Claim OwnershipThe Spoony Chop: A St Johnstone FC Podcast
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The Courier’s sports writers and guests discuss the latest goings-on in Scottish football. But there’s no Celtic and Rangers obsession here — we focus on St Johnstone.
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In this week's episode, Stuart Cosgrove and Eric Nicolson discuss the St Johnstone head coach's decision to let two central midfielders leave and whether the Perth side will cope with a rejuvenated Airdrie.
St Johnstone got their statement signing, with Josh Fowler's arrival raising spirits amongst fans. But have transfer window arrivals and departures made Saints stronger? On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss January business, plus the repercussions of the 2-2 draw with title rivals Partick Thistle.
Adama Sidibeh's departure to Stockport County has been confirmed, with a six-figure fee banked in return. After a Sidibeh-less Saints lost at home to Dunfermline, how crucial is it that he is replaced? And if it means spending the money received from Stockport, is that simply what must be done? On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss Saints' need for a new striker, a poor performance against the Pars and the mounting pressure of Friday night's top of the Championship clash with Partick Thistle.
Stockport County have jumped to the head of the queue of Adama Sidibeh suitors. St Johnstone have already knocked back one bid from the EFL League One promotion chasers. Can - and should - they knock back further approaches too? On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss the pros and cons, along with the loan signing of Alfredo Agyeman from Falkirk, Bozo Mikulic's long-awaited return, Louis Lloyd's first Saints goal, KDM Evolution Trophy victory over Ross County, whether Simo Valakari was right to give his players a break in the aftermath and Saturday's Championship clash with Dunfermline.
St Johnstone’s last two games have been postponed but this has still been a big week for the Perth club. Stuart Cosgrove and Eric Nicolson discuss the head coach’s new contract and the implications of a defeat for title rivals, Partick Thistle.
St Johnstone's lead at the top of the Championship was preserved with a "job done well" New Year win over Arbroath. On this episode of the Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss the performance against the Lichties', whether Saints are now in a two-horse race for title with Partick Thistle and mounting interest in striker Adama Sidibeh from England. Will he stay or will he go in January?
St Johnstone maintained their five-point lead at the top of the Championship with a less than festive goalless draw in Dingwall. So how did Saints' final game of 2025 go down? And with the division's form team in Arbroath next up, how beneficial for the Perth side might the Lichties' personnel issues turn out to be?
Saints fought back from 2-0 down at half-time against Ayr United to win 4-2 and extend their lead at the top of the Championship to three points, once again. With more bodies than usual in the opposition box, Saints looked as dangerous as they have all season. So, with Morton the opponents on Saturday - and at the end of the week that news emerged of Josh McPake's pre-contract move to Hearts - will the Perth side keep faith with the changes that served them so well at Somerset Park?
St Johnstone bossed possession and territory against Raith Rovers but could not find a way to goal. There was a disgruntled fan reaction to Saints' third goalless draw of the season at home, but was it justified? On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss the performance, its impact on the Championship title race, and whether it told us anything new about Saints' transfer window needs.
An ignominious Scottish Cup exit has turned a critical spotlight on St Johnstone, even though they are still top of the Championship. In this week’s Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson and Stuart Cosgrove get to the heart of the problems that need corrected and stress the need for unity when Raith Rovers come to town this weekend.
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After St Johnstone's disappointing loss to Partick Thistle in their top-of-the-Championship clash, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton assess what went wrong at Firhill, how many Thistle victories referee Don Robertson has overseen and why repeatedly booing Tony Watt might not be the best idea Saints fans have ever had.
Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pack. Keep up with the latest on your local team or sport with the latest news, opinion, match reports and so much more. Subscribe today for only £3 per month. Available exclusively on The Courier. Pay only for the sports you love with this special offer. Sign up today at https://www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/?tpcc=spoony
St Johnstone successfully negotiated a tricky contest with Queen's Park to ensure they will face title rivals Partick Thistle with a six-point lead at the top of the Championship. What went well against the Spiders and what was not so good? Was the penalty decision in favour of Queen's the worst ever made at McDiarmid Park? And what lies in store at Firhill on Saturday?
A sickening late Dunfermline equaliser robbed St Johnstone of the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Championship to five points. With Queen's Park next up at McDiarmid Park, what should Simo Valakari be doing with his team, which will be without Adama Sidibeh and Uche Ikpeazu? And how much pressure comes with the game before "the game" against Partick Thistle on November 22?
St Johnstone picked up a comfortable three points against Airdrie thanks to Adama Sidibeh's best performance for the club. The Gambian striker notched a "perfect" hat trick to cap off a team performance that become more impressive as the game went on. Can he keep it up? Can Jonathan Svedberg further cement his place in the team? And can Saints find a "big brother" performance to see of Dunfermline at the weekend?
After last week's loss at Arbroath - and having taken just two points from the last available nine - St Johnstone needed to get back on track. Partick Thistle's midweek win had seen them go level on points with Saints at the top of the table, but Simo Valakari's side strolled to a well-deserved 4-0 win over Greenock Morton. In doing so, they re-established a three-point cushion at the top of the table and, with Airdrie the next visitors to McDiarmid Park, they have a chance to stretch it.
St Johnstone's first defeat of the league season has been dished out by Arbroath. And the Red Lichties were well worth their victory. So what went wrong for Saints at Gayfield? And how might Simo Valakri react ahead of Saturday's trip to Greenock? By which time Partick Thistle could have wiped out the Perth side's lead at the top of the table. Join Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton as they talk it all over.
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Despite another 0-0 draw, this time with Ross County, St Johnstone's six-point lead at the top of the table remains intact. Ahead of the weekend trip to face Arbroath, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss a dominant display against the Staggies, albeit one that produced no goals, whether Saints have a problem with 'over-playing', Liam Smith's impact at right back and the Jamie Guallan/Adama Sidibeh conundrum.
St Johnstone capped off an unbeaten first quarter of the Championship season with a goalless draw at home to Ayr United. It's a start to the season fans would have bitten their own hand off for ahead of the big kick-off. But did the performance against the Honest Men contain worrying portents? How should Simo Valakari look to freshen things up ahead of Ross County's visit? And who should step in at 'No. 9' off the back of Adama Sidibeh and Uche Ikpeazu's departures on international duty?
After another late Josh McPake goal sealed St Johnstone's third win in seven days, this time over Queen's Park, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton are back to discuss the latest goings on at McDiarmid Park. Saints remain unbeaten in the league and secure at the top of the table, but should a succession of increasingly close matches worry fans? Should Saints be looking to sign a 'No. 9' like Queen's Josh Fowler in January? And can the Perth side close out the first round of Championship fixtures without defeat, with Ayr United their final opponents?
St Johnstone made life difficult for themselves in midweek but now find themselves with an eight-point lead at the top of the table. Eric Nicolson and Stuart Cosgrove assess a game of extremes in Airdrie and ask – who is going to challenge the runaway league leaders?
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Disappointed you did not cover the other three Angus Clubs especially after Montrose and Forfar's great Betfred Cup results. Really enjoyed this podcast last season because you did at least chat for a few mins about all the Tayside Clubs but this shortened edition was not nearly as good - the Angus coverage was pretty much just the usual old Dick Campbell cliched comments which are tired and worn out now (and a bit lazy). Also found it odd that most of you said East Fife would win League 1 (presume because they beat United in the BC?!) .. almost as if you had forgotten Falkirk were in that league as you had paid little if any attention to League 1. No interesting chat about Montrose or Forfar's chances of play-off spot or of Brechin's plight in League 2. The coverage of the Dundee Clubs and St J is excellent but last season's podcasts were so much better with an extended chat about the broader Tayside football landscape. Would even suggest some coverage about the Junior and Women's g