The Spoony Chop: A St Johnstone FC Podcast

St Johnstone were without both of the regular centre backs in Aberdeen, switched to a makeshift central defensive trio and left Pittodrie with a win. Simo Valakari branded the performance as a 'masterclass' in control without the ball. How right was he? And with Cheick Diabate set to return against Dundee United, what might the Saints team look like at the weekend?

Premiership football is back - and St Johnstone face Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday. The big question for Simo Valakari revolves around his defence. With Zach Mitchell out for the season and Cheick Diabate suspended, how will Saints look at the back? Could Valakari opt for a change of shape in the Granite City, or is Bozo Mikulic ready to slot into a back four next to Dan Finlayson? On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss the trip to face the Dons and debate the merits - or otherwise - of Frazer Wright's viral Tennent's Sixes challenge against Dundee United.

St Johnstone entered the extended international break off the back of a heartening draw with Falkirk, achieved despite playing most of the second half with 10 men. But it could prove costly. How serious is Zach Mitchell's injury? What will Simo Valakari do upon the return to action if both he and Cheick Diabate (who will be suspended) are missing? And what do we want to see from Saints when the Premiership resumes?

St Johnstone performed admirably in defeat to Celtic. But what did the performance tell us about Simo Valakari's side. And who impressed in particular? On this week's 'Spoony Chop', Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton unpack the loss to the Hoops and look ahead to the weekend's meeting with Falkirk.

St Johnstone enjoyed a four-point week thanks to a draw with Dundee and a win over Hibs. What did those two performances tell us about Saints' Premiership credentials? And what might Simo Valakari's approach be to the visit of Celtic to McDiarmid Park? Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton ponder a pleasing week in the latest 'Spoony Chop', the importance of centre-backs to Saints' system and the Perth side's youth development output.

St Johnstone gave a good account of themselves in defeat to Hearts, turning in a second half performance that has drawn admiration. But as in previous Premiership matches, a Saints mistake resulted in a goal for the opposition. On this week's 'Spoony Chop', Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss the defeat at Tynecastle, Wednesday's trip to face Dundee and what's still needed before the transfer window shuts.

After a three-week lay-off, St Johnstone are back in action this coming weekend against Hearts. After a slow start with the Jambos, Josh McPake is emerging as a real threat in Gorgie. So how should Saints go about stopping him - and his team-mates - at Tynecastle? On the latest 'Spoony Chop', Stuart Cosgrove, Sean Hamilton and Eric Nicolson discuss what lies in wait in the capital, plus the signings of Enes Alic and Danny Schmidt.

Saints may be in the middle of a break from competitive action, but work to bolster Simo Valakari's squad has not stopped. The latest name to be linked with the club is German striker, Danny Schmidt. He - along with Bosnian full-back, Enes Alic - is expected to sign up before Saints' next Premiership match, away to Hearts on August 29. Schmidt's attributes were up for discussion on the latest Spoony Chop, with Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton.

St Johnstone returned to the Premiership with a bang thanks to a dramatic 4-3 win over Kilmarnock. On this episode of the Spoony Chop, Sean Hamilton and Stuart Cosgrove assess the performance, the goals, the thrills, chills and spills of an entertaining opening weekend victory - and what it taught us about Saints' developing side.

It's the week building up to St Johnstone's Premiership return but last season's momentum has been lost following a shock League Cup group exit. Eric Nicolson and Stuart Cosgrove assess the damage done and whether the recruitment picture has changed.