exiledjag

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)" .

A couple of points I see that the takeover includes specific areas of land - the South Terracing and the Main Stand (but not the North Stand or the JHS). What is the reason for this? Is it something to do with the Property Co. Also as a life long Jags Fan and sponsor of our Academy is there any doubt that Colin Weir has the best interests of PTFC at heart in taking over and securing the future of the club.?

Afraid I couldn't make up my mind about Lawless. A skillful and creative player but he never seemed very effective to me. He seemed to flirt in and out of games rarely making an impact for 90 minutes - similar to Ross Forbes who also tended to be in and out of a game. I don't know perhaps it was the playing system we used and not the player. Just felt we should have got a lot more from him.

Thought we looked like a team that was very conscious of not having won at home. As a result we never looked relaxed and the harder we tried the worse we got. Somehow at Firhill the manager needs to get the players to relax and just go out and play. I was hoping though, based on what I saw at the Gayfield game, that Mansell would be in the team from the start. When he came on at Arbroath he immediate got stuck into the two centre backs and unsettled the centre of the Arbroath defence and gave Miller support. I think this is where we lost the game on Saturday as the Arbroath defence, a very physical lot helped by a very inconsistent referee, were never put under any sustained pressure. Also thought Arbroath penalty was a very soft award.

Thanks Auldjag. I have no doubts about next week. 3-1 Thistle.

My first ever post!! Life long jags fan from The 'Round Toll' area for those who remember this part of Glasgow 1.5 miles from the 'Hallowed Ground'. Now living way north of Aberdeen. Haven't see jags since the recent 1-1 Arbroath game and last visit to Firhill was the Ross Co 2-4 game! Intended travelling to every home game this season but found the Caldwell era totally depressing. Didn't go to today's game but kept an eye on score and forum comments while painting a ceiling (opted to do this instead of driving down to Dundee) !! Total shock when I checked final result. Reverting to plan A feel Manager and team (who seem now to be playing for the Jersey which is all I have ever asked of a Thistle team) deserve support. See you all at Firhill next Saturday