exiledjag

Well spotted Albert's Ghost. I just going to say that re Kakay. Shows the commitment and spirit we now have in the team/at the club. Something that wasn't evident under Caldwell. I noticed at the end of the game Kakay looked really tired. Good shift from him and the team. Well done Ian MC Call.

Yes, well suppose having different opinions is what supporting the same football team is all about. I agree with your comment about cover for full-back positions - missed that one! I agree we have a lot of midfielders but not necessarily good or available midfielders. For example: Harkins could be valuable but can't be anything more than short-term Gordon looks promising but has yet to develop and being injured is out for some months Slater impressed initially but usual performance from him includes long periods of anonymity Palmer on loan so not a permanent signing Bannigan not the same since his injury though there are signs he is getting back to his old self. IMO he is a better player playing further forward and probing the opposition's defence. Never saw him as a good holding/defensive Midfielder as he can't tackle. Therefore still think we need someone like Osman (see her ladyships post) In summary we appear to be in the market for: Fullback (s) Holding/Defensive Midfielder (if money stretches also a creative Midfielder as well) Strikers - possibly 2? Anything I've missed?

I surprised myself for predicting last Saturday's result 3-1 and did so with confidence. Have to admit though at half-time I wasn't so sure. In the end it could have been more had our counter-attacking been more effective. So why do I not feel as confident about this Saturday? Possibly because: a) at home we generally slaughter Dundee but lose b) Hemmings always does well against us c) Dundee have more to offer in Midfield (than Inverness) - M Gowan d) at home we rarely take our chances against Dundee e) we are going for 3 wins in a row - generally a fall flat on our face situation. Apologies if overly negative so to end on a positive note! If we can get a grip of Hemmings and McGowan we will win. I go for another 3-1.

I have managed a few games this year and will be at the Dundee game next week (2 in a row for me). I agree with comments about Central defence and the striking positions. However in the games I have seen, including Saturday's 3-1 win we really need to find a tough ball winning Midfielder who can also play the 'holding & defensive' roles. Cole and Bannigan can provide the creative and attacking functions but until we get the above rule filled we will always be overrun a bit in Midfield. This would be my priority. .

Agree that McLean had a good game and all the comments about allowing for conditions and letting game flow etc. I also think he got the yellow card for simulation 100% correct! Had a very good view of this incident (and our 3rd goal). The Jags Defender had his body in the correct position between the ICT player and the ball. As soon as the ICT Player realised he wasn't gojng to win the challenge he went down like a ton of bricks. You could see the dive coming. One minor criticism of McLean was his failure to yellow card the ICT left back (no. 3) for an earlier more blatant dive. Had he done so the big ICT player might not have tried it on later. On the positive side, loved the way he cut John Robertson down to size!

I had a clear view of the third goal and didn't think it was a goalkeeping error. Ridgers and Zannetta got to the ball at just about the same time Ridgers actually got fingers of both hands on the ball, and was only a split second away from securing possession, just as Zannetta got his foot on the ball. The ball broke unkindly for both players but just as I expected Zannetta to chip it to the far post he rolled it brilliantly into the goal. Fantastic piece of improvisation and imagination. If I was Ridgers and Robertson I would be asking why no defenders ran to cover the goal line?

Have to say I didn't realise Storey was actually playing yesterday. Didn't notice him at all. Was he any good? Was a bit pushed for time arriving just after kick-off so no time to buy a program.

I have no time for Rangers or Celtic or the baggage that goes along with them My 2 worst experiences at a football match were at Ibrox and Firhill (v Celtic - the McParland sending off) At Ibrox we were leading 1-0 and I think Colin Stein scored in the 86th & 90th minutes according to the official record. By my watch the accurate timing was the 96th & 98th minute. Thistle (short of Jimmy Bone) played possession football for last 20mins. Referee interpreted this as time wasting. McParland was furious.

Strange game! Thought over the 95minutes ICT were the better moving team. In the second half though we caught them on the counter attack 4 or 5 times and with better decision making, especially by Zanatta, could easily have scored 4 or 5. We also defended well except for the goal (which was a very poor one to lose) though at times not convincingly! I would like to see a Thistle team with a Midfield that can dominate a game. Bannigan was very good but sometimes the middle of the park was wide open. Still made a long trip to get here today already thinking about doing it again. Amazing how good a win (two in a row) and 3 points feels!!!!

Ha ha, probably right. She loves Glasgow and suggested we 'weekend' here instead of Edinburgh. I agreed so thought that justified use of 'we'!! In our courting days she often came to matches with me including League Cup Final - a great day She used to enjoy going to Firhill as well but missed a lot of the action as she spent most of the game admiring Alan Rough!

Might be harsh but thought he was a hopeless manager and flattered to deceive as a player.

2168 - I'll be there! This year my wife and I decided to spend our Christmas weekend away in Glasgow (instead of Edinburgh)! I fancy a home win and thinking of 3-1 or a nervy 3-2. 3 points in the bag either way.

As said In my post I was also at the game and agree with your assessment of 'mild retaliation'. However my recollection differs on two points: 1. Davie was in possession of the ball and was moving away from Wallace who attempted to hold him back: Davie swept his arm behind him to try and break Wallace's hold of his Jersey. Don't recall any lunge! 2. I don't recall Wallace being ordered off, not even being booked which meant it was 10 v, 11 for most of the game. I think when the Referee whistled for an foul Davie fully expected a free kick to be awarded to him!! 56 years ago is a long time but ignoring the detail we can agree DM is a legend!

I was at the game v Celtic when McParland was sent off and recall the incident because I was standing right in line. Davie, in total control of the ball, was running away from Wallace when the latter grabbed McParland's Jersey from the back. Davie simply waved his arm back in an attempt to break Wallace's hold on him. The Referee blew for a foul and after a brief lecture sent Davie off. The fans, including sections of the visiting support were shocked as were some of the Celtic players, especially Wallace. Wallace in fact remonstrated with the Referee but could not persuade him to change his decision. When Davie appeared before the 'beaks' he was admonished and given a minor verbal warning - no fine, no suspension! Confirmation that the Referee's decision was ridiculous! I can't recall the name of the Referee but I had my suspicions he was afraid the Jags would win. Up to the sending off we were totally dominant and, but for the old Thistle story, should have been 2 or 3 goals ahead. The decision spoiled the game and although Celtic won there was no gloating, winding up or leg pulling just a subdued reaction from the green and whites that I knew.

Though Auld was a potentially great Thistle Manager he made a big mistake moving to Hibs. A hard player and a hard manager who knew when a good kick up the backside was needed he first came to my attention as a player for a club in Glasgow's East End. I went to Hampden to see the European Cup semi-final versus Leeds Utd - the all conquering English Champions. Auld didn't like the way Norman Hunter (the English League's no.1 hard man) and Billy Bremner were treating Jimmy Johnstone. Following yet another crude tackle on Johnstone and while he was getting treatment Auld spoke to the referee. Clearly getting no joy he turned to Hunter and Bremner (standing about 15yds away) and pointed at them. Having got their attention he then made out that he was holding a pen in one hand and writing something on a piece of paper with his other hand being the paper. Finishing his short note he again pointed to Hunter and Bremner. I was told by a (OK I'll say it) home fan Auld had 'marked their card'. During the next 10 minutes both needed a lengthy period of treatment! Neither went anywhere near Johnstone for the rest of the game. That was Bertie Auld!!

Then that would have been 3 points!

No harm in asking - we should at least try

Yeap, and he will only be 33 next month!

I said in a previous post that I don't see us getting much out of this squad and that, short term, our season is all about staying in touch with the rest of the league until January. If we can do this McCall will then have the opportunity to bring in his own players. I am happy to accept the assessment of jags fans who are able to attend matches on a regular basis and regret that due to geography I am not one of them. So suggestions about what type of players and in what positions we need are OK with me. Seems we need 5/6 January signings who have to hit the ground running. We also need an experienced striker who can score 10-15 goals a season, is a penalty box player, has an excellent first touch with the composure to match. With Mansell in the middle (to soften up the opposition), Miller on the (Mansell's) right the player I am thinking off would be ideal playing on the left of a front 3. Anyone got any idea who I am thinking of?

You mean 1-1. I think we will blow them away 2-1.

Sorry about typos. Got so excited about the thought this could actually happen my fingers started to shake, of course CRITIC should be CELTIC.

Think it could go like this- First 15 mins fairly even then Jags score - 1-0. (Gordon) We get slaughter but hold on until up to 44 mins; a jags counter attack, goal 2-0 (Miller). HT McColl tells players important we start 2nd Half on front foot and high press Celtic. Celtic players amazed Jags are up and at them, severely stunned - jags score 55mins 3-0 (Penrice free kick 25 yds, top corner). 60 mins Jags denied blatent penalty - 2 footed tackle, studs up by Brown on Miller. (Brown spoken to - Miller carried off) Jags penned back in own penalty area. Great saves from Fox, woodwork, bodies on the line etc. etc Celtic get the softest penalty ever McGregor tackled and throws himself into the box - Fox saves. Jags breakaway in the 98th minute Kakay scores with low shot to far post 4-0 Crltic (and Referee give up) we are through to next round. Lennon says his team were harshly treat by referee, should have had enough penalties to win the game; Thistle lucky and did t deserve to win the game! TV pundits Stewart & Thompson agree saying it was a very tight 4-0 game! Whole of Scotland (and Ireland) stunned. England & Wales don't give a toss!

Agree with first 3 names above though thought Doolin and Erskine were exceptional. I know many will disagree but I thought Balatoni was a stalwart as well. He just wasn't a central defender. Showing my age but in the days of half-backs he would have been my right half. Good technique, tackler, first touch and passer of the ball. Not tall enough for a central defender in the modern game. Taylor-Sinclair, like Lawless, Forbes and Muirhead never really did it for me.

I wasn't up to date on the various strategies of previous Borads so thank you for this explanation.

Coincidentally I was asked this question today. I was watching my grandson - a very good goalkeeper--playing for his school team. I got to talking to a parent of one of my grandson's team mates and whom I learned was an Aberdeen season ticket holder. Recognising my West Coast accent he asked the question. My answer was "I am a life-long Partick Thistle Supporter and I don't care who beats Rangers or Celtic (or Clyde)" .