Lanarkjag

Very impressive 3-0 win. I have to admit, before this game I was worried - was this going to be typical Thistle, great start to the season and blow it against a side that we should be beating. I'll get the bad points out the way first. We had a shakey start to the match, we didn't look to comfortable from the kick off at the back and the first few minutes looked a little nervy. We did allow Dumbarton into the game towards the end of the first half, and there was some slack defending, especially for Dumbartons big chance that they really should have scored. Super save from Fox. Didn't start the 2nd half particularly well - Dumbarton came out with a bit of fight and when hassling us just forced long aimless balls forward. The big no 9 did well against us - he won more than his fair share in the air and caused Muirhead all sorts of problems. Was surprised when he was taken off. That is me being hyper critical, although I feel better sides might just punish our occasional defnsive slackness. RIght - on to the good stuff. Some of the football was outstanding. There is a real confidence on the ball and the players are wanting it. We are patient in the build up, but we are also a very direct side with the choice of long ball being well executed. The movement of players when we have possession is excellent and they are all working hard at getting the ball back when we lose it. The latter point is probably more significant, we didn't give Dumabrton time on the ball and it paid dividends. We seemed to be happy in the second half to allow Dumbarton a bit of possession and hit on the break, and it worked superbly. When we got forward it was in numbers and more importantly we looked very dangerous. Defensively, apart from the points above, we were pretty sound, and they really only had the one effort in the first half for Fox's save and a half chance near the end. First goal was superb. Paton (I think - it could have been O'Donnell) put a brilliant long pass out wide to Bannigan who planted it on Doolans head. If Erskine's effort had gone in before half time that would have the best goal I have witnessed at Firhill. Awsome passing and movement all from our own byline! Great play by Paton for the second and a good finish from Erskine - who wasn't his best but worked his socks off today and still got a goal and an assist. The third was just a brilliant counter attack and Bannigan deserved the goal - he was immense today. We could at least have had a couple more today as well. Bannigan for me was a different class. If he keeps on improving he could go on to be something special! edit: If we can perform like this against Hamilton in the cup and at home, then I will start believing. As it is, I am getting uncharactaristically optimistic for a Thistle fan

Had a season ticket for the enclosure that season and was right up at the City end that game. We had at least three goals disallowed for offside and Don missed the penalty. I spent most of the game screaming at the linesman whose offside decisions were distinctly dodgy. Nicky Henderson scored the penalty for Cowdenbeath.

I think it may have just been a celebration of the fact that we managed to retain possession of the ball for almost 2 minutes - something I imagine has never happened before in the history of the club (tongue in cheek btw )

Really impressed with that, although the highlights don't really tell the whole story. Looked really dangerous on the break in the second half, but the possession in the first was superb. Just hope that Dumbarton don't dash the optimism that seems to be appearing around the place. If we beat them on Saturday then I might just start to believe - the banana skins are our traditional downfall

I agree. We should punt the ball forward immediately so we lose possession earlier

If you want a decent real ale pub the Bon Accord at Charing X just above the M8 (Mitchell Library side) is superb. They also have some Jags stuff kicking around the pub as well IIRC. We should beat Dumbarton easily - this usually means that we will lose in true Partick Thistle style (is it not a club tradition?). Would love to be there but have other commitments over the weekend that clash. Boo

Not overly surprised it happened, especially with the game being at Easter Road (and that is in no way condoning it). What is staggering to me though, is that the guy was playing SPL football last season and never got near the squad. Now he has moved to Sevco he is suddenly good enough to play for his country. I cannot see the logic there at all.

I've been trying to get a job reporting for the BBC and Sky

Him as well I meant Craigen but hey ho - I thought it was Craigen that scored - not that I'm bothered which player it was

Strange, strange game which sums up perfectly the emotional rollercoaster ride of being a Thistle fan. We completely controlled the game up until Queens scored, and could have been at least two goals up. No real blame for their first - there wont be many better goals this season. Good finish by Sinclair for our first and the second was a really good team move, Elliots deft flick finding the corner. We were rank rotten the start of the second half - we just looked really shaky at the back so it was no surprise they equalised. Great work by Erskine for our 3rd, but again we were poor defending set pieces and lost another two stupid goals. Sublime goal by Cairney in off the post and a great finish by Erskine to win it. Incredible game. Defence - Pish. We really lacked something at the back and looked nervous all night, although I thought Sinclair had a good game Midfield - at times superb, Lawless looks a class apart from others in the team when he came on. Erskine drifted in and out of the game after replacing Walsh (not a serious injury I hope), but in general looked very dangerous. Attack - Elliot got a goal but both him and McGuigan didn't really look the part for me. At times we played some brilliant football, but we have serious issues at the back. Still, great entertainment - and I really hope the Queens 14 pus is tripping him..wee prick

Great result. Best atmosphere at Firhill for a very long time, and from the Shed end the JHS looked pretty full. The game - great start - the first goal really was a great move and finish. The second we caught their defence all over the place and it was good we hit back so soon after their goal. Foxy was certainly at fault for their goal (fair play to the Falkirk player for spotting the chance though), but he more than made up for it the rest of the game with at least 3 really important stops. Overall, Falkirk had most of the ball and played some pretty stuff, but that said, for the majority of the game never really caused us any great problems - we looked pretty comfortable in defence. That was until we had the shakey spell in the second half where they played a little more direct with Archie and Muirhead getting caught on a couple of occasions (that's why we have a decent keeper though ) We took our chances really well. I thought we could have retained the ball a bit better at times although our direct(er) approach did cause them quite a few problems. The midfield battled and harried well and players movement was in general very good. Played some really good posession stuff at the end of the first half which, apart from the 1st 10 minutes, was our most dangerous looking spell in the game. Some of the distribution from the back could also have been better at times, which didn't really help us when Falkirk were on top second half. Pleasing performance with plenty of positives and things to work on. Cautiously optimistic. On a side - does anyone else find Shaun Welsh reminding them of Albert Craig?

We let Rangers into the 1st division - We become a turkey voting for Christmas. Scottish football is a sham as it is. I am certainly not going to spend my hard earned cash watching a game that has been rigged, just so we can scrabble around in the mud for the foetid leftovers that are so generously left to the 40 clubs in Scotland that are the shit on the shoe of the old firm.

If this happens, I am finished with Thistle and Scottish football. This farce has been running on and on with the SPL and SFA seemingly to scared to make any sort of decision. This is an organisation that has ridden roughshod over the rest of Scottish Football, without conscience and with its own self interest at the heart of its agenda. It now wants all those it viewed as a minor inconvenience to bend over backwards to allow it to survive - debt free and with as few minor sanctions as possible, all so that they can elicit a swift return to the status quo. Scottish football, even before this carnival started, was a laughing stock and a farce. Now the chairman of "my" club has stated that he is quite happy to accommodate the biggest cheats in Scottish Footballs history for financial gain. The sham of any sort of competition will be lost, with the rest of the clubs scrambling around for the dregs from the "old firm" table, but this time everyone will know that every single club in Scotland is taking part in a rigged competition - because we "can't afford to let Rangers Die". Bollocks. Sevco in SFL1 - I am never setting foot inside a Scottish Football Stadium again

Please just hurry up and die so all non-old firm fans can have a party

It is nice that they have recognised that the SFA are impartial Are they perhaps advocating stronger sanctions against their club? Edit: I never thought I would see the word MASS in anything relating to rangers

GK, Craig Nelsons column 02, Bobby Law Hospital 03, Jerry Stirling Castle 04, Andy Anders(t)on Bus Station 05, Ian Spittal of Glenshee 06, Gary Peebles Hydro 07, Paul Kinnaird Head 08, Brian Hamilton Accies 09, Mo Johnston Bypass 10, Bobby Houston Brewery 11, Jim Melrose Sevens Subs. 12, Robert Torrance Inn 14, Chris Erskine Bridge 15, Steven Dallas Cowboys 16, Brian Ralston Estate 17, Andy Roxburgh Castle GK, Mark Cairns at the top of the hill How's that?

Firhill Ultra Cabal Kappas, Wildly Idiotic Thistle Supporters

Great post, and one that is hard not to agree with. Would love to see a return to 15:00 football for everyone on a Saturday, TV now has far too much control over the game. Also, does anyone else lament the loss of the old "Derby Days"?

If you havn't tried it, let the whole vid load up first - was having the same problem - when I left it to load it ended up playing

While the tone of the article is encouraging, I remain to be convinced that there is a will to do what is right for Scottish Football. What we could end up with is a real mess that is no good for anyone, due to the rampant self interest that is prevelent in the game.

The crux of the problem that is standing in the way of reconstruction is the old firm. I dislike the old firm immensly, but I can't say I'm that keen on clubs going out of business, although having read some of the utter bile on a certain Rankers Forum I'm beginning to rethink this! Here are a few thoughts: 1. The status quo requires a 4 old firm games a season - the SPL seem to think any deal with less will be crippling 2. Chairmen in the SPL are very retiscent to lose their minimum of 3 Old Firm gates a season. 3. Fans are sick of wathcing their team play the same teams year in year out 4 - 8 times a season. 4. While the status quo remains attendance figures are only going to head in one direction. An analagy - you are a member of a club that only holds internal competition (snooker, bowls, sailing - whatever). Your club only has 12 competitors, two of whom have only ever won the championship and have been given too much influence over the running of the club. There is only ever one change of compititor each year, if you are are lucky. How long would it be before you got fed up and went somewhere else? Solutions The demise of Rankers could be the best thing to happen to Scottish Football in decades. This would take away the "need" for the Old Firm and the TV deal that is the biggest stumbling block. With no vested interest the league size (16-18 teams) can be increased and opened up to others in the game. A bigger league would see traditionally stronger clubs (dare I say Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen, Dundee Utd) develop into perennial fixtures in the top flight, eventually providing the extra competition needed at the top of the table. Smaller clubs, like ourselves, would be able to develop and improve competitiveness. With regular promotion/relegation (2 automatic and 1 playoff place) the turnover of teams in each division increases thereby gradually improving the overall standard. WIth increased competition, both in the SPL and 1st division, fans would return to watch their club compete for something worthwhile. 18 team SPL - 3 relegation spots 18 team 1st Div - 2 Automatic Promotion - 1 Playoff (a la Championship) - 3 relegation places (Possibly Intermediate division here) 2 Regional Divisions and a pyramid system below this.

Really interesting read. Thanks for the link

Surprised no-one has started singing "Always look on the bright side of life"

You forgot the "we immediately boot the ball out of play"

It is frustrating at times (well most of the time) watching Thistle, and generally I think that the fans get behind the team when the are working hard and putting the effort in. What kills it at times - we have a kick off, the fans are making a lot of noise, it looks like the game is going to have a good atmosphere and there is a real sense of anticipation. We kick off, and three seconds later the ball is booted out of play and the backing is killed stone dead.