brodieboy

hearing rumours at the game yesterday that Christie Elliott is to sign a new deal but Scott Fox is going elsewhere.

Possibly. More likely that the money difference between 7th and 10th would go some way towards plugging the gap left by low attendances this season.

Same! tempted to turn it right back off again!

Emilio Bottiglieri?

Craigan, Andy Gibson, Collins and Del Fleming

Jimmy Gibson far left. Ayr player is Alex Williams

Is that not Duncan Ferguson far right?

I see a couple more of the promising Jags' youngsters are heading out on loan; http://ptfc.co.uk/news/2014-2015/april_2015/dillon_and_leyden_head_out_on_loan I've wondered for a while how this works... I'm aware that it's not always the case that any money exchanges hands but from a logistical point of view; Do the players train with their new club? If so, do they usually need to move house? Dillon's off to Berwick which is a 2 hour drive from Glasgow. Similar situation for Leyden at East Fife. If they continue to train with Thistle, how do they get to know their new club's tactics and team-mates? Do they remain full time? The seemingly relaxed process involved in moving a footballer the length and breadth of the country has always fascinated me.

I see we've raised £1,500 now. I've only been using it for 6 months or so and my own total contributions are nearly at £15. That multiplied by 1,000 fans over the 6 months or so would be a magnificent achievement and might just fund a new player in pre-season.

Terrific post, thanks! Analysis, stats, history, modern studies, maths, geography and critical evaluation all in there!

Just managed to make out Jimmy Boyle and Iain Nicolson too

Don't see anyone naming any of this eclectic bunch so here goes; From L to R at the back - Lyons, Watson, Archie, ? , Morgan, ?, Gaughan, Stirling, Dunn, Adams, ?, ?, ?, Nicolson ,? At the front - Milne, Sanderson , McVeigh, Hetherston , Henderson Edited to add Jimmy Boyle and Iain Nicolson

I'm not looking to put a dampener on any ideas. The more creative we get the better. Special offers, competitions, better facilities, better food, better laws and better communication are all musts. However, The SJ hits the nail on the head. It's a results driven entertainment business. Wins build momentum, excitement and expectancy. Look at Hearts. Even when they were going down last year, they were winning and getting good gates. Same goes for other clubs such as Hibs, Dundee, DU, Aberdeen, Motherwell and even further down the leagues like QP, Ayr and Morton (although their crowds are pretty dismal this year). If teams can manage to put together 8 or 9 home wins in relatively close sequence, crowds can increase by 40% or 50% in a matter of a few months. Throw in a cup run, an exciting young, home grown player or two and, dare I say it, a manager who shows a bit of passion (look at Ronny Deila for example) and you could really get the fans onside again. We've not seen any of those things since we were promoted. Have prices really increased that much in this country, in real terms? Has anyone compared it to the cinema, the price of a family meal or carnival? Would be interested to see some financial evidence to suggest that football clubs are ripping us off...I agree it's expensive and the excitement factor isn't as strong, but it's not the only thing to increase in price.

I echo this. It all smacks of boardroom concern. We got speaking to a board member at an away game early in the season who categorically confirmed that we needed average crowds of 4,500 to realistically break even. What is that figure now? That's the kind of information we could do with so we can get as many fans along as possible. For me, enough is enough with regards to the cloak and dagger stuff we're presented with as fans. Let's have some proper official statements which provide clarification on issues just like this. The fans have a fair amount of clout when it comes to finances, so why not keep them informed at all times? On the pitch disasters are hardly helping to hide the issue. It's only going to get worse if we get dragged down even further. No's the time to build ANY kind of momentum to take us into the split. At the moment the club, the lack of communication, the performances and this forum all point to the almost inevitability of relegation. We need someone to step up and give us all a good shake. I've not been to as many games this year for a variety of reasons, so I'm one of the few hundred not attending as much but I am certain I'd have made the extra effort to go to more if some of the issues we've seen recently had been addressed properly.

I will reserve final judgement until I've seen it, but if Higgy's challenge is as wild and unnecessary as it sounded, he should be fined. What an absolutely idiotic thing to do when 1-0 down. Complete moron

unbelievable. How many times in the last 2 years have we gifted points in last 5 minutes of matches?

You can add St. Johnstone away to that. Stevenson's effort on to the bar aside, we had nothing on goal the whole game. For what it's worth, I don't think Archibald should be sacked, yet. But we need to find some sort of resource to propel ourselves A change of tactics, a new defence coach, fresh training ground moves or some decent luck in front of goal. Have we had a penalty this season?

Hamilton game aside, where we were playing a team who were unsettled, we've really lost our way recently. There aren't any scapegoats. Just widespread loss of form and confidence across the squad. Fox - has looked shaky all season O'Donnell - has forgotten how and when to defend properly under pressure Frans - either he's unfit or he's strugling to settle in. After a strong start, he looks completely lost Seaborne - can't seem to play 2 or 3 games in a row and disappears from the squad without any reason given Balatoni - isn't really premiership standard Bannigan - rarely have I seen a player lose his way so badly. Just where has his swagger, hard tackling and ball control gone? Higgy - looks genuinely fed up, as if he's given up on his team mates and the club as a whole Osman - isn't as solid as he once was at the start of the season. Again, looks a bit like a player who's had enough at Firhill Craigen - a nice lad. But I'm afraid he's not a premiership footballer Elliott - workhorse, but very limited going forward McMillan - PotY before his suspension The rest have been OK, off and on. Archibald - hasn't found a consistent starting eleven in nearly a year now. We should be aiming for a settled eleven and it would be great to try a different formation (4-4-2 or 5-3-2) The board - I wonder if they're starting to look at the crowds and the performances with greater concern. We're only 2 or 3 defeats away from finding ourselves in the same position Hibs were in last year. Ask any Hibs fan and he'll tell you the manager should have been given his marching orders long before he was. Dens Park is huge now

Do not underestimate the effect a doing would have on our league form here. We need to keep it respectable at all costs.

Only live 40 minutes away but giving it a miss. Being away from my wee one has to be made worthwhile and, whilst results have been OK this season, performances of late have left a lot to be desired. I'll eat my hat if I'm wrong, but I fully expect a pummelling tonight. As one of the no-showers at Peterhead a few years ago, I'm taking another big risk here but I just don't see it. The last time we beat one of THEM was back in 1993/4 (I think?). I've never actually been there to witness it in a competitive match either (been going since I was a tiny wee boy, 1988/9)

As a season ticket holder, I might try to bring along friend(s) (plural) this evening. Can they all take advantage of this offer?

Aye, what's going on here? I've been asking for weeks as something's no been right here. Anyone?

Terrific game, first and foremost. Nice pass and rush play throughout from both sides. Lawless was my MOTM. Absolutely outstanding, as he has been all season. Stevenson and Lindsay also superb, apart from the youngster misplaced clearance or their equaliser. I'm not sure young Keenan's going to make it but McDaid looks a real find on the wing. United should be riding high in this league. Full of talent but lack a bit of experience. Dillon is woeful. Ciftci is talented but he's also the most despicable human being in Scottish football. There should be no place for a complete ar5ehole like him in sport. A cheat, an idiot, highly unsporting and completely void of respect. As much as I'd like Thistle to be a bit more nasty, he reminds me of some of the worst cretins who've turned out for the old firm in the past. Onwards and upwards to Dingwall. A massive game.

You're a tough crowd you lot! I thought it was quite fresh this year. A wee bit hit and miss but some very funny sketches throughout

Where's McMillan? How is Welsh? I'm too lazy to search for an update regarding their likely returns. Or is there a usual lack of updates from our club?