The Real Saints may be a bit rusty after last week's lay off, but I like to think we'll be a bit fresher. Media pundits and football fans always feel the side they want/think will win are fresher after the layoff, whilst the opposition are always rusty.
One thing that could go against us, however, was the unfortunate layoff on Tuesday, when all the players were told to stay away from Love Street due to a flue bug which had been rumbling around for a few weeks. Hopefully this won't have had too much of an effect on who is able to play.
Allan Russell would have missed last week's game against Ross County with flu, but he should be able to play. Star striker Stewart Kean would also have been missing due to a stomach bug (wonder if it was the same one I Had? Would be a bit of a coincidence considering I was on the other side of Scotland), but he should also be fit to play against the team he rejected in the summer. Apart from that, Laurie Ellis will still be absent due to an ankle knock, whilst Mixu Paatelainen is out long term with a knee problem.
That latter injury is a shame and is the main reason for Saints poor form over the Christmas period. Mixu was a vital part of our good start to the season, but after picking up an injury he has rarely played, and has struggled when he did play. He'll be gutted about missing out on facing his former team, and will miss out on a match against another of his former sides, Hibs, next weekend. The good news is that fellow former Fake Saint Mark Reilly will be able to play, and hopefully he'll put in another good performance.
After signing what is known in technical terms as "loads" of players in the summer, the Fakes were at it again in the January transfer window, bringing in some players from SPL sides. The result of this is no wins since the end of December, so clearly these were all good signings.
Mind you, we all know what happens in these situations, so we can assume that tomorrow will see an away win.
One thing that could go against us, however, was the unfortunate layoff on Tuesday, when all the players were told to stay away from Love Street due to a flue bug which had been rumbling around for a few weeks. Hopefully this won't have had too much of an effect on who is able to play.
Allan Russell would have missed last week's game against Ross County with flu, but he should be able to play. Star striker Stewart Kean would also have been missing due to a stomach bug (wonder if it was the same one I Had? Would be a bit of a coincidence considering I was on the other side of Scotland), but he should also be fit to play against the team he rejected in the summer. Apart from that, Laurie Ellis will still be absent due to an ankle knock, whilst Mixu Paatelainen is out long term with a knee problem.
That latter injury is a shame and is the main reason for Saints poor form over the Christmas period. Mixu was a vital part of our good start to the season, but after picking up an injury he has rarely played, and has struggled when he did play. He'll be gutted about missing out on facing his former team, and will miss out on a match against another of his former sides, Hibs, next weekend. The good news is that fellow former Fake Saint Mark Reilly will be able to play, and hopefully he'll put in another good performance.
After signing what is known in technical terms as "loads" of players in the summer, the Fakes were at it again in the January transfer window, bringing in some players from SPL sides. The result of this is no wins since the end of December, so clearly these were all good signings.
Mind you, we all know what happens in these situations, so we can assume that tomorrow will see an away win.