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BBC Sport piece looking ahead to playoffs https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9wzxr3de7do

I think we need to put out a reasonably strong team tonight. Utd have turned us over twice already this season and may very well be up for this tonight in front of what is very likely to be a pretty busy tannadice. I think the only players that really need resting are Fitzpatrick, Muirhead and McMillan. Graham hasn’t looked tired in any game so far and Robinson has missed so many already. However, without Fitzpatrick and Lawless already missing the best we can hope for is a draw.

Doolan emphasised, indeed overemphasised, striking a balance on Friday as we start the playoffs on Tuesday. Stanway and Milne are available again so could see either of them get at least a decent 20/30 minutes tonight Ngwenya spoke very well and it would be harsh for him to drip out of the starting eleven. He stated how he saw United being lethargic last Friday and it would be a good chance to get a positive result up in Dundee. Doolan was a bit more reserved but just stated we would play our way as we could not be sure how the opposition will be setup and their levels of motivation I can see United trying to get out the blocks quickly then maybe tail off. I wouldn't be surprised nor indeed upset with another draw to stretch our unbeaten run heading into the mania of the playoffs. TL;DR 0-0

Me too. In saying that I believe at one time we only had two full timers (Rough and Alan Hansen). And Dougie was around for most of AH's time with us.

Given the number of permitted subs these days we can be experimental with the starting XI and have a strong bench for insurance. I think whatever defence we put out will be reasonably experienced in any case. Maybe we'll start the way we ended up on Saturday with a back three of McBeth, Neilson & O'Reilly with the wingbacks restrained a tad.

All the games are being played simultaneously on Friday evening. I think the team quoted in the opening post looks reasonable enough. We have to rest Graham, Fitzpatrick, Robinson, McMillan and Muirhead, the first 4 because they are practically irreplaceable and their fitness and freshness will be vital for the play offs, and Muirhead because he has been carrying an injury. My only 2 exceptions: Stewart is so dreadful that Mitchell has to play. There is hopefully a fairly small risk of a goalkeeper being injured. Milne may need some game time after missing out last week. Ngwenya can shift to right back. McKenzie can move further forward and displace Loney. If all goes well, Loney and other younger players can make debuts in the second half. PS Maybe Neilson is needed to add some steel to the midfield. Playing Alston, Bannigan and McInroy seems rather lightweight.

If this team ever walked onto a football field, say Tannadice on a Friday night, my first though would be - thank heavens Queens Park are still involved in a relegation battle with Inverness! Realistically we need to field a team that can keep the score down to 4-0 and hope that QP deliver the tight game and result I expect v Airdrie on Saturday. How is that for a positive outlook?

Steady, we're only 10 goals better off in GD.

Stewart, McKenzie,, McBeth, O’Rielly, Ngwenya, Stanway, Banzo, Alston, Mcinroy, Diack, Loney What a team 😂

Our striking options in the period 1976 to 1980 included Doug Somner, Colin McAdam, Joe Craig & Jim Melrose and also Sandy Frame who might have reached similar levels if his career had not been ended by injury. Glory Days! On transfer traumas, I went in the huff when Jimmy Bone was transferred mid-season and for a lowish fee, breaking-up the League Cup winning team and the dynamic Coulston & Bone partnership all too soon. Almost as painful was the transfer of my all-time favourite Jag, Ronnie Glavin, to Celtic🤢

I had no idea he was part time. That’s incredible. I know he’s in our and St Mirren’s hall of fame. He was great in the air, had a brilliant left foot, could hold up well. And he put it right up the opposition, especially the Old Firm. Perhaps didn’t have the pace for international team but he was definitely one of the best around. Didn’t realise we had McAdam at the same time. Not a bad reserve/replacement.

Agree,Scott McDonald was also that type of player, didn't want to have him play against us, but was very good for us.

He's the best in the league, this season. End of story. Hope he has a few more gpals to come in the coming weeks.

By some sections probably. There's been a few on here having a go at the number of chances he's missed after some games. For me rule of thumb is do you want a player playing for you or against you. Id definitelyrather have him in the team. I can't imagine too many defenders look forward to facing him!

If league two is the league you are in, why wouldn’t you celebrate promotion out of it even if it is via a playoff. It marks of elitism otherwise. It’s the set up we compete in. As for the poll, over 7,000 were at Firhill celebrating a playoff final 1st leg win and 2,000 + at Dingwall hoping to celebrate a win there too.

Where do you draw the line ? Is making the top 6 in Premiership not a more notable achievement ? Would Winning a playoff from League Two be something to celebrate. For me it is a No. In general there is already too much hype around questionable achievements

That sums it up nicely, I think.

Still a very very faint chance of taking 5th spot.

I am with allyo in this. The honour is in the promotion, not the finishing position. Staying up via the playoffs isn’t an honour, that would be a relief.

HH for me.

I still think he's under-rated by Jags support.

You have to be straight. My natural feeling is that promotion through play-offs is an honour but saving yourself from relegation is not. In that respect I'm with the majority. However, if the play-offs are to be considered a "competition" then it should make no difference how you reached them, only whether you won them. Perhaps it's just a question of whether promotions are included in honours, regardlessof play-offs. For example, 2nd place in 1991. Is this an honour? If so (and I sure celebrated like it was) then I'd say this is equivalent to playoff promotions in 2006 and 2024. So in summary, if you are basing it on the playoff then all successes should be counted. If you are counting promotions throughout history then you should continue to do so, and justify omitting saving ourselves (if we ever actually manage to do that). Simple, eh?

Have to confess to being away on holiday and not at the match. I was relying on the BBC website, which I realise is not a smart move. Relieved that they still won in the end!

Well done to all!

3-2 actually - you must have sneaked out early!