The Spoony Chop: A St Johnstone FC Podcast

Competitive football is about to return for St Johnstone - and the Spoony Chop is back, just in time. On the first episode of the new series, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton talk about Saints' summer so far, including new signings, friendly performances and what's still needed, along with a look back at the season ticket row that kicked off the close season.

Having won the Championship by 11 points, St Johnstone are Premiership-bound. So which members of Simo Valakari's squad are ready for the step up and which are not? Is the rebuilding job required this summer as big as the one needed last year? Is it bigger? On this week's Spoony Chop - the final episode before our summer break - Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss Saints' fina...

St Johnstone have sealed their return to the Premiership at the first time of asking by securing the Championship title. Simo Valakari's side got the job done with a comfortable win at Dunfermline in front of a bumper travelling support, then lifted the trophy at home to Raith Rovers. On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton assess those two wins and how they ha...

St Johnstone have two chances to seal the Championship title - away to Dunfermline, then at home to Raith Rovers. On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss Saints' chances at East End Park, against a Pars side on a high after reaching the Scottish Cup Final, how Simo Valakari will deal with losing Jack Baird to suspension and the spectrum of possible outcomes, from emphat...

After a tough first half in wild conditions at Arbroath, St Johnstone turned in a strong performance after the break to win 4-2. The result saw Saints stretch their lead at the top of the Championship to five points, thanks to Partick Thistle dropping points to Ayr United. Josh Fowler's arrival as a half-time substitute at Gayfield helped turn the tide in the Perth side's favour, amid howling wind...

After dropping two points against Queen's Park, St Johnstone's lead at the top of the Championship has been cut to just three points (plus a superior goal difference). What went wrong against the Spiders? How should Simo Valakari fix it - and with which players - ahead of Saturday's crucial clash with Arbroath? On this week's Spoony Chop, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton try to make sense of an inc...

St Johnstone preserved their eight-point Championship lead over Partick Thistle on Friday night. By Saturday's clash with Queen's Park, the Jags COULD be within two. On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss what Saints still need to do to secure the title, Friday night's draw at Firhill and Eric's cameo appearance on YouTuber Sam North's channel.

St Johnstone are heading to Firhill to face Partick Thistle with an eight-point lead over their title rivals. And with just seven games to go (eight for Thistle), a win would go a long way towards killing off the Jags' challenge. So where is the path to victory for Saints? And would a draw do? On this week's Spoony Chop, Stuart Cosgrove, Eric Nicolson and Sean Hamilton discuss what will be the big...

St Johnstone moved eight points clear at the top of the Championship after the weekend's 2-0 win away to Greenock Morton. It's the strongest position Simo Valakari's side have been in all season - and with a clash against title rivals Partick Thistle on the calendar after Saturday's meeting with Ross County, things are getting 'real'. Would Saints settle for four points from these two games? Might...

St Johnstone opened-up a five-point gap over Partick Thistle on Saturday but can they now make the most decisive move of the Championship campaign by beating Morton? Stuart Cosgrove and Eric Nicolson contemplate the potential of a season-defining weekend. 

On the field, St Johnstone dropped points against Raith Rovers on Friday night and off it, the club have reacted to a pyrotechnic display in the away end at Stark’s Park. In this week’s episode, Stuart Cosgrove and Eric Nicolson discuss both topics.  

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...

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 M...

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 w...

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 - wil...

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...

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.  Interested in local sport news, you can save now with The Courier Sport Pac...

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...

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...