Thread by @DCanalysis

St Johnstone Preview

How they are likely to line up.
Squad info
Strengths
How can United hurt them?

With St Johnstone playing LASK in Europe, they are likely to make changes on Sunday before their 2nd leg next week so trying to guess who their line up would be is difficult but they generally will play the same formation.

St Johnstone play either a 343 or a 352 system depending on opponent. If they want more control esp in the centre of the pitch they will adopt to a 352. They have a good fluid system where they are capable of switching between the two during games if required

When out of possession, They can drop players back to create a 541 formation if required. This can give more protection to the Wing backs and help the centre midfielders not be so stretched.

In possession, They will look to get their Wing backs as high as possible. This allows their AM's to come into central areas to connect with ST or CM's. These AM's are also able to drift wide.

Ali McCann is a massive player for them in the centre of the park. His energy and driving runs are crucial to their play. Normally alongside a Davidson or Craig who are willing to stay and allow McCann push higher.

In their back 3. Kerr and McCart are the "ball players" who will look to play passes which break lines. Gordon is more of a no nonsense type. Other options they have are Muller who is on loan from Millwall or James Brown. If needed they have played Booth or Rooney at CB as well.

At Wing back Rooney is their main driving force down the right with James Brown also being an option there. Booth or Devine play on the left. Both are steady and have the energy to get up and down the park.

St Johnstone have some dangerous attacking options. May, Kane, O'Halloran, Middleton, Wotherspoon and Hendry gives a good mix of pace, skill and running ability however they struggle to get a consistent goal scorer. None of their attackers got double figures last season.

As mentioned, St Johnstone's system is fluid so players like O'Halloran who likes to play as a winger is able to go wide to get 1v1 against full backs if he wants. Conway done this at times last season for them.

Most of their attacking players comes down the wings. Creating these types of angles and passing lanes. Movement to create space for each other and combination play can allow them to get in behind the opposition.

This is an example of how the system works but also caters for the individual. When battling for the ball, its a narrow front 3 but when in possession, players are able to drift wide to where they are best suited. This example is Conway.

Looking at the wide picture again. It also allows the AM/ST to make in to out runs in behind the full backs. Movement to create space.

The bonus for St Johnstone if they play with a no.10 is they can pick up positions like this in between the lines then play forward to the strikers. Wotherspoon is very good at doing this sort of thing. Runs from the likes of May or Kane can be difficult to deal with.

St Johnstone's defensive organisation is similar no matter what system they are playing. They generally press with a two with the third attacker dropping back slightly to help the midfield.

In this example, May and O'Halloran are pressing more with Wotherspoon backing them up. A straight pass into the midfielder is a trigger for McCann to step up and press.

This is very ball orientated, If the ball is on their side, they press if it's on the opposite side of the park, they will drop in. Look at far side player in these pictures. Tucked in to support their midfield

When they play a 352, They are more reserved in their pressing and look to set traps.

This gives St Johnstone an element of control as they have good coverage of the pitch and can prevent penetrating passes. However, when playing against Galatasaray, these lines are being broken easily by the quality outfit.

Good shape to begin with then before they know it. No pressure on the ball allows a quality pass through their midfield lines. Now Galatasaray are behind their midfield and on the attack in their final 3rd.

Quality players and good positioning were able to pick their way through St Johnstone's midfield. These are a few examples v Galatasaray. The gaps appear and get exploited.

In the domestic game, That level of quality isn't always there so they don't get penetrated as easily but it does happen. Motherwell done it for their equaliser a few weeks ago. Quality pass breaks the line. Watt drives forward then plays wide. Cross into Watt results in a goal.

So being able to break their midfield lines is key if we want to get a result. Mulgrew and Fuchs will be important for this as they have the ability to play these types of passes.

Another weakness St Johnstone have is when their Cb's are dragged out of position which opens space for runners that can be exploited.

So with United likely to continue with the 433 we've played in recent weeks. I think we will look to get our front 3 engaging with their back 3. This could be to drag them wider and open gaps.

I think we will try to get our Fb's onto their Wb's to almost create a 5v5 across their back line. Another option could be for our winger to stay wide to engage with the WB. This could give us a 2v1.

When defending, I think we will drop into a 4141. Wide players dealing with their Wb's. Matched up in the middle. DM being spare man in the centre protecting the defence. 4v3 at the back. Striker to press the side CB's to force long.

KEY FOR UNITED

High energy start similar to Rangers
Switches of play
Dealing with crosses (Rooney on Robson back post👀)
Players in central and Wide areas to help penetrate their midfield line.
Dealing with their wide movement and pace.

So there is my preview of St Johnstone. This will be difficult but we have to start quick against them after their European game (good result btw). If you have enjoyed reading this then feel free to give this a like or comment. Thank you