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I'm quite hopeful that Doolan is improving as a manager. It makes sense; you throw anyone into a first job and they're going to have a lot to learn. Good signs for me are that he's flexible, willing to change things that aren't working, and a fairly calm yet very positive presence. If he has indeed learned from the past season and a half, and if he recruits well, I reckon we could have a decent run at it next season. No one coming into the league is giving me too much fear (though they'll all be competitive).

I'd offer terms to Mitchell. Can't mind up about McInroy or Alston. Adeloye would be good to bring back. We will def need a RB as I assume McMillan will move to Premiership. Need a winger. Need a centre half & centre mid.

I’d rather have McInroy than Alston to be honest. He’s offered a little more this season (I largely discount games he’s been played as a winger, as he’s not one and shouldn’t really be judged on playing there). I’m not fussed either way if either sign, though.

You suggesting that Beckham doesn't belong?

Alston is worth another season, but possibly not as a regular every week. Thoughts about Nelson if he were to be available. I think a core midfield of Nelson and McBeth might be interesting. Both are ball winners, can move forward and are not afraid to have a pop from distance. Add that both can give cover (in emergency) in defence. No way he is good enough for Hearts, so maybe an option ?

Add to that list Gary mcallister v England. Penalties are a lottery, experience or not.

Beckham, Platini, Baggio and Bannigan, first time i have seen them mentioned together.

Our 'star' of the last 2 games Blair Alston's contract is up soon. If you would have asked me last week should we extend his contract it would have been an emphatic no, but after his last 2 performances is he worth another year. I suppose what i am asking is where was the Blair Alston we seen on Tuesday and last night for the vast majority of the season and is it worth taking a chance on another year on him ? I think i would still say no.

Hoping that A. Muirhead is signed as a backup only (if that). Doolan needs to learn from this season and start building a defence around O'Reilly who was signed as a "star man." Can't take another season of a slow and immobile CB pairing. Aero was signed up as a backup by Ian McCall three seasons ago and we are still running him at over 40 games a season. Defence is not even close to being sorted and is the weakest link. The 54 league goals conceded is proof of that. Would like us to get rid of Williams and Muirhead, and then start to reconstruct. Massive issue is the age of the team and lack of pace. Muirhead is an unimaginative signing and I hope it's not the type of player Doolan is targeting. Another slow player who doesn't score. We don't need another one of them in midfield. We also need to add someone to challenge Graham. I remember when Mark Robert's got old overnight and the goals dried up. That could happen and I don't think Diack can step up yet. Oakley is also the same mold of striker. Wouldn't mind seeing Tomi back as he offers something totally different. Also would be a big no for McInroy.

Crawford seems a likely signing in midfield from Morton. I'd like a number one goalie. A right back is a priority now as McMillan is likely away. Defence otherwise is sorted if you have McBeth in there or possibly as the defensive screen in midfield. I'd like two attacking wide players and a forward to back up Graham, preferably with a bit of pace. Diack is a good understudy to Graham and is already better than Dowds was in so.e aspects of his play. Once it pans out we may need another midfielder (unless the likes of Lyon or MacKenzie can make the stepup). Bottom line though we go into the off season with a good core of players. If we can add some quality in the positions mentioned we can have a right go challenging for the title. I've had enough of playoffs for now haha

As we now know that we will be in the Championship next season work will be starting on shaping the squad. I make it we have 15 players signed up (14 if you think that Lawless won't be available for a good chunk of the season). McCready Milne Muirhead (confirmed by himself at a sponsors event a few weeks ago) O'Reilly Williams Bannigan Fitzpatrick Lawless Lyon MacKenzie McBeth Robinson Stanway Diack Graham

So we're binning those players on the pitch at the end, the senior pros, that didn't take a pen last night? Well Lewis Neilson (21) and Kieran Ngwenya (21) will return to their parent club. That leaves David Mitchell (I think he can be excused), Harry Milne, Aidan Fitzpatrick and Dan O'Reilly. Don't think the last three named would struggle to find another Club. Might make Kris Doolan's job a bit harder though.

Season tickets will be going on sale soon but not everyone can commit to those so if you are in that position but could put £5, £10 or more each month towards either of these it does help the club. For the Players Fund you can make one off payments as and when it suits as well. It will be a very competitive league next season and anything extra that can come in I am sure would be welcomed. https://ptfc.co.uk/product-category/centenary-fund/ https://ptfc.co.uk/fans/players-fund/

Like you nothing to back up your impression. Next to nothing anyway. But maybe you can draw a parallel to golf. The first thing that very often goes with a golfer isn't distance, accuracy from the tee etc but his* short putting. Next to nothing to do with eyesight and almost all to do with nerves. Oh, and you watch these senior players on the putting green before going out and they sink just about every ball. *not sure if it's the same in the women's game.

Ive never done a scientific study on it, but my impression is that down the years loads of very experienced players have missed penalties in high pressure situations, especially shoot-outs (Beckham, Platini, Baggio, Bannigan etc), and I wonder if on average they fare any better than youngsters. You certainly often hear experienced professionals talking about the fearlessness of younger players. I have no issue with anything or anyone last night. They did us proud, they were unlucky, Raith Rovers have been the slightly better team over the season and good luck to them.

This seems a little OTT, there's no suggestion any of the players were hiding. Were they hiding when a young Ben Stanway stepped up and scored? Yes, experienced players should lead by example but if an 18 year old striker is confident enough to put his hand up then why not let him take one? Who's to say an experienced defender/midfielder would have fared any better?

He’s just what we need and have been missing for some years

Scott Brown is a horrible player. Would love him in our team !

The real damage was done on Tuesday, with a poor overall performance and defensive lapses. Last night was an excellent away win against the team who are above us in the league, and it's just a shame that some stupendous last-gasp defending by Raith and our profligacy when in great positions to score combined to force a penalty shoot-out. It's been a very good season overall, with many frustrations and disappointments, but we finished higher in the league than last season, and were a couple of inches away from another play-off final. I'm actually already over it, well sort of; blaming nobody in particular for the two semi-final games, but accepting that we were clearly below par in the first one, and were unlucky (?) in the second. On to next season!

Really ? you have experienced pros who stand back and watch 18 Year Olds step up whilst they hide ? You win nothing with people like that and other teams know that you have players who don't have what it takes when the Chips are down Experienced players get paid more to lead on the park - to win leagues you need backbone

Ditto. I'm 46 ffs.

It hurts. I'm a fully grown adult and it hurts like I'm twelve.

Like when Scotland beat England in a second leg playoff. I sometimes wonder about the similarities between Thistle and Scotland, and about me and my pain being the common denominator (while recognising just how self-obsessed that sounds, and is, and particularly on a forum where most people share that common denominator; but I bet I'm not the only one who's thought it).

How typically Thistle. First time in god knows how long that we win at Raith, and still we manage to lose.

Or Stanway