SussexJag

One of the issues is surely that we sign players late - and so we start slowly as new players bed in, without the benefit of having settled down? Might be wrong but this feels like a theme most seasons. Then Archie's superiority to other managers sees us develop and do well - then at the end of the season we have gaps to fill again, due to our living within our means, so the cycle continues. Am usually wrong but that's my impression anyway.

Yup the withdrawals are shocking too. But there has to be something fundamentally wrong - guys like Bale turn up for Wales, guys who can't lace his boots don't. I guess folk like Levein, Sbragia, Stark, and the rest of the SFA nonentities haven't exactly motivated people in the past - but I wouldn't say Strachan lacks passion or indeed at least some sort of managerial track record compared to the rest of them. Man for man I don't believe Scotland are good - but then neither are N. Ireland. Rep of Ireland, Iceland, Hungary, etc - all of whom are doing better than us, and they seem to have a team ethic and pattern that masks the lack of basic ability. Even two of Wales scorers v Belgium (Vokes and Robson-Kanu) are no better than our guys, but there they were doing the job, and there we weren't. Sorry, but of a pointless rant with no solutions on offer!

Lost 1-0 at home to Macedonia. That's absolutely dire and actually worse than the seniors who generally don't lose at home to mince. So just when it couldn't get any worse, it's about to... An old topic but where are the future stars.... Gutted.

Still would take our stability than doing things we can't afford. Read the other day that Bolton had got to 100 million in debt!!?? Probably to the sugar daddy but that's absurd. Even by the h*ns standards. Hope our sensible approach and commitment to youth and community works in the long run - Archie's created a great platform by progressively improving our position. Biggest risk at present is that we lose him.

Most of us have played the game, me as a centre half. If the defence is 4th best in the league despite costing next to nothing then that is some achievement. The reason defences get good is commitment to routine, trust, and unity - it just happens that way. The first one is more important for defenders, the others are common to the whole team. So if Seabourne has played lots of games, then he's part of that. The centre half pairing is the key building blick. Don't get to the games but goals against is surely the only indicator that matters.

3 points from first 27. 28 points from last 45. Is the run of P15 W8 D4 L3 our best ever longer run in the top league? And possibly our best defensive run in terms of goals lost?

Quote from jerry sadowitz: 'Brummies are that thick they need to pull their trousers down to count to 11' Harsh - I know some villa fans who are sound.

Wisest and most succinct comment I've read about Thistle. It's Archie's replacement when he goes (and he will soon) that will be the biggest deal. It's all about managers when you have leagues where almost anybody can beat anybody, based in quality levels.

Geography prevents me going to many games but the Celtic game reminds me that, all in all, I always found journeys to Parkhead fine compared to going to Ibrox, which was always horrendous. I remember that even after a 5-1 defeat (maybe Ian Cameron got the consolation in about 1993) our away support got attacked by some very unpleasant people - around about the same time, we came away unscathed despite cuffing Celtic away. Any views on whether the Celtic fans are less vile than Rangers'? It goes without saying that I hate both clubs and all the cr-p that they stand for.

Too true - shame we got 3/27 points from first 9 games, whole Archie worked out the new squad. Hopefully we won't have a dip now and confidence will see us stuff the poorer teams in the second half of the season.

Arguably our best result of the season? To keep the run going against 2nd is great - must have been some real character to keep a clean sheet when up against it like that. Clean sheets in such games have been hard to come by in the past. Well done Archie and the team yet again.

That list has got me thinking, agree with them all. I'd only add Hibs. Horrible team, horrible fans, for years. The Hamilton play-off win at Easter Road is one of the best You Tube clips ever. Not a big fan of Celtic or Hearts at all but for some reason I find both a lot less vile than their rivals. Hope Hibs keep Rangers down though. I'd like them for a few days then.

3 points from 27 then 17 from 24 - amazing turnaround really. Didn't really believe that it was possible to bed in a semi-new team after such a bad start, but massive credit (again) to Archie and co and the players. Roundabout 3 years ago I made a rare appearance at the Dunfermline 5-1 game and wondered if we were on the brink of something special - an amazing performance against our then main rivals for promotion. Then a couple of weeks later McNamara left and the board took a controlled risk - what's happened since with less budget than (probably) all our rivals is arguably unparalleled. Even Lambie was able to buy (eg Geordie, Gerree) and occasionally pay some competitive wages. I guess the risk we now can't control is that Archie gets an offer he can't refuse - and we have a problem - esp if Paterson goes with him. But f-ck it, we're back from the dead and it's time to get blootered.

Exactly the sort of game we lose when we should win - great result

That Killie fan's rant is a sensation.

Hilarious!!!! Magic stuff pal

Rare night away from the weans to watch this. Had a good time, but in truth I thought we were poor against a v average Ireland team. Forsyth and Ritchie looked out their depth and we never got a grip. But I guess the sign of better times is that we didn't lose - we usually do when we go a goal down, but this team seems a bit different. Well done Strachan. Can't believe Anya didn't start though.

Not so bothered about Fox, good shot stopper, bit like Nelson on crosses. Sad about Balatoni and Craigen - team spirit counts for a lot and they were clearly brilliant in that respect, and how amazing they were for the supporters - esp as guys who arrived halfway through the improvement process and not being Weat of Scotland / Glasgow guys.

Just watched the highlights. The first goal is hilarious. Was trying to remember what it reminded me of, then I got it. A similarly gratifying error by an ageing Peter Shilton in 1990 (Paul Parker deflection?) and then again by David Seaman in 2006 for the Ronaldinho goal. Probably lots of goals involving feckless back-peddling keepers, maybe I've just made the link because they have led to v happy days like today - and involved my two least favourite teams.

I felt nervous watching the highlights this time!

Had never seen this and my memories were not that we were so dominant, but that I'd watched the 2nd half through my hands in nervous horror. Interesting to see the standard of play - most of these guys were probably better than what the spl now has to offer, although no particular stand outs. A great day - esp if your thistle-supporting life had involved almost exclusive mince up until that point -Lamont, Rooney, Johnstone, etc.

McMillan, Hardie, now the possibly aptly named Lawless! Rivalling the nefarious 90s including Dinnie, The Ghost, and Chic? Adding Adam Strachan, we're getting close to a decent team!

Laura is a Jags fan but never went to many games - despite my attempts to drag her along (my wee sis). I used to go home and away but not so much now, given where I live, but it's great to see the team doing so well under Archie.