The absence of Nicky Clark through injury leaves a big hole in the St Johnstone team.
Signing the experienced centre-forward from Dundee United was viewed as the final, essential, part of the Perth jigsaw for a squad that had like for like cover in virtually every other position.
Since his arrival in the last week of the summer transfer window, Clark has scored four goals.
But it has been the quality of his link-up play and assists that have been even more important than the number of occasions he has found the back of the net in blue and white or teal and magenta.
There’s an argument to suggest Clark is the hardest player for Callum Davidson to replace – and the defeats in his absence at Tynecastle and Rugby Park haven’t contradicted that.
With Stevie May a virtual certain starter unless his form dips dramatically, Courier Sport assesses Davidson’s options in the 12 weeks ahead.
Theo Bair
The Canadian got the nod to partner May at Rugby Park on Saturday – his first start since mid-October.
Davidson challenged Bair to bring his training ground game to match day at Kilmarnock but he offered next to nothing as an outlet for his defenders and midfielders in a frighteningly one-sided first half.
He made more intelligent runs and was protected the ball better after the break and, in theory, he has a reasonably complimentary style fit with May.
But the big leap forward feels as far away as ever and it would be a surprise to see Bair in the starting 11 to face Aberdeen a week on Saturday.
Zak Rudden
The on-loan Dundee forward should probably be the short-priced favourite to replace Bair, as he did just after the hour mark on Saturday.
He’s a bit too similar to May in a few aspects of the game than would be ideal for a partnership but his hold-up work is improving and he’s the most instinctive penalty box finisher at McDiarmid Park.
Against St Mirren, Rudden proved both those points with the quality of his one and only goal so far and the manner in which he earned the free-kick that led to it.
Zak Rudden’s Saints account opened ✅#SJFC pic.twitter.com/udMyH14lUI
— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) February 26, 2023
The former Scotland under-21 international would have had questions to answer from his manager had Drey Wright not scored following his blocked shot on Saturday – a pass to David Wotherspoon on his right was by far the best option open to him on a promising Saints counter-attack.
But maybe a bit of number nine tunnel vision wouldn’t be the worst thing for a team not exactly renowned for shooting on sight.
Connor McLennan
May and McLennan were the Tynecastle two and it didn’t look like a hand in glove fit on first viewing.
The on-loan Aberdeen player has been a man of many positions since arriving at the same time as Clark but he’s looked more at home out wide than through the middle.
McLennan can’t play against his parent club so somebody else will get the next chance anyway.
Jamie Murphy
Plenty of Saints fans will think Wotherspoon is the unluckiest non-starter of recent weeks (months) but Murphy may actually have an even stronger case.
He’s only been given 27 minutes of substitute football since nearly sparking the unlikeliest of second half comebacks against Livingston back in the middle of January.
Murphy has admitted that the change of formation on Clark’s arrival has deprived him of his most suitable position in a Davidson team – left of a front three.
But he and May were pretty effective when they’ve been on the pitch at the same time in that Livi game and against Hearts.
It’s a combination that could be worth another look.
Melker Hallberg or David Wotherspoon
Plenty of supporters would love to see the return of the 4-4-1-1 Davidson deployed for back-to-back games against Rangers.
That would likely mean a forward-thinking midfielder playing just behind May.
Graham Carey’s loss of form should put him behind Hallberg and Wotherspoon in the pecking order for that potential spot.
Stevie May on his own
Could Davidson decide to travel back to the future and go with the pre-Clark formation of one through the middle and two deeper attackers on either side?
It would be a brave call given the likely fan reaction but the likes of Carey, Wotherspoon, Murphy and maybe even McLennan would have a square peg, square hole position to compete for again.
Given Dan Phillips and Cammy MacPherson will likely be back together against Aberdeen, the 3-4-2-1 with the strong central midfield spine it needs does have merit, as unpalatable as that will be for some Davidson critics.
Chris Kane
Even if the double-winning hero puts his recent comeback niggles behind him, you’re probably looking at after the split before he’s a genuine contender to play again for the first team.
Even then, it will be small doses of off-the-bench action.
But, for all the comings and goings since Kane last played 14 months ago, he remains the most natural foil for May in Clark’s absence.
What's better than one Chris Kane goal?
Two Chris Kane goals ✌️#SJFC pic.twitter.com/fgBLy0m0RH
— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) October 5, 2021
When Kane is at his peak, few in the Premiership earn territory (and free-kicks), bringing team-mates into the game, better.
It would be wonderful to get a reminder of that again before this season is done.
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