Dick Dastardly

Fixed

A Croatian born Kiwi. 2 nations that I don’t think we’ve had players from before

No. They look susceptible at the back. It should be another good game when they play Uruguay

Statistically it is rare to get a first time winner away from home. It is also rare to get a win in another continent. I think that would leave France Spain England and Russia. and I don’t fancy any of them

And to buy out what is left of the current contract. As it stands I think we would need to pay them for next year if it was a ‘free’ transfer, so we will be looking for someone to cover that, or we will play them

When does he score Thistle’s first Champions League goal ?

Where is the positivity. We will beat them both, twice, on our way to a cup double (and the Challenge cup as well)

A 4th keeper on the books ! How about some midfielders and a striker (Aw ra best Roughie)

MoJo returning to lead the line with Dools ?

For me there are far too many average teams in it. I know that it would make it harder to qualify, but I think that they should be reducing the number of teams in the finals rather than increasing them. What is the point of Denmark v Australia or Morrocco v Iran in the finals. In 1978, Group 1 was Argentina, France, Italy and Hungary. That was a real test

I think you are thinking of Enzo Prono, a Paraguayan striker who plays for Atlante in Mexico.

It is an interesting development as it means that the Weirs now control both the finances and the board. Whether that is a good thing or not we shall see over time.

I am sure that we do have more "targetted" signings, but I am also sure that we are not the only club that have targetted them, and equally sure that Thistle was not their dream job. It is highly likely that there are players mulling over an offer from us and looking to see if they get a better offer, or waiting till they come back from holiday before making a decision, and who can blame them. I agree that in a perfect world, we would have more players signed already, but there are over 2 months of the transfer window still open, so lets give Archie a break, and judge his squad building at the end of September, rather than stressing now.

You win. I remembered this interview differently https://ptfc.co.uk/ptfc-news/penrice-cant-wait-for-thistle-chance/

Why this persistence in talking about Penrice as a left back. He is a central midfielder who can play at left back, much like Banzo. We need a dedicated left back.

We are going to need more than 2 central defenders as there will be injuries and suspensions, so having defenders who can play in multiple positions is a bonus

I'm not sure how many Valerie Oyserman there are in Easterhouse, but it is possible.

I'm in 2 minds PROs: He is a solid defender at this level and a known quantity. We need a central defender and a captain, which Freddy can fill both. He's a fans favorite, so it would be a statement of intent and I'd rather have him play for us than against us. CONs: He's solid, but not a world beater. There is a reason why he is looking at Scottish Championship clubs. I expect that his wages will be at the top end of our budget and he'll want accommodation included. We need so many players that we might be better getting 2 cheaper players rather than the one statement player. On the whole, I think I'd like him to find a club outside of Scotland

Lets be honest, there is probably no player out there who wants to play for Thistle. Doolan and Erskine perhaps, but I doubt that playing for Thistle comes into any professionals dreams. The best we can hope for is willing to play for us, and for that we need to offer better terms and prospects than the host of other clubs that they are also willing to play for. This is not going to be easy, especially with so many players needed to form a squad. The only positive is that with so few signed up, any prospective player knows that there is a starting place available in the 1st XI. It should be an interesting few weeks when the transfer window opens tomorrow.

I’ll counter your Brannigan with Jukka Santana. People forget he was brought in as a defender but was so bad he was shifted up front to get him out the way. I know he then scored for fun (god knows how) but as a defender he is the worst I can remember.

I recall James Craigan being very effective at this level and I see Edwards as a very similar type of player, but probably more skillful. I would keep him if we could.

Will all our players be back from the World Cup by then ?

I'm slightly relieved to find out that it is not just me ..... not that I'm paranoid or anything

I'm going to be controversial and put Erskine and Doolan in the maybe category. I'm not questioning their ability and their commitment, my problem is with their ability to play for a full 90 minutes. It is rare for either of them to start and finish a game, so if we start them both, we know that 2 substitutions are used up, which leaves few options to change the formation. If we pick up a couple of knocks elsewhere and they do need to play for 90 minutes, we have 2 players who are dead on their legs. It maybe that they are carrying knocks this year, or it maybe that the fitness training is a problem and it is possible that the pacein the Championship might help them (Livi didn't suggest that), but I think that they are probably now best as impact players which is why I have them as maybes

I think that Legs Like a Spider has made some very valid points. I have always thought myself as an Archie backer, and there is no doubt that he has made some vast improvements in the fortunes of Thistle, 4 years in the top flight is the longest that I can remember in a very long time. In some ways he deserves a chance to address the mistakes made, however there are some failings that have been consistent in our entire time in the Premiership Late goals. Every season we have dropped vital points as a result of late goals against us. How different it would have been if we had held onto leads in the back to back games against Hamilton and Dundee, and you could list dozens of games where we have thrown away vital points in the last 5 minutes. He has never addressed this and shows no signs of doing so. The tactics have always been a ponderous buildup from the back, letting the opposition get their defenders back into position. This is fine if you are Barcelona and have attackers who can pull the defenders out of place and make the gaps, but we don't have those players. Too often we pass the ball sideways or backwards until someone runs out of ideas and throws in an aimless cross which a big defender eats upfor breakfast. It is far too predictable and rarely changes We seem to create very few scoring chances and again this has been the case for several seasons. Too often we are begging for someone to have a pop at goal,but instead we try to walk it in. That maybe due to the tactics mentioned above and the Dundee game shows what can be done why we try something different. The one time that Lawless runs down the centre, rather than playing out wide, and we score. Defending crosses and set pieces. How often have we said that this should be bread and butter for 2 former defenders to sort out, but week after week, year after year we are left pulling our hair out at cheep goals conceded. Finally, creative signings. Our most creative players are Erskine, Doolan and Lawless. All of them first signed by previous managers. I don't think that Archie has found one of his own. As I said, Archie has done many good things and we should be grateful for what he has achieved, however in my view it is time for a fresh start for both Archie and the club. I'm sure that he can learn from the mistakes and I'm sure that he will goon to a successful career, however I think that both he and the club need some fresh thinking and a break now ould probably be best in the long term for both parties.