partickthedog

With a name combining Lewis Hamilton and Nigel Mansell, at least he should have pace. Probably more used to playing in a 2-2-2-2-2 formation. Chequered flag for Caldwell.

You can add Banzo to that list.

I was working in the office on my birthday a few years ago, when a colleague said that someone from the bank was in the meeting room, and that I had to go and see them. Was annoyed that my day was being invaded by a bank manager trying to get me to open an account I didn't need, so I went through somewhat reluctantly and sulkily. My colleague said, "this is Chris from the bank" and I thought he looked quite young to be in a senior position in a bank. Then the penny finally dropped even more slowly than Gary Caldwell turns round a tanker. Fortunately I still have the photographs and the signed mouse mat to prove it. What a humble self-effacing, humorous guy,. Could have talked to him for hours. Always had time and consideration for the fans, as AJ has testified so eloquently on Robert Junior's behalf. Absolutely brilliant player and some fantastic goals and also assists over the years. The cross for Doolan to clinch top 6 against Motherwell was amazing. The famous goals have already been highlighted, but led me add a few which are perhaps less celebrated, but still precious memories: 1) Vital volleyed equaliser at Airdrie when our promotion campaign was flagging in the deep mid-winter. 2) Last season's league opener at Hibs (who unfortunately then came from behind). 3) Double at Falkirk in a 3-2 success. 4) 3rd goal at Ross County watched by the 150 of us who braved Storm Barbara. 5) Ross County again, less than a year ago, a superb volley to take the lead in a nervy relegation fixture. 6) That first hint of brilliance with the swooping finish against Liverpool in Archie's testimonial. 7) His joy in scoring a peach against Falkirk at Firhill just a few months ago. And there are so many more. Unashamedly my favourite player of the past decade. Just loved that slightly goofy hangdog expression and the way that he could laugh at himself in post-match interviews. I will still be supporting Thistle home and away, but a little part of what makes the Jags so special has been lost. Hopefully there are new heroes to come and that gap will be filled in time. All the best to Squiddy/the Bridge/Big Bird in his new aquarium/aviary. Just thankful he is not in the same league as us.

I suppose that a referendum is when the people get the vote as to whether or not to end a referee's career. Should we be calling for a managerendum?

Thanks TJR. So their two worlds might finally collide on Saturday, though one may depart the fray as the other enters it.

TJR. Have Chris Erskine and Gary Harkins ever played together on the pitch for Thistle? In Gary's latest incarnation, he has played one game in which Chris was an unused substitute, and of course in our last game Gary had departed the scene before Chris was introduced. My recollection is that at the end of Gary's first incarnation, there was a fair amount of pre-season negotiation with Dundee which culminated in his departure. This was the same pre-season in which Chris arrived. I remember Chris scoring in a pre-season friendly against Liverpool (Archie's testimonial) by which time Gary had left, as when Gary came on at half-time of the testimonial to take part in the hit the crossbar competition, he was already a Dundee player. Thus I am fairly sure that they have not played together in a competitive fixture for Thistle. Was there an earlier friendly where both played? Does Gary's sending off rule him out of the cup tie or the next league fixture? The combination of this and Chris' uncertain Thistle future could mean that once again they are ships that pass in the night (hopefully keeping a good look out for slowly turning tankers).

I am hopeless at formations but certainly Banzo and Slater were not making the wide forward runs they made last week.

Already posted my thoughts on first half. Second half we began more on the front foot and it was a good series of attacks that led to the goal which was a fine finish by Spittal. Had chances to go 2 ahead not taken. Soft but avoidable sending off for Harkins, and Falkirk then scored very quickly. We were reasonably comfortable after that. Banzo and Elliott were the 2 stand out players.

Erskine put on a good show in the short time he was on the pitch. Maybe it is wishful thanking but I was not interpreting his clap as a goodbye but more as a thank you to the fans for their support today.

I am no tactician but I do not think I have ever seen a team set up as negatively as Falkirk. They have had about 3 attacks all half. Unfortunately they are forcing us into the sideways down the wings today with usual lack of end product. Bannigan’s and Slater’s forward runs from last week not happening and sadly Penrice who is one of my favourite players is having an off game. Bannigan unfortunate to be booked but concerned he will see red. Along with Harkins our best player. Change needed

Definitely good enough, but I am trying to guess what the manager will do rather than what he should do. I would hope that Fitzpatrick could be one of my dynamic substitutes. However, assuming the same team as last week starts, then the 3 most likely substitutes (assuming all defenders plus goalkeeper stay fit) are Cardle, Roy and Erskine, so Fitzpatrick may be 4th in line. Might get on if Caldwell wants to show Erskine and everyone else who is boss.

Just hoping Gary doesn't turn his tanker 360 degrees. Think darts and stop at 180. Don't think anyone has yet posted a team for today. Given the good first half last week, I suspect that the same team will be given the nod to start. Personally I would take out Storey (after his shocking second half showing following on his first half brilliance) and keep him for pace and/or desperation near the end of the game. I would start Erskine (who I am convinced will give his best and is better working his way into a game from the beginning or at least from half-time, but has rarely worked well as a later "impact substitute"), but I appreciate that others might prefer Cardle. I hope that we keep the more attacking roles for both Bannigan and Slater. Assuming that Saunders is now fully fit and that Harkins can last a bit longer, that might give us flexibility for more dynamic substitutions. My only concern is as to who makes the tackles in the midfield, but you cannot have everything!

Is Armand back?

Could we pay his air fare back and then sign him? MIles Storey could do all the running for him. All he would have to do is put the ball into the net. Who needs Pele, Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus? We can have our own signing from South America.

Gary Crude Oil

We could arrange for Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel to lead us in the singing of "Bridge over Troubled Waters".

I was intrigued by his comment that he tried to injure his own players and thought that at least he may be succeeding in something. Then I realised that the word was "inure".

If I recall correctly from the stats thread, the Committee were in our top 3 of all time management set ups and certainly far and away better at the job than Gary Caldwell.

and some liquorice allsorts

At the time I thought that Madden had got the decision wrong as from my viewpoint it seemed that McGinty had met the ball and impacted the player through the ball. However, the highlights make it clear that Nesbitt had touched the ball away just before McGinty got to him. So. although the fall was theatrical and it pains me to say it, I do not think that we can complain about the decision.

Tactical master stroke by Caldwell to sign a sixth player in the transfer window, but not tell anyone about this and then introduce him into Saturday’s line up disguised as Miles Storey. Worked an absolute treat in the first half and the new guy was brilliant. I can only presume that the plot was rumbled at halftime and Caldwell was forced to restore the real Miles Storey for the second half.

I am generally rubbish at spotting and interpreting formations as I am too busy trying to watch the actual play! Not exactly sure where Spittal was (not intended as a criticism, I was just not tracking him), but can say with assurance that Harkins was playing a deep lying quarter back role, much deeper than I expected. This was generally very effective, except when somebody was running at him with pace. Either he made the tackle or he was quickly bypassed, and on at least one occasion he took a wild lunge at the attacking player and was lucky not to be booked! Bannigan and Slater were in much more forward positions than I have seen them this season, and were also rather wider, Bannigan on the left and Slater on the right. I really enjoyed this aspect of our play as we seemed to be coming into the box from all angles and not just approaching from the sides which has generally been ineffective. It brought back memories of the days when Bannigan was a regular goal scorer and Slater is of course also dangerous in these positions. From Banzo's interview on Jagzone, it would seem that (as was Slater) he was expected to help out his wingback (which he did) but also to provide cover for Harkins, which was perhaps rather a lot to expect. However, it all made for a dynamic and exciting (if slightly loose) first half. The trouble came when Harkins tired and then departed, and we could not replicate either the formation or the effectiveness, and we were soon on the back foot and did not recover from this. Introducing Cardle into that mix did not really help, though hopefully he will fare better in other roles in future games. Not sure if I have answered your question, and all I have probably done is demonstrated my own lack of tactical awareness. I can see that LIB has replied. Having got so far I have decided to ignore LIB's reply before submitting this, but i know that people like LIB really love pre-empting other posters'replies even more than they love a mazy run by Blair Spittal!

or Spittal, or Roy .........or Erskine?

This is a joke signing. Joke Ardle

I have said before that I do not like having a back 5 without a ball playing central defender, and I would much prefer to have Spittal and Erskine in my team than Storey. I appreciate that the team I have suggested below could be accused of lack of pace but hopefully can make up for this with subtlety. Fitzpatrick and:/or Storey can come on in the second half to add pace as the game opens up. It is hard luck on Sneddon but I suspect that Caldwell will pitch in Hazard. So: Hazard Elliott Saunders McGinty Penrice Slater Bannigan Harkins Erskine Spittal Doolan Since I posted the above, we have signed Joe Cardle and Ally Roy. Suspect that Cardle may take Erskine's place and Roy will come off the bench.