we have scored just two goals and picked up just two points. It's a horrendous record - the only side we've picked up less points against is Celtic. The only side we've scored less goals against is Dunfermline (and they were only here for a season). Whether the fact they're managed by Gus MacPherson's old mate Jimmy Calderwood has created some sort of mental block is unclear, but it's a worrying statistic. Compare that to our solitary SPL season under Tom Hendrie - we beat Aberdeen twice, nearly drew with them and scored five goals. Admittedly they were pretty poor at the time, but we were hardly great.

Sadly, after Saturday there will be more emphasis on keeping things tight than looking to score a few goals. There have to be changes in defence. Mark Howard has to come back in for Chris Smith, who was very poor against Celtic and will probably be extremely low in confidence. There will be at least one change at the back with Jack Ross suspended and David Barron replacing him. But why don't we go further? Change to a back three. The only time we've gone 3-5-2 this season we've won - and it was against Rangers. Why on earth has this formation not been used more? It gives us a more balanced midfield and solves the problems of a lack of width. Sadly, it's unlikely to happen and if we're lucky we'll see a 4-4-2. If not, we'll see a 4-5-1 after the stunning success of that on Saturday.

Should we blessed with two strikers, it has to be Craig Dargo that starts. We look a far superior side when he plays, even if he doesn't score many goals. He has one of the best footballing brains at the club as anyone who saw us beat Motherwell in the cup will know. If we're serious about taking anything from this game, we have to start with him in a front two. Who starts in midfield is anyone's guess, but it'll be four central midfielders with Andy Dorman expected to do most of the forward running. Marc McAusland, Steven Robb, Stephen O'Donnell, Tom Brighton and Franco Miranda are all injured.

This will either be a comfortable Aberdeen win or a flukey one, depending on which side turns up. Calderwood's boys are a bit hit and miss, with some good results this season and some rather strange ones. Even without Saturday it would have been hard for us to win as they're sitting pretty in the league and looking good for Europe. Worryingly, they haven't won in five league games - we'll probably help them end that run as usual.

The danger man has to be Lee Miller, as the former Falkirk striker is the club's top scorer after a good season last year. He scored a hat-trick against us in his days with the Bairns and, if he saw Saturday's defending, will fancy bagging another treble. Sone Aluko's pace will no doubt cause us problems as usual, while Zander Diamond is a threat at set pieces.

I can't see us winning tomorrow night - it's just a case of whether we lose lightly or heavily. Sadly, after Saturday, I can see us getting hammered again.