On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton chew over St Johnstone's extra-time cup defeat to Motherwell, what the personnel, tactics and performance told us about where the club stands ahead of its return to Championship action against Arbroath, and, with the transfer window starting to creak, when mounting interest in Makenzie Kirk will result in a bid Saints can't say no to.

After that opening day demolition of Partick Thistle, St Johnstone travelled to face pre-season title favourites Ross County and returned with a second "statement" win in as many games. Against Thistle, Saints were swashbuckling. Against County, they were a force to be reckoned with, both physically and with the football. What have these two wins said about Saints to their Championship rivals? Who are the unsung heroes worthy of praise? And with a League Cup clash against Motherwell on the horizon, what might Simo Valakari do to his starting XI?

The Championship season is up and running and Perth supporters have just been treated to a five-star display by Simo Valakari’s men. Eric Nicolson and Colin McCredie do their best to keep a lid on the excitement building at McDiarmid Park (and struggle).

Simo Valakari's summer rebuild has begun at St Johnstone, with Greenock Morton's Jack Baird becoming the club's first signing. On this episode of the Spoony Chop - the final show before our close-season break - Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss Baird's arrival, whether he will be joined by Morton team-mate Morgan Boyes and Raith Rovers striker Jamie Gullan, Ross County joining Saints in the Championship and the long-time-coming departure of Benji Kimpioka.

The season is officially over and in this episode of the Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton pore over the last day loss to Dundee, the pitch invasion that followed and the merits - or otherwise - of the players staying and departing. Plus, Saints' history with double-barrelled players - debated. 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.

St Johnstone's relegation from the Premiership is a done deal - and it has been a long time coming. On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson, Stuart Cosgrove and Sean Hamilton dig deep into what has gone wrong at McDiarmid Park, when it began and what was - or was not - done to arrest the decline. And should Saints fans want Dundee at risk of joining them in the Championship via the play-offs?

St Johnstone's season all comes down to Saturday's clash with Ross County. Defeat will see them relegated to the Championship, while a draw will provide a stay of execution. A victory would reduce the Staggies' lead over Saints to just three points, with six left to play for. On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss the hugely disappointing loss to Kilmarnock, Simo Valakari's position as manager and the requirement - as a bare minumum - for a purposeful performance against County.

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St Johnstone’s survival hopes are hanging by a thread after Motherwell exposed their defensive frailties at Fir Park. But the performances of a few players who haven’t been regulars provided a ray of hope. On this week’s Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove and Eric Nicolson assess the possibility of Saints winning back to back home games and unlikely heroes emerging.

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

Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/newsletters/