brodieboy

You're right. It's not as mysterious as some are saying. Goals bring excitement, a buzz and some meaningful chat about the football after the match is over. If you look at the gates when we're banging them in against the Airdries, Falkirks or Mortons, fans are clearly drawn to Firhill by that. For the first season and a half back in the top flight, even more fans come to see us against the big teams as its a bit of a novelty. They soon drift away once the goals dry up and the prices continue to rise. This season we're averaging barely a goal a game (this is the norm for when we've been in the top flight, since the 70s); that's £22 a goal. More exciting teams like Dundee, Hearts and Aberdeen have generated momentum due to their attacking style and skilful players. Same can be said for teams in leagues below. If we finish 6th, that'll equal 1981's feat. If we finish 5th, that matches the great team of 1977. We last finished in the top 4 in 1963. You can see why Archie's stickin with the tactics. He's playing to our strengths and I don't blame him. But we need to coach players a better style in this country. Scottish Football isn't in the doldrums due to lack of money. It's the complete lack of evolution we have at grassroots and on the training ground. We're miles behind other countries. As for the music, sometimes I wish that PA system would just pack in completely. The matchday music and announcements are a total shambles. The general shrugging of shoulders at half time when they wheel that microphone out each week isn't cutting it for me. Spend some money on getting it fixed, liven up the half-time experience and reboot the music choice. Again, we're miles behind other teams/sports.

Wow. I was only 6 or 7 here then. Not sure of any of the players, in that case.

I think that's Kevin McAllister vs us for Falkirk perhaps circa 1994? Tom Smith in the photo for us. And my dad holding me up on the hoardings far left!

The club were never going to admit the game was in any doubt. It would probably have knocked a good couple of hundred off the crowd before they'd even got around to the inspection. Folk don't travel if there are doubts. This must be impacting Cash Flow pretty badly. Together with lost hospitality income, game receipts and the likelihood of a lower crowd for the 'replay', it'll be running into the £100k mark quite soon, if it isn't already. The ground has obviously got a major drainage problem. Have we been burying our head in the sand (excuse the pun)? Plastic pitches are inevitable unless the proposed extended winter break makes a difference. I'd prefer Summer Football anyway. Game needs a reboot in this country

Wish iI'd seen the team selection before leaving, as I wouldn't have bothered. Absolutely criminal from Archie. Asking the supporters to travel to watch us, appearing to, play for a 0-0. No drive, no composure, no guile. We'll need to do a lot,lot better if we're to avoid defeats in our next 2 games

Never mind that. When are we going to get rid of the La dee dad dee dad dee doooo, here we go, here we goooooo?! I'm pretty sure it's the main reason our PA system is still absolutely goosed. It's cringeworthy and the sound quality of the track is also pretty poor. Truly awful stuff to see your team run out to. Perhaps we could have a poll on a new tune? Apart from that, the music (and football) at Firhill has improved markedly over the last 3-4 years.

Why no Gary Fraser?

Does anyone know where I can find a list of the Partick Thistle Hall of Fame members? There doesn't appear to be a link on the website.

I wonder why he has it in for County. Around 10 of those goals came against them! They must really fear the big man.

Im not certain of when I first started going (or was dragged along). The original poster might be able to tell me!?... First memories are probably of 11-1 at Firpark in '93 when I was 8 when Albert Craig scored 5. Then there was also a freezin' cauld midweek game at Brockville (Davie Irons goal?) which might have been even earlier. That was my first taste of bovril. Nicky Henderson making sure our miserable Cup form continued by scoring for Cowdenbeath against us around '93 time as well. These were the first memories and Chic Charnley, Albert Craig and Nicky Walker were all early favourites. Gerry Britain later on for sheer effort and commitment and THAT goal at Dens Martin Hardie for strength and passion. Graeme Dorrans who should have gone on to be Scotland great. Today's favourite is Kris Doolan and I reckon he could well become one of the the stars in our hall of fame. Head and shoulders above all of these contenders however; Scott Paterson. Lambie always found good players or was able to get the most out of average ones but the signing of Scott Paterson went directly against the grain. I'm sure Scott disobeyed demands to clear his lines, clean out defenders and keep his line. He knew he was better on the ball, quicker in the turn, sharper in his passing and had a greater eye for the game than any of the opposition he came across. Friends of ours used to visit Firhill just to see him. Although a defender in the lineup, he was our greatest threat. Moving the ball forward quickly or dodging his way out of a few tackles to open up the midfield, he was a figure of great stature but also carefully crafted poise. He had been nurtured by the great coaches of Liverpool's famous Melwood training ground and it was there for all to see. I'm delighted it's worked out for Archie as manager but I extend the same gratitude to Scott Paterson and have no doubt he's imprinting on the young sides we've seen at Firhill of late.

Stirling, Cumbernauld, LInlithgow or Lothian away would be brilliant. But I'd also settle for Arbroath away or a home tie against any non-prem opposition.

Hmmm...not there today but sounded as if we started OK from the radio commentary before the goal went in. A 2-0 defeat today really piles pressure on the board to act regardless of how well Archie has done, what lack of funds we have and who else might be available. You cannot legislate for this lack of goals I'm afraid, at any level.

£100k and a season loan back or £250k and no loan. The club shouldn't underestimate the value of a good player over the course of the season.

Amoo looks well short of confidence. McDaid actually looked brighter when he came on. I'd start with the same team we finished with on Tuesday night

This is spot on BC. Stevenson, Amoo, Fraser and Bannigan were all poor and/or lethargic. There are no hiding places at venues like tynecastle. Gary Miller doesn't look anywhere near good enough. If we can't afford new players, that's fine but the least we expect is effort, commitment and graft. Ryan giving us the look of death at having a go, then he claps the hearts fans on the way off? Away and get another tattoo ya work shy cart horse

Any news on this? Also, I see the result/report isn't up on the official site or twitter. Does this mean we got drubbed and we're sweeping it under the carpet?

Terrific performance. Much improved. Lindsay (and Hendry) will have moments like that along the way. Archie, Craigen and ATS all did as well when they were young. Finishing was both fantastic and terrible. Cerny is the signing of the decade so far. Just typical Thistle today! Lapped it up.

Sad for Christie. His versatility will also be a loss. However, he is no O'Donnell or ATS and I'd rather we just give one of the kids a go if we're short. We've got no money and the development of our own young talent, regardless of how young or inexperienced they are, should be our strategy going forward. I do not want to see another useless free/loan transfer in.

To be fair, the PA guy is pretty poor. Michael Max is a pro at it and I think it's actually quite an important element of the match day experience. I wonder what the reason was to replace him?

Watched on BT. Thought the coverage was pretty decent. Gordon Strachan talks a lot of sense as does Stephen Craigan. Will keep the analysis short as there aren't many positives; Sean Welsh was fantastic. The centre backs also did really well as did Cerny. David Wilson is yet to convince me. I think the lad touched the ball 6 or 7 times and either gave it away, crossed the ball over the bar or into the keepers arms each time. Looks well, well out his depth at this time. Bannigan doesn't appear to be at the races yet this season. Pogba and Amoo linked up well a couple of times. Archibald reaffirmed why I elected to stay at home. All this drive to buy tickets and get behind the team and he serves up a formation like that. Come on now. On the up side, next two games are winnable.

Tend to agree with this, with the LC competition in it's present format. It's one of those things the SFA should have reviewed well before now. It's been stale - really stale - since the Coca-Cola Cup days. The League Cup should be scrapped in all countries with the governing bodies then having opportunities to invite clubs from Scandinavia, Ireland or even England to take part in a new international knock out competition. It would allow teams to network, fans to visit new grounds and managers to scout for players. Clubs playing in Europe (i.e. Celtic) could choose to play their development squad, to protect their first team from burnout. The main issue with change is cost. I imagine various things may have been considered in the past but lack of funds/sponsorship money, has been a stumbling block. Then there would also be the added costs of taking players on longer journeys, midweek.

Hendry in for Frans Lawless in for Amoo Pogba in for Doolan

It would be interesting to hear how we voted on this. To summarise; A survey of all 42 senior clubs found 27 would be in favour of examining the possibility, including nine from the 12-team Premiership. Only seven clubs said such a move would not interest them, with eight not offering a view. The positives? Gain media commercial revenues due to the league stretching over a less competitive sport market period. Major commercial and sponsorship opportunities for the same reasons. (Hamilton) Provides competitive advantage to Scottish teams in Europe having played 20+ games prior to entry into first qualifying round of Europa League and 25+ for Champions League entrants. (Dundee Utd) Better weather, better pitches and not competing against English football on TV every week would help clubs deliver better crowds. (Kilmarnock) Bad weather and heavy usage of under-soil heating affects pitches badly, fans have little money in January and this would allow injured players more recuperation time. (St Mirren) And the negatives? Do not think there would be a financial benefit to the clubs and, in our case, there is no issue with games being cancelled as we play on a synthetic surface. (Queen of the South) At part-time level, when do players get the opportunity to take family holidays? (Forfar Athletic) Would we attract the same level of support in the summer months with our supporters involved in other sports and out of the country on summer holidays? (Peterhead) Full article here; http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33028189

Interesting team. Obviously Craigen and BRE haven't yet been released from their contract if both are still eligible to play. Both being given a chance to impress scouts/say goodbye I guess. No Duggan either, who I thought might have featured, unless he's injured again. Welsh really was crocked wasn't he (no surprise). It seemed a minor bump at the time as well. I imagine some of the others are just too fatigued to even make the squad.

Not ideal, but common sense. We simply cannot ignore the figures here and the Pros, unfortunately, outweigh the Cons in this instance. Take all the money the Old Sc*m are willing to offer. We've barely challenged the old firm's resolute at Firhill in my lifetime and I don't think this change will make any difference to our chances next season. It's up to the players to step up and find a point or two from these games, from somewhere.