Winter of '63

Thanks AJ - there's a lesson for me...either get there in time or stay at home and avoid the pain.

I was late today and heard the cheers for Morton's Goal as I was at the turnstile. Maybe Morton sat in after that but they looked like a relegation side as we plodded laboriously for the rest of the half with plenty possession and no goal threat. We improved after the break but still managed to contrive to lose to a breakaway sucker punch from our misplaced cross when we were well on top. Three at the back can be an effective formation when at least one of the players is good on the ball. In the first half, we shunted the ball slowly along the back line giving Morton plenty of time to pack their defence. In the second half, we were better with two rather than three poor central defenders. It would be an interesting statistic to find out how many times possession is lost after a McGinty "pass". Elliot was rightly criticised for his early season form but he had a decent game today and our midfield was ok - McCarthy made some tackles and passes and Slater and Spittal had some good moments - we have Banzo to come back and I don't see where Harkins fits in unless he plays sweeper. Doolan and Erskine don't look as if they are enjoying their football. One of the current coaching cliches is "game awareness" - Storey has absolutely none...crosses without looking, runs into blind alleys, can't find a team mate with a simple pass and has no positional sense. He starts every week. Some Posters have previously claimed to have seen signs of improvement under Caldwell...my view is that the current squad properly managed and motivated should at worst be around the promotion play off spot..we are now in serious danger of being relegated.

Gary Harkins and Kallum Higgenbotham are my two favourite Thistle Players of this Century for sheer entertainment value...and the performance by Gary for Dundee in a sleet-storm on a mudheap pitch at Firhill two seasons ago was the best by any opposition player I saw during our 5 seasons in the Top League. However, I am underwhelmed by this signing...I would far rather see Chris Erskine play in that role behind the main striker(s) - you couldn't play both of them. Bannigan, Slater and Spittal are all better options as attacking midfielders. We need 3 competent central defenders, cover for both full back positions, a decent defensive midfielder (since McCarthy apparently doesn't merit a start) and a forward who can score goals and create more chances than Storey(not a high bar). These are all obvious and urgent priorities...Gary Harkins is a luxury item, years past his best who doesn't seem to fit into our current team structure.

Has anyone seen any sign of this play it out from the back style?

Bone-chillingly dreich and dismal...and the weather was awful too. The most worrying thing was that we didn't look a better side than Alloa in any department. Jeffries, Scobbie and McGinty are very ordinary players of relegation standard. I don't know anything about football tactics but there were obvious flaws - three central defenders whose use of the ball is poor, our wing backs were pinned back, our midfield was short-handed and our forwards unable to link up. In contrast, for their second goal Alloa were able to find space with quick passes on the right wing and then their striker had time to turn and hit a decent shot untroubled by our defenders. It was a clear strategy to allow McGinty time and space on the ball...it's not entirely his fault as there were not enough options but he must have given away possession about thirty times with hoofs up the park. Jim Goodwin was one of my three preferred choices for manager when Archie left...his part-time side with a fraction of our budget was far better organised and motivated than us today. Caldwell has failed already - a promotion play-off place was the minimum acceptable standard. His substitution of Doolan was inexplicable - we needed a goal but took off our only striker. Storey is brainless and useless but plays every week - what was in Caldwell's Dossier that so impressed our Board? Spittal had another good game but if Banzo leaves in January - and why would he stay - we are genuine relegation candidates...the ultimate insult will be being replaced by Dick"The Dick" Campbell's Arbroath.

Ian Spittal who I think is Blair's father played for Thistle in the 1980's

I'm not sure what to make of that today. Yet again my heart sank when I saw the line-up...Dunfermline hit the woodwork twice, Sneddon has two good saves and they failed to hit the target with a few decent chances...but it still felt like a reasonably comfortable win. Dunfermline were a poor side and it confirmed that the current squad properly organised and motivated should be nearer the top than bottom of this League...Bannigan is too good to be playing at this level, Spittal had a fine game, Penrice was good going forward if a bit dopey sometimes in defence and Elliot looked much better. Not sure about Scobbie and can't say I noticed Jeffries do anything but we kept a clean sheet. Mutombo showed one great bit of skill but was otherwise wasteful...I'm not sure we will see much more of him. Storey scored!!...though from Camallain's video it didn't look as if it crossed the line...and he failed to score with three one-on-ones with the Keeper. The win should give a badly-needed confidence boost so let's hope it's onwards and upwards...we couldn't have gone any further downwards.

Storey has managed 3 Goals in about 50 appearances. I mentioned this is a recent Match Thread but can anyone remember any goal where he has had an assist? I genuinely can't think of a single one.

Listened to Radio Scotland - Alan Preston and Derek Ferguson made the obvious points - underachieving with these players - we're poor and lack confidence - slow build-up with no penetration - no service to Doolan - Storey is hopeless - better with Erskine on. Falkirk Manager gave a realistic assessment of his team's performance - Caldwell said we were fantastic, etc. It's early days but I'm having serious doubts about Caldwell - he's continued Archie's failings and added some more.

Bannigan, Fraser, Osman & Dumbuya were on the long-term injury list last season and were all expected to return after the Winter Break in January...for a variety of reasons, they barely kicked a ball for us...just about their only noteworthy contribution was Gary Fraser blasting the ball into the stand at Parkhead and whacking a Celtic fan, If any one of them had got back to anywhere near the form they were capable of, we wouldn't have been relegated.

I wasn't exactly feeling positive but we were reasonably good in the first half today and though we fell out of things in the second half, we probably deserved at least a draw - a penalty miss and unfortunately young Fitzpatrick made a mess of a great late chance set up by Doolan. Spittal was very good in the first half with a tremendous run and pass,,,but reverted to his more usual form in the second half. Likewise Storey fired in a couple of decent crosses early on but did little after the break - his scoring record is pathetic and I don't remember him ever having an assist. It was disappointing that in the second half, we seemed edgy in possession and hit too many aimless long balls to our small front men but the team and individual performances were ok - we didn't look like a relegation team but we have just got into the habit of losing. With Storey & Spittal both playing wide, Inverness had a lot of space to play through the midfield but it least we weren't the absolute shambles we looked from the highlights from Cappielow. We have a core of decent players and the jury is very much out on Caldwell...played 4 - lost 4 and in the relegation play-off position - if we had won these four, which shouldn't have been beyond us, we would have been in the play-off spot for promotion. It wasn't a big turn-out of Thistle fans but they were admirably supportive. I'm not sure that will last if we don't get a win very soon.

I criticised posters last year who were making judgements on players and the manager when they weren't at the game...and I thought that Gary Caldwell was a reasonable choice as manager if only because I didn't want McIntyre or Hughes. However, I did fear he might be like Derek Whyte - a top level playing career despite never looking particularly great and a well-scrubbed but bland media persona who talked a good game but totally failed to deliver as Thistle manager. I wasn't at Cappielow, but the early signs are worrying - I have shaken my head at each of Caldwell's three team selections and the results and performances have been awful. I thought any manager would almost immediately have identified the obvious flaws - that Storey has started all 3 games makes me wonder. McGinty is a mediocre player but like the rest of our back four there isn't another option. If the reports that his substitution was tactical, this looks like an appalling managerial decision...then playing the hapless Elliot at centre back seems absurd. The apparent threats of a clear out in January are hardly conducive to building confidence and a team-spirit. The recruitment for this season was very poor and we have an unbalanced squad. Penrice was highly regarded on loan at East Fife and Livingston but has looked uncertain, the rest of the back four needs upgrading. I wouldn't be disappointed to see Mutombo, Storer and Storey move on. However, Bannigan, Slater, Erskine & Doolan are certainly good Championship Players, McCarthy and Fitzpatrick have looked well worth their places and Quitongo and Coulibally if fit are surely good enough at this level I don't go along with the idea that we are somehow going to find a whole team of better quality players in January - Mark Ridgers, Danny Devine, James Craigen, Mark Kerr & Declan McDaid are all regulars in teams higher up the League than us but I don't think they would improve our team - Ian McCall is getting the most out of his players...there is no sign that Caldwell is on the right course to get the best out of our squad despite having far superior resources. We may of course be looking back in May on the Morton result as a low point as we celebrate the great turnaround which brought us a spectacular promotion...but somehow I doubt it.

As against Alloa, Gary Caldwell's team selection raised an eyebrow...and I can't say it's worked out well for him so far. It's early days but there was little to be positive about today's performance...already it looks likely to be at best a season when we finish among the also-rans in the Division when it shouldn't be that difficult to reach a play-off spot - Ayr were pretty ordinary today but are almost out of sight. It was an even and uninspiring game but there was no danger of us equalising after they scored. Of the players I like, Banzo had perhaps his poorest game , Penrice was uncertain and Erskine didn't do much when he came on...of the rest, Elliot & Storey had better games but I actually thought Storey had been subbed in the second half because he completely disappeared. Quitongo looked completely isolated in the 4-3-3 formation and Mtumbo, Spittal and Storer did not contribute nearly enough. There is no sign of a brave new era yet...the only thing on the up at Firhill just now is a sense of apathy.

This appointment ticks a lot of boxes so credit to the Board. Gary Caldwell had a distinguished playing career and has management experience - he comes over as a man with a plan who puts a degree of thought and planning into his role. I don't know anything about his assistant Brian Kerr but it looks a shrewd move to bring in someone with local knowledge. Partick Thistle are a club with a sound financial base, a Board who are not trigger happy with managers, there will be a new Training Facility and there is an untapped fan base - it's a fantastic opportunity for a manager to make his name. We also have some good players in the squad - Bannigan, Erskine, Doolan, Slater and Bell are decent professionals and Penrice, McCarthy, Quitongo and Fitzpatrick have talent which can be developed. The defence badly needs sorting but a former Scotland central defender should be able to improve this although he will need a transfer window. A play-off place with a team which has a realistic chance of going up is an achievable target - anything less will be something of a disappointment. Thistle should always be a top flight club or at least seriously challenging to get there...we can't afford to slip back to the mediocrity of every manager except Lambie from Benny Rooney to Dick Campbell. Gary talks the talk...let's hope he can walk the walk...good luck to him!

Unfortunately, Archie's legacy of an unbalanced squad will hamstring the club at least until the next transfer window regardless of who the new manager is. Dundee Utd looked a very slick outfit for the first hour - by a distance the best team I've seen at Firhill this season and I suspect they will win the League comfortably. The last half hour was encouraging though, with the eleven who finished the game possibly our strongest side...though there were two decent crosses from the right which Doolan might have finished...he's hardly had a decent pass or cross all season. Banzo didn't have a great day and culpable for their second goal. We need a better option at right back...and I hope never to see Storey play for Thistle again - his failure to play a simple pass to put either Slater or Bannigan clean through was a particular low point. I enjoyed booing Adam Barton. There is real potential both at the Club and in some of our players but it is vital to get the right choice for the new manager to get a positive reaction. The turnout from Thistle fans for what should have been the most attractive home fixture of the season is worrying - personally, I think we need someone fresher and more inspiring than Jim McIntyre or any of the Usual Suspects.

It was an absolutely unequivocal no from Ian McCall on Radio Scotland - he wanted to return to Firhill in some capacity in the future but he would not take over from Archie. He had some other interesting things to say:- He wished he had told Archie to walk away at the end of last season He thought Jim McIntyre, John Hughes or Jim Duffy would make good choices as manager but more than most clubs the manager had to be the right fit for Thistle. He didn't understand how anyone living in Glasgow could support any team other than Thistle. My own preferences were Neilson, McCall or Jim Goodwin...so that's two down. I'd be completely underwhelmed by any of McCall's 3 suggestions or most of the other names being bandied about.

A sad day but the appropriate decision. I commented after the Queen of the South game that our home performances last season and this had saved Archie as the really awful displays had been away - the lacklustre show today was the end. I thought that Archie's record merited giving him to the end of last season and really hoped that he would turn it round this season after his reprieve. However, his failure to field an effective midfield last season and the poor quality of defenders this season was just poor management. Archie is a real Thistle man and always acted with dignity. Unfortunately he eventually came up a bit short but the top 6 finish was a fine achievement and the wins against Morton to clinch promotion and against Hearts at Tynecastle to stay up are two of my best memories of supporting Thistle.

An insipid performance from a team lacking in direction. County didn't have to be particularly good to trouble our defence - they scored from yet another defensive blunder and a soft penalty and defended efficiently for a comfortable victory - I haven't been so bored at a game since St Johnstone were last at Firhill. Bannigan, Erskine, Slater & Spittal are all good footballers with the ability to be challenging at the top of the league but the balance of the side is not right. Elliot has always lacked the guile to beat a defender or make an incisive pass or cross and now repeatedly passes the ball backwards to kill the momentum of attacks. Storey annoys me more than any Thistle player since Leigh Hinds - he received the ball in good positions on three occasions and failed to even get the ball into the box...his only other contribution was to get in Penrice's way. We make space on the wings but carry no threat. Losing O'Wear was s blow but the defensive recruitment has been appalling - Elliot, Keown and McGinty aren't very good but we have no alternatives. My thoughts when leaving the game were that it was the end of the road for Archie...while typing this, I found out that it is.

Entertaining first half, tense second half. Banzo and Slater ran the game early on and we passed the ball well but still contrived to lose 2 slack goals. Pleased for Spittal - he has taken a lot of criticism but there is a decent player there - thumping goal and great pass at end for Storey's horrible miss. Back 4 picks itself - there's nobody else which is a worry. Elliot was very poor again - not good in defence and not a threat going forward - our style of play needs good crosses from the wings - he and Storey don't deliver. Home performances have saved Archie - the really awful results have been away - good 3 points but we don't have promotion look

Kris Doolan came over very well in an interview on BBC Sportsound this evening - articulate, measured and with a sense of humour - "It's the first time I've scored a Goal and won a throw-in." He also made the point that we were relegated last season by one goal. He is a real credit to himself and the club - a good player and a very good guy. Ian McColl was one of the studio pundits - he mentioned that he had never seen Chris Erskine so angry. I get more agitated when officials bottle decisions against big clubs but this was just bizarre incompetence. I can't say I'm surprised at the absence of a gracious apology from Neil Doncaster and the SPFL - the suggestion that the match officials donate their match fees to the Beatson is a good one. With Christie Elliot's mazy dribble along the bye line against Ayr a few weeks ago, it does make you wonder if there is a force field at that end of the ground which scrambles people's brains.

A decent performance and a welcome victory after the unsettling transfer window. Some good quick incisive passing from Penrice and Slater and a good finish by Erskine - I think we will have some good attacking options if everyone is ever fit. McGinty may turn out to be a better player than he initially looked but in what looks likely to be a very tight division, the lack of real quality and cover for injuries and suspensions at the back could be the fatal flaw although we don't yet have the look of a title winning or even promotion side. Big Brice after a rusty start came on to a strong game and played like a less musclebound version of Osman; Slater is a good footballer and it was great to see Bannigan remind us that he is a class act...particularly after some appalling and stupid comments on this forum this week. I was never a fan of Elliot but I was surprised by how well he had done at full back despite his inability to take on defender but he has been poor defensively this season - and we don't have another right back. Spittal is increasingly frustrating - he has ability but has to take on more responsibility - he keeps calling for the ball only to play it straight back again. Storey can't see a pass and has no end product. Every Thistle Fan will remember this game for the Goal That Never Was - the linesman must be feeling a proper fud after seeing the replay but the Ref was standing within a few feet from Doolan when he hit the shot - how could they not see the ball go in or even realise from the reaction of the players that it was a goal? I felt sorry for Doolan - it was a thumping shot. A second goal would have made it a more comfortable afternoon...and given that we were relegated by one goal last season let's hope it just remains nothing more that one of Firhill's more bizarre episodes.

I think the Thistle Player in the top photograph is Donnie McDowall - I don't remember seeing him play but he was a youngster who was in team photos around 1970/71 - he was a 5ft 5inch striker which was probably why he never made the grade. This must have been a reserve game.

I wasn't listening particularly closely but I think it was Alan Preston who mentioned on Radio Scotland yesterday that Ryan Edwards was sitting nearby in the stand at Tynecastle - he commented that there were other Hearts midfielders returning from injury who would be preferred to him and that Edwards would be no more than a squad player. Edwards always tried but I was surprised when Hearts signed him...he and Barton were a midfield combination of relegation calibre.

I was at that game - it was a Cup Replay played on a Wednesday afternoon during the Miners'Strike/3 day week - no floodlight games permitted because of the fuel shortage. I don't recognise any of the Hearts players in the photo but do remember Donald Ford was brilliant in that game - probably the best individual performance I've seen from an opposition player at Firhill - a goal and three assists, setting up a tap-in hat-trick for Willie Gibson who I think subsequently played (not very well ) for Thistle as did his son. Tommy Rae scored a lot of goals for Thistle in his first spell...and hardly any for Aberdeen when he was transferred. I just remember him from his second spell at Firhill - he wasn't very good but he was in the category of "faithful club servant".

Much better performance and a deserved win although Falkirk were a poor side - we are short of players but I prefer giving our youngsters a chance than their job lot of anonymous English Lower League Plodders. O'Ware and Slater are decent signings who are an upgrade on Devine and Edwards...Penrice and Gordon stepped up their games...Spittal and Storer threatened a few times but didn't quite open up their defence. I'm not convinced that Elliot is good enough at right back nor that Storey is a sole striker...his pace did stretch their defence but he fired in crosses to no one and was caught offside umpteen times. Erskine had an excellent game...I'm sure Denis McQuade would have enjoyed seeing the goal...reminiscent of one of his specials. A moving tribute to the Partick Thistle Legend, David McParland and great to see most of the 1971 team back at Firhill...it brought back some wonderful memories...and reminded me that supporting your team is far more than just about a game. Jury still out about the prospects for the season.