This piece is an extract from yesterday's McDiarmid Memo newsletter, which is emailed out at 6pm every Thursday.
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A frustrating evening for Saints saw the club share the spoils with bottom-of-the-table Livingston in a drab 0-0 draw at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Wednesday. Here are three things I picked up from the Scottish Premiership clash…
Double injury blow?
Max Kucheriavyi and Tony Gallacher were both forced off against Livingston in a double blow for manager Craig Levein. Kucheriavyi especially has been impressive in recent weeks with an extended run in the team and he has been one of the team’s more creative figures in the final third. Levein is clearly a big fan of the Ukrainian youngster given his history with the midfielder and he certainly has been playing some of his best football at the club under the former Scotland manager. Max was substituted in the 41st minute after receiving treatment and was replaced by Graham Carey. Here’s hoping his knock isn’t too serious and he will be back fighting fit for the Dundee clash in the new year, as we all know he loves a goal against Tony Docherty’s side given his exploits earlier in the season. Gallacher has also enjoyed an extended run in the team in recent times and he has been a solid addition to the defensive line. The former Liverpool man is very much a defensive-first type of player, but he is starting to introduce an attacking side to his game that is a useful asset to the left side. He was taken off at half-time for Andy Considine, so it wasn’t clear if he was injured or not, but fingers crossed if it is an injury it is nothing too serious.
Defensive strength
One clear improvement since Craig Levein’s appointment has been St Johnstone’s ability to defend in matches. The current backline has cut out the schoolboy errors that were prominent in the early part of the season and we now look like a hard team to beat. Much of the club’s recent successes have been built around defensive stability and here’s hoping that continues over the course of the campaign. Livi provided an aerial threat to Saints at the Tony Macaroni Arena, but the defence relished the physical test. Captain Liam Gordon was again immense alongside the likes of Luke Robinson and James Brown as they bossed Joel Nouble, Bruce Anderson and co. It was a shame Robinson was denied a goal after his superb strike was ruled out for offside by VAR. Oludare Olufunwa also deserves a mention for his solid display, especially given his lack of game time in recent months.
Dan the man
Dan Phillips was back to his best for Saints at Livi. The central midfielder sets high standards, and he will admit himself that he was off the pace against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on December 23. The 22-year-old ended up being hooked against Killie as he failed to implement his usual control on proceedings - but Levein stuck with the Trinidad and Tobago internationalist for the visit of Livi. He clearly enjoyed the midfield battle and his use of possession was also impressive. Saints are still hoping to tie up the former Chelsea and Watford man on a new deal and fingers crossed they can get something over the line given his quality in the middle of the park. The midfielder will inevitably go on to bigger and better things at some point, but an extended period in Perth could be a wise option at this stage in his career.
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