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Getting slightly off track here I watched my 12 year old grandson play against Raith Rovers. As the team captain and centre half was absent my grandson was captain for the day and dropped back from Central Midfield to Centre Half. The day after the game, which my grandson's team won by a 5 goal margin, the Coach issued his normal post match summary which though i have abbreviated read something like this (i have used first name initials rather than full name): "Although like Raith we were 3 players short today everyone played well to deliver a convincing victory. Due to Js absence we made B captain for the day and moved him from his usual position in Central Midfield back to Central defence. B played very well and gave a solid and commanding performance protecting our keeper who as a result had very little to do in the first half. With a 3 goal lead at HT we moved B forward to Central Midfied where he gave his usual strong tackling performance breaking up attacks high up the pitch, winning possession and starting our attacks". Man of the match was awarded, deservedly, to the centre forward who put in tireless performance and scored a hat trick. Watching this game and my grandson's performance I couldn't help but hope that in 8-10 years time he will be in the Jags midfield because the attributes he displayed in the above game were exactly what we need in both Central defence and midfield. Apologies for the lengthy account.

I have not seen Barton”s social media post and I do not want to see it, but would he not have been better raving about Rachel Donaldson’s wonder strike. I suspect that he will not have scored a better goal than that in his rather up and down football career. Back to Ava Easdon. From my excellent vantage point high in the stand, the gap left for the first goal looked obvious. I am sure that it is not so easy on the ground when you realise that your whole defence has abandoned you and there is no option but to come rushing out trying all the time to protect your near post (which Ava managed successfully!). Beyond that I cannot remember any significant mistakes. I do recall a brave save at the feet of a Rangers attacker, as a result of which Ava had to receive treatment. Absolutely no chance with the 2nd and 4th goals. For the 3rd she had the shall I stay or shall I go dilemma when the Rangers forward outpaced the defence and came through centrally one on one. In the end she came and the attacker poked the ball past her. I do not think that staying would have produced any better outcome. After the 4th goal she adopted Gandalf’s “You shall not pass” declaration from the Bridge of Khazad-dum and kept the Rangers Balrog at bay for 40 minutes with some excellent saves, including from a few high net bound efforts. So, taken in the round, a creditable performance on a challenging day, and a cause for praise and encouragement rather than excessive criticism. Ava Easdon, we salute you!

Just a sharing a piece i wrote a few years back. They only put it on the website yesterday on the great man's birthday. Hope you like it if you have the time. https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/issue-12/john-lambie-partick-thistle/

We're delighted to report that this celebration of the great man now has a forever home on The Thistle Archive, with thanks to Kenny and to the good people Nutmeg Magazine! John Lambie: Partick Thistle's Ultimate Character Still Stands Tall →

Very positive start and really took the game to Rangers early on. Strong tackling to win the ball back and putting together some good moves. Did appear to be pressing quite high up the park which left the huge gap for the first goal. Came back brilliantly with Rachel's equaliser. After about half an hour the pace and snap seemed to gradually decline and from then on we found it difficult to retain possession for any great length of time. No doubt that was when the difference between full and part time training was beginning to tell. Agree that the timing of the third goal was really deflating. Half-time at 1-2 could have been the springboard for renewed momentum in the second half. As it was Rangers scored the fourth soon after the interval. From that time on it was backs to the wall, but a spirited defensive performance not to concede further. The team did themselves and Thistle proud. Their spectacular over-achievement this season is worthy of tremendous credit.

All true. Also for the integrity of our league there has to be significant advantage given to the team finishing second over the teams in the third and fourth places. Clearly there's not enough prize money in the kitty to do it on a purely monetary basis hence the additional games. Besides coming fourth in a tiny league of ten means that team is often likely to be only marginally above being classed as mid table. It shouldn't then be made any easier for that club to "get lucky". Anyway I'd much prefer it if we had larger normal sized leagues. Two up, two down automatically and play offs to decide if a third club could progress or not.

Does anyone here remember the last time we played at Starks Park on Grand National Day? Scenario.- Season 2004/05. Raith already relegated having previously accumulated only 13pts beat us 1-2, effectively relegating us as well. One person on here (let's call the poster, me) on leaving the ground spots three unselected regular team members sauntering back into Starks having forsaken our match for the lure of Aintree. This poster who lived a relatively short journey from Kirkcaldy and still irate at the result (and no doubt the world in general) too promptly posted observations on the then current Jags forum. Didn't foresee that some web lurcher from the Daily Record would pick up on this. By Monday said paper would deem such an incident worthy of headlining import. Looking forward to tomorrow's game in full knowledge that whatever the result I won't be on anything like the downer I was on 19 year ago.

Wish we could have put the clock forward at 3.45 this afternoon..

Good to see James Lyon scoring for East Fife today.

From Willie Paul (the pioneer) to Willie Sharp (the Old Firm slayer) all the way to Kris Doolan (the milestone man) and Brian Graham (Peter Pan) via (super) Maurice Johnston in-between, this brand new Partickle explores the exceptional Thistle strikers who've dominated particular teams in the same league season by bombarding their goal nets. An astonishing realisation re Brian Graham ensues... The King Of The Slams →

Oh, we can do something about it next week 🤞😂

Good to see James get another 80 minutes and a goal.

What in the wide, wide world o' sports is a goin' on here? https://crescentcitysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Slim-Pickens.jpg

They certainly never spent much of that on pitch anyways. Perhaps splurged it on a new fax machine.

It is indeed quiet in here. So much so Albert's Ghost is talking to himself over on the "PTFC v The Loch Inverness Monster" thread. 😀

I thought when they went down to 10 it was very sporting of Doolan to even it up by bringing on Blair Alston

Not quite sure if this is the best thread for this (not worth opening one specially), but as it relates to the squad, I will put it in here. A friend of mine is an East Fife supporter and when emailing me about something else he added the following: East Fife are doing well just now, with 4 wins & 3 draws in their last 7 matches. I wanted to let you know that we saw the best of James Lyon at last week’s game against Stranraer. He played really well & scored our opening goal in a 2-1 victory. It’s taken him a while to settle into our squad (quite understandably so) but it was very good to see his drive & confidence on the ball finally coming to the fore. Hopefully James will kick on from here.

Thank you. At my age mid-70s it would be unusual not to have some ailments. I am very fortunate to have nothing too serious, so far. I think I over did the DIY and issues with my hips flared up. I will be OK in a few days. The irony is that Arbroath is only a 90 min drive and is one of the fixtures I can normally get to. Anyway as others have said 3 points and a clean sheet - a good days work. Thanks again.

Checking the records Tommy Gibb won a single under-23 cap. Joe McBride was a terrific player. Arrived from Luton town in a swap ,(I think) for Jim Fleming and had a tremendous scoring record at every club for whom he played. Would have been a Lisbon Lion but for injury...

An incredible pod cast, he’s came through so much hardship yet is still so positive, comes across as a lovely guy

Back row, left to right: Tommy Rae, Charlie Smith, Ian Dick(?)., Bobby Gray, Donnie McK, Brian Ralston, Jackie Campbell, ?, ?, John Gibson, Bobby Houston Front row, left to right: Jackie Husband, Bobby Gray Snr, Jim Mullen (?), Archie Lochrie (?), ?, ?, Eddie the Pru Man.

So sad to hear that Jags fan Willie Limond has passed away.https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/national/24253546.former-british-commonwealth-boxing-champion-willie-limond-dies/ RIP, Willie

Given the importance of the next 2 home games it would be great to see, as well as a big crowd, hospitality sold out so lets hope the club are answering phones and picking up e-mails from Monday. https://ptfc.co.uk/ptfc-news/hospitality-places-on-sale-for-final-two-regular-season-home-games/

Wow, great observation! A real difference maker to our position...

Currently 9 points ahead of Dunfermline and 9 points ahead of Ayr United, with 3 games left and a healthy advantage in goal difference over both. Every single goal in the Slam and Hogan is essential to our current position.

Looking at the bench, we’ve done tremendously well to be 3rd at this stage of the season.

images.mp4

So we really just need a better result than Dunfermline tomorrow and the playoff will be secured.

Jamie Mitchell

I was wondering what a Hogan was, thinking that it might be own goals by Jags players! Not that I'm aware of any OG's by Joe in his 12-year spell at Thistle, his only senior club.

That is absolutely fantastic. Great work and brilliant memories. I especially like it when a non-standard goal scorer made a special habit of banging them in against a particular team. Step forward Scott Chaplain for his Hogan against Clyde in 2007-2008!

Well we’re clearly not going to be 2nd so will potentially still have up to 6 play off games, so given where we are surely it’s better to aim for third for more money?

That is a very fair point. You could see quite a few instances of times yesterday where Mitchell was shouting at his defence and organising them/ giving them a rollicking. In particular you can see Muirhead doesn't blow his top at Mitchell anywhere near as much as he does with Sneddon. I suspect that's partly because Sneddon isn't vocal enough and partly because the defence doesn't trust Sneddon as much.

In the 1st minute one of our players completely took a Dunfermline player out. The ref didn't think it was a foul. From that moment on I knew we were in for 90 mins of terrible refereeing, and it came to pass. More concerning is our continuing attempts to protect a lead. Why does everyone drop so deep? Why do completely lose the ability to play football? We played some decent stuff 1st half; 2nd half was all panicked clearances, often when there was a straightforward pass to a Thistle jersey. Whatever the merits of the penalty, we allowed a Dunfermline player to run from almost the halfway line unchallenged to play the ball into the box. Robinson actually moves away to give the guy a free run up the park. If we insist on defending a lead, we need to learn to defend every inch of the park. Hope the injury to Lawless is as bad as it looked. Fingers crossed he's available for the playoffs. The main positive was that we deserved the draw from our 1st half performance and it inches us a little closer to said playoffs.

Brian Graham v Dunfermline in February scored a perfectly good hat-trick

A goal scored in every game against the Pars this season. What a player!

What gave it away was the self-righteous posing of the officials who were probably enjoying their moment of unnecessary officiousness after the final whistle.

Is it Eddie Prudham about to be sent off after a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie?

I find myself excellent company, even if few others do...

Must have heard you…. Posted minutes after your post. Hopefully we’re faster out the traps tomorrow

Only 24 hours to go to kick off, so I will pluck up courage and open the match thread. Hopefully it is not too early. If I understand mathematical progressions, after progressive score lines v Inverness this season of 0-0, 1-1 and 3-3, the score on Saturday should be 6-6. I would take that, but only if we are 0-6 down with 5 minutes to go, and mount an epic comeback. Of course by that time everybody else will have walked out in disgust, and Auld Jag and I will be the only fans left in the John Lambie Stand to witness this.

No one dares to suggest that Kris Doolan might perhaps be a better manager than Ian McCall and/or possibly had a smaller budget than Raith Rovers in case they trigger a repetitive mega-thread.

Not sure what was going through Fitzy’s head today , terrible attitude, take on board the state of the pitch but he should look at his team mates BG, Robinson, Lawless etc to see the work they put in Fitzy is undoubtedly a talent but never going to go to the next level unless he addresses fitness levels and work ethic

Why does every team in the league look so much sharper and fitter than us? Too many miles off it today. Im like a broken record with Fitzpatrick but he’s going to waste his talent with his attitude, shocking today. Stanway breaks up play now and again but his passing and ball retention needs some serious improvement. Would like to hear Doolan’s thoughts about going to a back 5 against 10 men and as mentioned, running the ball to the corner with twenty minutes to go. A win and clean sheet are the positives but a dreadful performance.

Joey Barton is a fud https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68663517

Haven’t posted for a long time but felt the need as that twat Barton does my head in however on the real positive side don’t think he realized who her father is 🤔🤔 well I know who my monies on should they ever come head to head😋😋 can’t see Barton visiting Paisley any time soon

Would be only fair to balance that by saying that there was not a lot Ava could have done about the other goals and that she made some great saves, especially in the second half. Indeed, even though obviously tiring, the whole team did really well to keep Rangers out for the last 40 minutes of the game.

Wow, worth coming just for that goal. What a cracker!

Not the best of games but a good win and a good clean sheet.

For a moment I thought the best man was Pete Ham, of Badfinger fame!