read'n'yell

Got to remember a month or two before the end of last season. These same journalists had us down as ending up in the playoff place before Well. They don't know anything. However, if we don't sign a striker then I fear they are right. Goals/assists by Higgy and O'Donnell over the last two years have kept us in this league. Added by the vast improvement Taylor makes in terms of physicality and holding possession. I don't think we will go down, but it might be tough. Really excited by Welsh - always been a favourite of mine. Cerny will be a good keeper. Miller is more than able. Amoo could prove to be more efficient than Higgy. Given game time, Fraser has a lot to offer (got a feeling his time may be limited which is a real shame as he is probably our only 500k plus player). Sign a (good) striker and this will be another positive year.

Exactly, been a fair few bad comments towards Higgy, O'Donnell and Fox (although in his case it's probably just). Often fans say players won't be missed. Excited to see this guy and hope he signs. Pace is all you need in this league.

Seaborne and Frans has huge potential as a partnership. Seaborne needs to just calm down a little and trust his team mates rather than trying to do everything himself - which is a good problem to have as it's easy to tone back.

Can't judge a player on one mistake.

Its only £25 if you are not willing to sit in the kids zone - its free in the family zone. If this isn't acceptable then for £1.30 a game you can pick any seat - seems pretty reasonable.

People forget Fraser is only 20 and has only got about 50 matches to his name. Remember what Erskine, Bannigan, Balatoni etc were like after 50 games? Probably not even deserving of championship level. He's extremely young and certainly is not going to be in a make or break position in football at the old age of 21. It's been hard for him with Banzo and Osman first on the teamsheet each week, just needs to bide his time after a slow season.

Apologies, you are right - Bannigan is here till end of next season. Just with all the speculation of him going to United mixing my head up. I'll rephrase it to "I hope we keep him". Osman most important signing of the close season probably and will hopefully convince a few others to join up.

Anyone aware of Gardynes future at Tannadice? Is he free to go? Imagine it won't be for a few weeks before news of any potential new players come about. As usual think we will get the leftovers come the start of the new season. But as Seaborne and Osman then Higgy/ Osbourne last season proved there can be great finds from players not getting that Championship or good League One move.

Great news if both Booth and Abdul are signed for next year. Bannigan/O'Donnell/Higgy are they key three for me. Although I'd obviously want Lawless and Balatoni too. If we can swap Fox for MacDonald I'd bite who's ever hand off that was giving that deal. Would love Taylor back also.

Really pleased Booth has been signed up.

To be fair every goal can be stopped as Alan Hansen used to always say. Bit of a believer that team defensive mistakes (our goal) are as bad as individual defensive mistakes (accies goal) but for some reason individual errors are usually picked on as poor goals. No doubt it was an awful goal but they had quite a few chances so can't complain too much when they score one like that, create you own luck etc etc. Slightly made me feel better it was O'Donnell that made the mistake. Just trying to be positive but I do agree with your point. Cutting out goals like that is what makes St Jonstone and Caley top six teams and us a bottom six.

Our current form (last 10 games) would of seen us sitting in second place. Got a feeling we will be watching quite a different team next year going by rumours.

Interesting to see what will happen. We have Frans and Seaborne as our main centre backs with Lindsay and Richards-Everton as back up - think Archie will just go with that? With Seaborne's injury it would put Lindsay into a serious role. I think he will come good and is probably ready but a bit of a risk. Imagine Archie won't be increasing Balatoni's contract offer given we have quite a few centre backs anyway but would be a big loss given his recent form, and more importantly, his playing relationship with Frans.

Craigen in for Osman - must be forced change. I'd of went for Fraser but we've got a very good record with Craigen in the team. Listening to open all mics, talking about Kilmarnock always looking like the team could end up dragged into the playoffs. Only a couple of weeks ago Killie were meant to be safe and we were 'always likely' to end up there. Got a good feeling today, a win would be great.

Yeh, I did mention Stevenson is new to the team and was played out of position up front when he arrived - he isn't a striker. Although he didn't have the best starts, I think his form at the beginning wasn't as bad as some made out. I said from the first couple of times I saw him that he would turn out good. The team as a whole actually played quite well at the start of the season when he was up top. To be honest I think every player has had poor spells this season and the only one who's poor spell was very short (perhaps more down to the team) is Osman. Which I guess is why he is winning the poll comfortably. Anyway, this season more than any year I can recall, I would struggle to pick a top player. It has been a team effort, which is what we all want.

Surprised anyone could go with Lawless given he had a couple months where he did very little. Of late he has been excellent, however got to think of the season as a whole. McDaid and Elliot managed to keep him out the team for a fair while! Likewise O'Donnell had a couple months where everyone was calling for him to be dropped. They've both turned it around since though. I still think Stevo but thin line between him and Osman. Personally with Stevo going to be here next year I think he'd benefit more to receive it. Will push him even harder next season. I've added a poll on request. Put the six players mentioned so far - apologies if anyone wants to give it to someone outwith the selection.

Not been on the forum much recently, so apologies if there is already a topic. It's that time of the season again and I was wondering what people's thoughts are for our play of the year? In my opinion there is only four candidates - Balatoni, Osman, Bannigan and Stevenson (though all starting players vs St Mirren have had great seasons overall). (my thinking - I exclude O'Donnell as he had some sticky spells during the first half of the season as well as a few very poor games around Christmas so just misses out my short-list. Frans/ Seaborne both haven't played enough although if Frans keeps his present form into next season I think he will be a cert for poty given our defensive record whilst he plays. The two goalies have been good, but split the work (special mention for Fox who now deserves the number one after having it taken away). Higgy been good recently but inconsistent overall, as with Lawless. Neither Doolan nor Taylor have done enough individually to win it.) Balatoni comes 4th for me as he had a tricky spell in the first half of the season which resulted in losing his place to Frans/Seaborne. Out of Banzo and Osman, I'd say Osman has been more consistent over the season so would edge it into second, though on his day Banzo is unplayable. But for me, the player of the year should be Stevenson. After a tricky spell at the start where he got asked to play up front out of position, I think he has had the highest work rate of all our players. He covers every blade of grass and fights for the team. He does this with that bit of class and skill that has proven invaluable since he has been played behind the striker. If everyone gave the commitment of Stevenson (which they have the last 10 games I think) then we'd win far more than we'd lose. His improvement has been immense over the season and is now probably my first name on the team sheet. Anyone other thoughts ? Anyone know when voting takes place ?

Just having a moment to look at the league and it has sunk in just how well we have done this year. Archie and all the team deserve a huge credit. It got me thinking that it really is a good time to be a Jag, so I looked back on how we have faired over the last 5/6 years (after the St Johnstone getting promoted season). Turns out every year (almost) we have improved. I can't imagine us finishing on less than 45 points this season, I really think we should be pushing for top six next year. 8th spfl 14-15 | +4 GD | 41 points (so far) 10th spfl 13-14 | -19 GD | 38 points 1st champ 12-13 | +48 GD | 78 points 6th champ 11-12 | +11 GD | 47 points 5th champ 10-11| +5 GD | 47 points 6th champ 09-10 | +3 GD | 48 points Anyway it's a great time to support Thistle and hope more fans start turning out as the club has gone from strength to strength and deserves our backing. Couldn't really ask for more.

Same team as last time. It's a great team and the reason is there are NO weak links. One player who is a weak link in this tight league can have a huge effect on how the overall game pans out. The odd misplaced pass, the poor back tracking etc. Our starting team doesn't have any weak links now. Hopefully win and secure our top flight status (mathematically). Hope Hamilton/ Killie is a draw so we gain on both of them and a Motherwell win would be a perfect Saturday.

Same as ThickAsThieves, voted O'Donnell but think it should be Mallon. Our defending for the County goal was diabolical in the cheap pass to give away possession and then the awful attempt at back tracking. In the past now though.

No point watching it, stopped last season. I watch the 5 min highlights on bbc of each game takes half an hour to watch and its solid football. None of this 40 mins, half of which is awful commentary.

Well I'm glad we ironed that one out. I know it's Monday tomorrow but cheer up.

I wouldn't class suggesting we could get a better footballer than Elliott as nonsense. Said I'd keep every other player, so hardly a wind up is it.

Care to elaborate?

I'd take Kyle Hutton back, he hasn't had a decent run at Rangers and that whole club is just poison. Booing Lee McCulloch, who has 200 odd games and stuck by them when all their other players went off for the money down south, for just one mistake. Hutton is big, strong, fast, can pass a ball. I'd also like us to try and get Gardyne. He's the biggest reason for County's recent form in my opinion, creates everything for them. Hope we don't go for any 'utility' players, we have a big enough squad for two/three players in every position - never like a player that can play right back, left back, right wing, left wing etc etc, usually means they aren't brilliant at any. It's difficult this season for teams like us, as usually the Aberdeen, United, Hibs, Hearts etc of the league would release bit part players who would be good enough for bottom six teams. This year (and last year) we don't have that aspect of players filtering down. Archie has now had four windows in charge and he has been good with his signings in the last few.