King Kenny

Thought the fans on the whole were great yesterday. Would have been very easy to get on the players backs after the start but that wasn't the case. Plenty of encouragement and the North Stand were in good voice. The usual few were shouting their displeasure at every move but they do that when we're 3-0 up as well :-)

Storey was definitely off initially. Watched it back on Alba late last night, great stuff from Doolan for both goals. Lawless and Turnbull deserve credit for their touch and passes for the winner as well. Barton takes a lot of stick for his work rate but I noticed on the footage he was still joining in with the attacks in the 90th minute. Also, when Spittal breaks clear in injury time, you can see Barton behind him urging the defence to get higher up the pitch. Perhaps we are finally learning from our mistakes. It is only one win but gives us a platform to build on. Win on Tuesday and it'll give us some momentum as we approach a tricky looking November.

Quick thoughts before I head out. It was ugly as hell but that is what we hopefully need to kick start our season. Starting XI was too easy for Dundee, high balls to Sammon was food and drink to O'Dea, Meekings etc. Don't really like to single players out but Sammon was hopeless. His attitude terrible. The difference Doolan and Storey made when they came on was night and day. The defence were very shaky all day but hopefully the win will give them their confidence back. Thought the game passed McCarthy by a bit, doesn't look fit enough. Lawless I think deserves great credit for the way he stuck to his task at left wing back. The Dundee right back was excellent and Stevie handled him well. He showed a great attitude throughout. Doolan's composure for the winner was brilliant, put it on a plate for Storey. Overall though, none of us would be celebrating this win if it wasn't for Tomas Cerny. His penalty save was a turning point but his save at 1-1 could potentially be a season changer. It wasn't brilliant but it's 3 points and something to work on. Enjoy your beers!

Folk don't half get themselves in some state. He's on the Jagzone commentary today, perhaps you'll get the answers then.

Bannigan was walking fine last week, no obvious sign of an injury anyway. Fingers crossed nothing too serious. Having been out for so long it's not surprising he may pick up a niggle or two. Nisbet and Lawless back should at least allow us a full bench this week.

Would switching Devine and Barton work? Devine doesn't have Barton's passing range but would certainly add more bite to the midfield. Barton could drop back in to a back 3 with Keown and Turnbull, bring the ball out from the back. McCarthy in with Devine. Forward players made up from Edwards, Doolan, Erskine, Sammon, Spittal, Storey? Might not be the most creative side but would hopefully give the security that we desperately need just now. That is based on having the same players fit that we were left with on Saturday.

Bannigan watched the full 90 mins from the Jackie Husband stand. He looked just as gutted as the rest of us did. These stories always tend to surface when we're on a losing streak. Archie went to a back 4 on Saturday so one of the centre halves had to miss out, looks like it was Turnbull.

Less than 3,000 Jags fans today. However, that isn't really a surprise. Even when we're winning we rarely pull in more than that. To say Archie isn't feeling the pressure is ridiculous. Nobody is more aware about the dangers our current situation brings than him. He's a smart guy, he knows how football works and will know loyalty and sentiment count for nothing. Personally, I'd stick by him. I think he is a great leader for our club in the dugout and the media. Perhaps I'm showing too much sentiment but I still believe he'll turn it round.

Bannigan was sitting in the JH. No idea about Lawless. BBC reported he had pulled out of the squad but no reason given.

He's usually fairly solid but agree, was beat with ease today. Not meaning to single him out, whole team let the jerseys down today.

Superb? Really? Nitriansky offers next to nothing going forward.

Perhaps Maxi fancies himself as the manager, massage that ego a little bit more. Certainly seems comfortable in the limelight.

Nitriansky's crossing was diabolical in the 2nd half, either hit the first man or hammered it over everyone's head

After 10 minutes it was very obvious we weren't going to score today. If I close my eyes I can still see Keown pick up the ball, give it to Nitrianksy, get it back then play it square to Devine. Repeat until you bore your fans to tears. Martin Hardie made an off the cuff comment at Half Time about a Thistle player needing to "smash" someone. He couldn't have been more correct. We are so soft. Miles off any first tackle never mind second balls. Too many players have no idea what they are doing. That comes down to tactics, which stops at Archie's door. McCarthy looks like he has that dig, I'd start him. Edwards getting man of the match gave me a laugh at least, never a footballer. Runs around, can't pass or tackle to save himself.

Not a surprise really, Killie not exactly known for patience. Hire manager, spend a load on ageing players, loans etc, lose a few games, fire manager. Repeat. We're going through a tricky period, we may be level on points with Killie but we're well ahead of them as a club. I've still got faith Archie will turn it round, starting with a home win against Killie

From our potential strongest XI we're missing Dumbuya/Elliot, Booth, Osman and a fit Stuart Bannigan. However, these are long term problems and we don't have the time to wait. Today was a sore one. I think at the moment Archie doesn't have a clue what his best 11 is as he probably didn't envisage a team where most of the above were missing. I'd like to see us go back to the 4-2-3-1 from last season. At the moment our 3-5-2 is more often than not leading to a flat back 5 with us struggling to get out of own half. Give Lawless, Erskine & Spittal a shot supplying the striker. Archie deserves the time to put this right but it's got to happen now.

Paul Deas is the player closest to the ref

Turnbull could possibly move across with Barton dropping back. In saying that, I'm sure McGinn would do fine on the left and I've been impressed with Nitriansky from the little we've saw of him. Bad one for Christie, just when he was cementing his place in the team.

I'd try bringing Bannigan in for Edwards for the next game. Edwards does a lot of running around but he has very little composure and his passing needs big improvements. Bannigan needs to start games in order to get back to where he was, it's not going to happen with 15 minute cameos.

Scully is glued to his line, probably plays a big reason why our defence sits so deep

Frustation is the only emotion after that one. First half was decent, both teams having a go with Thistle having the better of it. Spittal's goal was a great run followed by a dreadful finish followed by even worse goalkeeping! Had Barton's header gone in just before half time then we'd have been looking at a different game. We started the 2nd half ok, Spittal took one off Barton's toe when he looked in the better position. After that we did what we seem to always do and dropped deeper and deeper. Once Archie took Doolan off for Bannigan we were effectively admitting that holding out for 1-0 was our aim. The most annoying thing was that it took Hearts to score before we awoke from our slumber and started attacking them again. We could have nicked it at the end if the final ball/decision making was better. Motherwell showed against Aberdeen in the cup on Thursday that the best form of defense is attack. Until we learn this then we'll keep dropping points. We have the players but we need to start turning these draws in to wins. Lastly, I hope Elliot's injury isn't too bad.

I think a plaque would be a very fitting tribute, glad to hear this is going ahead.

Yep, doesn't hide. Nothing you mention indicates that he hides, if anything it proves he's constantly looking for the ball. I'm not for a minute saying he's been brilliant this season but it seems he's been singled out already as this seasons fall guy.

I thought we played pretty well for most of the 90 minutes. Not sure why do much hate for Barton? It's clear he isn't strong enough to play in a defensive tackling role but he always provides an option for an outball and never hides. Once again our biggest issue is decision making/final ball in the final third of the pitch. We had so many chances ruined by wrong options/poor crosses. Sammon was excellent tonight up top, perhaps should have put the header away but it was a top save. Extra time was a disaster, a real sore one to take.

Scully's footwork is dreadful when it comes to diving