ThickAsThieves

I doubt we'll see a permanent appointment until the end of the season. Archie's done a great job, much better than I expected; truth be told. I'd be all for him getting the position. If the board decide to go in another direction, I'll back them with that too. Would be interesting to know who's on the shortlist...

Don't want to keep getting on G SUS's case but I'd LOVE it if someone could upload Dorrans' overhead kick against Peterhead from the DVD. I don't have a copy or I would, this needs to be shared. Ta.

Best goals I've seen this season (wasn't at the Airdrie game): 1. Forbes v Dunfermline 2. Bannigan v Queen's Park 3. O'Donnell v Dunfermline

Saying "we only beat Hamilton and Airdrie by a goal" is - like a scarecrow having a **** - clutching at straws. Under Jackie we got beat and then drew last time we played those two teams - so I'll take any win against them! Archie's doing a great job, especially defensively. I agree it's early days to say he should definitely get it but let's stop mentioning beating those teams by a solitary goal as a negative point. It's a positive one. It's a positive six points actually. Wasn't at the game today but what a result. Only concern is Bannigan going off injured - anyone there able to let me know how bad it looked? Do you imagine he'll be out for a while?

Who have you got out mate?

My view on this (I've had about a dozen people messaging me pleading for me to add my point of view, so here you go) is simple. There are some real hardcore fans in our support, the majority of them will already have tickets. There will be a very small minority who, for whatever reason, do not - and I genuinely feel for them. However, the club have sold these tickets in the best way they possibly could. You could grab two as a season ticket holder, book hospitality, buy the 9-matches package or try your luck at the general sale. Plenty of different avenues for all different types of fans. The club have done well. Let's not start turning on each other/on anyone who comes along to Firhill. We should welcome anyone who wants to come watch us and I even bring a "Rangers supporting" [ie. he doesn't go to any of their matches - just a glory hunter really] [& don't worry he doesn't have a ticket] mate now and again (he's made 3 matches this season) and he absolutely loves it. I'd hate for him to have a read at this and think he doesn't belong at Firhill; based on some views expressed here. There are all types of different football fans and the club have embraced them all in the correct order and manner.

Aware of that mate, just pointing out that I thought he was poor tonight but suppose he's got a half-decent excuse.

Balatoni has really proven me wrong. Not that I thought he was a bad player, but I just wasn't completely convinced with him at first and didn't think he'd be a regular starter for us. This season he's been brilliant though and I don't think he quite gets the credit he deserves. He's an attacking threat, superb in the air and positions himself well. Brilliant again tonight, along with Muirhead.

Paton hit a few cracking long passes tonight so no idea what match you were watching. "My player for some abuse this time" - you know you don't have to give abuse to our players, right?

Tonight was not bad. We controlled most of the match but didn't create too many chances. Played a lot more long, high balls forward than we normally do. I thought Welsh and O'Donnell didn't look up to scratch, Balatoni and Muirhead were terrific, Bannigan gave 100% as usual and Lawless was full of energy in the first half. I was watching Stevie May whenever they had a corner, and strangely it seemed that no one wanted the responsibility of picking him up. Numerous times he was free in the area when the ball was delivered - could have been costly. A number of times in the second half Bannigan was marking him and a second later May had sprinted 10 yards away from him. His movement was great. We look nervous when the match is drawing to a close and we're holding a slender lead. Fair play to the team though, did the job tonight and got that all important three points. I'd give Craig a rest for Saturday now, thought he was good tonight but didn't really look an attacking threat. And yes, Forbes' deliveries were badly missed. Lawless constantly couldn't get his corner past the first man. Based on that match, I'd maybe take Welsh and Craig out for Forbes and Doolan at the weekend.

Cheers mate. ...Now get that Dorrans goal uploaded.

Why are they missing the Dunfermline game instead of, Airdrie, for example? Anyway, we could just have Welsh, Bannigan, Forbes as the midfield three. Or maybe have Archie step in at the back with Muirhead in the defensive midfielder role. Shame we've not got Rowson anymore!

Fox O'Donnell - Muirhead - Balatoni - Sinclair Paton - Forbes - Bannigan Erskine - Craig - Lawless Doolan, McGuigan, Welsh, Archibald, Daniels.

He played well for most of the match. Disappointed with him at the handball and downright raging at him about the sending off (let's not call it a headbutt, please, they were just squaring up to one another). He comes with experience, but does he come with self-discipline? We needed him on the pitch for the full 90, as we need all our players, and he's let us down. But he's not the first player to do something stupid while wearing the Red & Yellow of Partick Thistle and won't be the last, so I'm not calling for him to never play for us again. Now that we've got a full squad to pick from he won't play again until someone picks up an injury anyway. He's not first choice.

When you're ready mate.

I seem to remember him scoring a great goal from open play. But I don't remember who it was against so hopefully someone can help me out with this. Basically, he took the ball from his own half and dribbled towards the edge of their box, beating quite a few players before blasting it past the keeper. Any ideas?

Definite two-horse race now. Just wonder if there will still be a Dunfermline next season...

Exact same. Can't get footage of this anywhere though! If someone by chance does have the clip from old PTTV footage; stick it on YouTube. After bleating on about this to my mates so much it would be good to show them - and myself - if it was as good as I remember it to be. I'd imagine it would be, overhead kick from around the penalty spot. Lovely.

I would rather the players just let the board get on with it. Maybe privately let their thoughts be known to them with regards to Archie, but putting it out in the media continuously will do us no favours if Archie is overlooked.

Am I missing something? What's this?

Apparently it's a straight choice between John Lambie and Davie McParland.

O'Donnell still out. Fox Welsh - Muirhead - Balatoni - Sinclair Paton - Murray Erskine - Forbes - Bannigan Craig Once again 2-1 to the Jags.

Of course I'm not privy to the club's finances, but we've gained (for lack of a better word) a wage on McNamara and a wage on Rowson. We've also received compensation for the old manager. That should leave us in a strong financial position to bring in one player? I would like to see the rest of the money go towards extended contracts to those expiring in the summer - but I think there will be money left over for another to come in. Who that is, I've not got a clue. Think it'll need to be a central defender though. I see Ross Tokely's been released by Ross County, 33 years old. Could maybe do a job in this league? Doesn't really fit in with the way we're doing things at this club, though.

I, like many, love him. Cult hero. His performances in 07/08 which scooped every Player of the Year gong we had going will always live in the memory. Sitting alongside his many screamers and most poignant moment in a Thistle jersey; THAT last min goal vs. Raith.

You're right, there could be players with one eye on the door. But I know for a fact there are players in this squad that love playing for the Jags and are 100% committed to getting us promoted. This squad is here until the end of the season and they will fight tooth and nail to go up. They need our support. No one is going to stay at this club forever, everyone's got grand ambitions. But unlike Jackie these players can't/won't walk out on us now - no one has the money to spend. Pre-contract agreements might be made but they'll still have that Thistle jersey on until the end of the season, and so it's our duty to give them full backing. If you take a moment to think of the players in our squad. You've got Archibald, two spells with the club, recently reached the top ten most appearances for a Thistle player. You think he's going to give up this title fight up? Bannigan, playing week-in/week-out after coming through our youth system and on the face of it absolutely loving being involved with this great club. Stand up and be counted. Come on the Jags.