Juanito

Since it was mentioned being locked in the ball boy's room in Sandy Clark's reign (midweek game) as he ripped the players apart for another poor performance, after about 30 minutes the ball boys left on mass, past the players, I remember that one of the boys said to a raging Sandy' you're not as scary as my mum and she's waiting outside', to much laughter from the players. He didn't last long after that.

Good Luck Archie. Never before have Thistle ever had any interest in transfer deadline day but we seem to be in for 3 players. I remember turning up for the first game of the season under Lambie and trying to find out who the curly haired guy warming up was (Callum Campbell).

Sometimes can't really believe this forum, must be the pre season boredom. Passed by Garscube on saturday, all the players except injured few (Bannigan, Welsh) took part in training and were having a good laugh with each other and the management team between sets, Gabby and a few others completed all training and got changed when the game set up was worked on for those travelling to Belfast on Sunday. Had a chat with him when I met him later down the clydeside, seemed in good form, players move on big wow.

Just notice that yesterday Carlisle United anounced 11 free's and Prince Buaben is among them.

Pauls Mathers was at the game on Tuesday night videotaping our defensive set up at corners and free kicks, so I would suspect that the St.Mirren will again try to implement a similar game plan to the one at Firhill. Big game for both teams.

Local amateur team North Kelvin United, train on the pitches sometimes and have been lobbying the council to upgrade them with out success for a few years now, they also have a shop up near the ground and run a fair number of kids games on the pitches.

Looked at the highlights as well and I see no intent from Archie to headbutt Imrie, if anything a shoulder barge which went wrong.??

Really frustrated watching this team, some really good performances every week and some really bad, last night Elliot, Paton, Hutton and the defence were good. But Erskine, O'donnell and Stewart were poor. Cairney off I presume injured. Can't seem to take enough of the chances created to win games, the final ball, crossing and shooting is terrible but again they really should be about 10 pts better off than they are. Years since we had a good physical striker.

The problem isn't that Archie and Balatoni (Kinniburgh) have turned into poor defenders overnight it is that the system they are being asked to play exposes there lack of pace as a weakness. Since pre-season I noticed that our back four were being asked to play 10-20 yards further up the pitch than they were in the last two seasons, its a ploy that will cost us goals this season, so far two sendings off and several goals that I have seen have come from hopeful punts over the top. Not sure tactically its that benefical either as with Elliot we have genuine pace and Erskine who works better with space to move into counter attack football would seem to suit our players?

As every team in the league is going to have to cut its wage bill next season, as in the Archie thread, a reduced wage is a reality if you are out of contract, unless you are willing to take the chance of holding out and going on trial in pre-season. Would be glad to see Paul, Paddy, Archie and Rowser all stay but I am sure it all depends on juggling a really tight budget. Plenty of other players in a similar position as well so alot of competition for a few full time jobs. He has had his best season all round for us this season.

Not a bad loan signing as he looked decent against us for Ayr last year, He is something different to all of our current midfield at 6'3 and with the number of games coming up in the next couple of months will provide good cover and a bit of height and strength as teams begin to lump it in the quest for points. Don't think Hearts players are costing alot in wages just now so decent move.

Very true, we need a much higher income, a long term strategy to reduce the costs (mortgage, upkeep. etc..) or both would be better I remember from a previous post that the Propco had a shortfall in take up, it would be interesting if this was opened up to the fans or the trust to raise money and make up the difference, that really would mean that Thistle minded people were in charge of our destiny.

I would imagine if you compare our financial health with several of our competitors then we are in good health. We have high blood pressure whereas Dundee and Dunfermline are in the heart attack ward.