The Jukebox Rebel Posted May 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Indeed he did Winter, his sole appearance. It doesn't always work out, eh? Gavin Rushford aged 16 years, 11 months, 21 days 26.04.2003 Motherwell [h] W3-0 (Scottish Premier League - game 34) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael m Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 And Matthew Shields weeks before Gavin Rushford was 16 - but no idea what his DOB was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted May 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 And Matthew Shields weeks before Gavin Rushford was 16 - but no idea what his DOB was Born 17th February 1986, so just missed out on joining the "16 club". He was another for the "one competitive appearance" club. I guess they can't all be Ian McDonalds... Matthew Shields aged 17 years, 3 months, 0 days 17.05.2003 Dundee United [h] L0-1 (Scottish Premier League - game 37) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Willjag Posted May 26, 2015 Members Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 I remember at the time, Rushford held the record for the youngest ever SPL player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 I remember at the time, Rushford held the record for the youngest ever SPL player. Now he just has a record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sunnylaw Jag Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Other famous 16 year-old debutants have included Ian McDonald (1975), Jim Melrose (1975), Pat Kelly (1984) and Willie Howie (1999). I wish the very best of luck to Neilly - if he can get halfway close to any of that lot he'll be doing well. Is there any record to indicate if Ian wore his trademark moustache that day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted May 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 Is there any record to indicate if Ian wore his trademark moustache that day? I'll be sorely disappointed if Mac doesn't take the honour of "Youngest Jag with the full Walrus" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted May 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 (edited) 2014-15 Stats Watch Review REFEREES Not a lot has went Thistle's way this season - and that has nothing to do with red and yellow tinted specs. From soft sending-offs to a non-stop string of penalties against, we've rarely seen anything like it. There's absolutely no doubt that the men in the middle have impacted negatively on our campaign. Appointing an arbitrary 1 point for a yellow card, 4 points for a red and 5 points for a penalty award, which seems to me about right in terms of game-changing importance, then the decisions have went only 32.5% for Thistle, and 67.5% against. By rights, we should be bouncing around not too far from the 50-50 mark. If you look at the all time Thistle game table for the group of refs in question, they are 51.2% for Jags, 48.8% against, so this season is clearly way out of line. We lost 78-56 on Yellows, 5-2 on Reds and got well and truly hammered 9-1 on penalties. With the system described, 4 refs were in favour of Thistle, 2 were neutral, and 9 were against, many of them most severely. Interestingly, as you will see from the data tables in the spoiler, the refs who've been alright this season have always been alright. Based on our 43 competitive games, here's how this season's whistlers shaped up: % Decisions per game 2014-15 in favour of Thistle 100% - Don Robertson good guy 66.7% - Greg Aitken good guy 58.3% - Bobby Madden good guy 58.3% - Stephen Finnie good guy 50.0% - Crawford Allan meh 50.0% - Calum Murray good guy 40.0% - Craig Thomson meh 37.5% - Andrew Dallas w*nk 36.0% - John Beaton w*nk 35.7% - Kevin Clancy meh 19.4% - William Collum w*nk 16.7% - Steven McLean w*nk 11.8% - Brian Colvin w*nk 11.1% - Alan Muir w*nk 0% - Craig Charleston w*nk data tables... Edited May 27, 2015 by The Jukebox Rebel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
partickthedog Posted May 27, 2015 Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 WELL DONE NEILLY • The moment Neil became the new leader in the clubhouse for the category "youngest Jag to play in the top-flight" With his appearance in Saturday's game at Fir Park, Neil McLaughlin displaces Jim Fleming who had appeared in the old First Division against Hearts on 18th October 1958 aged 16 years, 9 months, 11 days. He's described as a nippy and industrious striker who has progressed as a Thistle youth from the age of 13. The young lad's no stranger to cracking on asap, having previously made his U-20 debut in February 2014 at the ripe old age of 15¼! He formally signed as an apprentice professional along with Kevin Nisbet and Michael McMullin in May 2014, and the trio duly became the first graduates from the ThistleWeir Academy. Neil has maintained his development under the guidance of under 20s coach Scott McKenzie, culminating in his historical first-team debut. Thistle's young record holders are as follows: Youngest known on a teamsheet Ryan Scully aged 16 years, 0 months, 27 days 25.11.2008 Ross County [a] L0-1 (SFL First Division - game 15) Youngest known appearance Calum Sellars aged 16 years, 2 months, 27 days 26.07.2007 Albion Rovers [a] W2-0 (Friendly) Youngest known competitive appearance Jamie McKenzie aged 16 years, 4 months, 21 days 19.04.1997 Stirling Albion [a] L0-2 (SFL First Division - game 33) Youngest known top-flight appearance Neil McLaughlin aged 16 years, 6 months, 17 days 23.05.2015 Motherwell [a] D0-0 (SPFL Premiership - game 38) Query disclaimer: The above includes birth date knowledge for around 900 of 1725 Jags players and includes line up knowledge for ~6100 of ~6300 matches. Research into Thistle history continues as an ongoing process. Other famous 16 year-old debutants have included Ian McDonald (1975), Jim Melrose (1975), Pat Kelly (1984) and Willie Howie (1999). I wish the very best of luck to Neilly - if he can get halfway close to any of that lot he'll be doing well. Many thanks, I've put that to good use. Can't believe that mob could be heading for Europe on the back of a paltry 34 goals in 38 matches. Maybe they're hoping to take the Steau Bucharest route and win every 2-legged tie 2-0 in a penalty shoot after two nil nil draws. A couple of ugly one nils in the group stages and Farquhar's yer uncle. Sevilla won't know what's hit them in the Semis. You're in luck ptd, I have all the Scottish League tables in a spreadsheet, so it was a skoosh to write a macro. I found that, never mind the top third, no team has ever finished in the top half of any senior Scottish League with a goals for ratio as low as that! In fact, 213 teams have finished bottom of Scottish Leagues with higher goals for ratios - there's only been 3 season's when a bottom of the table side haven't outscored the 2015 Saints! St Johnstone's 2014-15 goal scoring ratio, 0.89 goals per game, was bettered by the following bottom dogs: Season - Bottom Club (Division, goals per game) 1890-1891 - Cowlairs (SFL, 1.33) 1891-1892 - Vale of Leven (SFL, 1.09) 1892-1893 - Clyde (SFL, 1.39) 1893-1894 - Renton (SFLD1, 1.28) 1893-1894 - Glasgow Thistle (SFLD2, 1.72) 1894-1895 - Dumbarton (SFLD1, 1.5) 1895-1896 - Linthouse (SFLD2, 1.39) 1896-1897 - Abercorn (SFLD1, 1.17) 1896-1897 - Dumbarton (SFLD2, 1.5) 1897-1898 - Clyde (SFLD1, 1.17) 1897-1898 - Motherwell (SFLD2, 1.72) 1898-1899 - Dundee (SFLD1, 1.28) 1899-1900 - Clyde (SFLD1, 1.33) 1899-1900 - Linthouse (SFLD2, 1.56) 1900-1901 - Partick Thistle (SFLD1, 1.4) 1900-1901 - Motherwell (SFLD2, 1.44) 1901-1902 - Morton (SFLD1, 1.00) 1901-1902 - Abercorn (SFLD2, 1.23) 1902-1903 - Morton (SFLD1, 1.00) 1902-1903 - Clyde (SFLD2, 1.00) 1903-1904 - Kilmarnock (SFLD1, 1.00) 1903-1904 - Ayr Parkhouse (SFLD2, 1.05) 1904-1905 - Motherwell (SFLD1, 1.08) 1904-1905 - St Bernards (SFLD2, 1.05) 1905-1906 - Queen's Park (SFLD1, 1.37) 1905-1906 - East Stirling (SFLD2, 1.18) 1906-1907 - Ayr Parkhouse (SFLD2, 1.45) 1907-1908 - Port Glasgow Athletic (SFLD1, 1.15) 1907-1908 - Cowdenbeath (SFLD2, 1.18) 1908-1909 - Partick Thistle (SFLD1, 1.12) 1908-1909 - Arthurlie (SFLD2, 1.32) 1909-1910 - Ayr Parkhouse (SFLD2, 1.23) 1910-1911 - Vale of Leven (SFLD2, 0.95) 1911-1912 - St Mirren (SFLD1, 0.94) 1912-1913 - Queen's Park (SFLD1, 1.00) 1912-1913 - Leith Athletic (SFLD2, 1.00) 1913-1914 - St Mirren (SFLD1, 1.00) 1913-1914 - Johnstone (SFLD2, 0.91) 1914-1915 - Vale of Leven (SFLD2, 1.27) 1916-1917 - Aberdeen (SFL, 0.95) 1917-1918 - Ayr United (SFL, 0.94) 1919-1920 - Albion Rovers (SFL, 1.02) 1920-1921 - St Mirren (SFL, 1.02) 1921-1922 - Clackmannan (SFLD2, 1.05) 1922-1923 - Arbroath (SFLD2, 1.18) 1923-1924 - Clydebank (SFLD1, 1.11) 1923-1924 - Brechin City (SFLD3, 0.93) 1924-1925 - Third Lanark (SFLD1, 1.39) 1924-1925 - Forfar Athletic (SFLD2, 1.21) 1925-1926 - Clydebank (SFLD1, 1.45) 1925-1926 - Broxburn United (SFLD2, 1.45) 1926-1927 - Dundee United (SFLD1, 1.47) 1926-1927 - Nithsdale Wanderers (SFLD2, 1.55) 1927-1928 - Dunfermline Athletic (SFLD1, 1.08) 1927-1928 - Armadale (SFLD2, 1.39) 1928-1929 - Raith Rovers (SFLD1, 1.37) 1928-1929 - Bathgate (SFLD2, 1.32) 1929-1930 - St Johnstone (SFLD1, 1.26) 1929-1930 - Brechin City (SFLD2, 1.5) 1930-1931 - East Fife (SFLD1, 1.18) 1930-1931 - Bo'ness (SFLD2, 1.42) 1931-1932 - Leith Athletic (SFLD1, 1.21) 1932-1933 - East Stirling (SFLD1, 1.45) 1932-1933 - Bo'ness (SFLD2, 1.77) 1933-1934 - Cowdenbeath (SFLD1, 1.53) 1933-1934 - Edinburgh City (SFLD2, 1.09) 1934-1935 - Falkirk (SFLD1, 1.53) 1934-1935 - Edinburgh City (SFLD2, 1.32) 1935-1936 - Ayr United (SFLD1, 1.39) 1935-1936 - Dumbarton (SFLD2, 1.53) 1936-1937 - Albion Rovers (SFLD1, 1.39) 1936-1937 - Edinburgh City (SFLD2, 1.24) 1937-1938 - Morton (SFLD1, 1.68) 1937-1938 - Brechin City (SFLD2, 1.56) 1938-1939 - Raith Rovers (SFLD1, 1.71) 1938-1939 - Edinburgh City (SFLD2, 1.71) 1945-1946 - Hamilton Accies (SFLDA, 1.47) 1945-1946 - Arbroath (SFLDB, 1.54) 1946-1947 - Hamilton Accies (SFLDA, 1.27) 1946-1947 - Cowdenbeath (SFLDB, 1.69) 1947-1948 - Queen's Park (SFLDA, 1.5) 1947-1948 - Leith Athletic (SFLDB, 1.5) 1948-1949 - Albion Rovers (SFLDA, 1.00) 1948-1949 - East Stirling (SFLDB, 1.27) 1948-1949 - Edinburgh City (SFLDC, 1.18) 1949-1950 - Stirling Albion (SFLDA, 1.27) 1949-1950 - Alloa Athletic (SFLDB, 1.57) 1950-1951 - Falkirk (SFLDA, 1.17) 1950-1951 - Alloa Athletic (SFLDB, 1.93) 1950-1951 - Montrose (SFLDC NE, 1.33) 1951-1952 - Stirling Albion (SFLDA, 1.2) 1951-1952 - Arbroath (SFLDB, 1.33) 1952-1953 - Third Lanark (SFLDA, 1.73) 1952-1953 - Albion Rovers (SFLDB, 1.47) 1952-1953 - Leith Athletic (SFLDC NE, 1.46) 1952-1953 - East Stirling (SFLDC SW, 1.46) 1953-1954 - Hamilton Accies (SFLDA, 0.97) 1953-1954 - Dumbarton (SFLDB, 1.7) 1954-1955 - Stirling Albion (SFLDA, 0.97) 1954-1955 - Brechin City (SFLDB, 1.77) 1954-1955 - Berwick Rangers (SFLDC NE, 1.46) 1955-1956 - Montrose (SFLD2, 1.22) 1956-1957 - Ayr United (SFLD1, 1.41) 1956-1957 - East Stirling (SFLD2, 1.56) 1957-1958 - Queen's Park (SFLD1, 1.21) 1957-1958 - Berwick Rangers (SFLD2, 1.03) 1958-1959 - Queen of the South (SFLD1, 1.12) 1958-1959 - Montrose (SFLD2, 1.36) 1959-1960 - Arbroath (SFLD1, 1.12) 1959-1960 - Cowdenbeath (SFLD2, 1.17) 1960-1961 - Ayr United (SFLD1, 1.5) 1960-1961 - Morton (SFLD2, 1.56) 1961-1962 - Stirling Albion (SFLD1, 1.00) 1961-1962 - Brechin City (SFLD2, 1.22) 1962-1963 - Raith Rovers (SFLD1, 1.03) 1962-1963 - Brechin City (SFLD2, 1.08) 1963-1964 - East Stirling (SFLD1, 1.09) 1963-1964 - Stirling Albion (SFLD2, 1.31) 1964-1965 - Brechin City (SFLD2, 1.47) 1965-1966 - Forfar Athletic (SFLD2, 1.69) 1966-1967 - Brechin City (SFLD2, 1.53) 1967-1968 - Stenhousemuir (SFLD2, 0.94) 1968-1969 - Arbroath (SFLD1, 1.21) 1968-1969 - Stenhousemuir (SFLD2, 1.53) 1969-1970 - Partick Thistle (SFLD1, 1.21) 1969-1970 - Hamilton Accies (SFLD2, 1.17) 1970-1971 - Cowdenbeath (SFLD1, 0.97) 1971-1972 - Dunfermline Athletic (SFLD1, 0.91) 1972-1973 - Airdrie (SFLD1, 1.00) 1972-1973 - Brechin City (SFLD2, 1.28) 1973-1974 - Falkirk (SFLD1, 0.97) 1973-1974 - Brechin City (SFLD2, 0.92) 1974-1975 - Arbroath (SFLD1, 1.00) 1975-1976 - Clyde (SFLD1, 1.31) 1975-1976 - Meadowbank Thistle (SFLD2, 0.92) 1976-1977 - Falkirk (SFLD1, 0.92) 1976-1977 - Forfar Athletic (SFLD2, 1.1) 1977-1978 - East Fife (SFLD1, 1.00) 1977-1978 - Brechin City (SFLD2, 1.15) 1978-1979 - Queen of the South (SFLD1, 1.1) 1978-1979 - Meadowbank Thistle (SFLD2, 0.95) 1978-1979 - Motherwell (SLPD, 0.92) 1979-1980 - Clyde (SFLD1, 1.1) 1979-1980 - Alloa Athletic (SFLD2, 1.13) 1980-1981 - Stranraer (SFLD2, 0.92) 1981-1982 - Queen of the South (SFLD1, 1.13) 1981-1982 - Stranraer (SFLD2, 0.92) 1982-1983 - Queen's Park (SFLD1, 1.13) 1982-1983 - Montrose (SFLD2, 0.95) 1983-1984 - Alloa Athletic (SFLD1, 1.05) 1983-1984 - Albion Rovers (SFLD2, 1.18) 1984-1985 - St Johnstone (SFLD1, 1.31) 1984-1985 - Arbroath (SFLD2, 0.9) 1985-1986 - Alloa Athletic (SFLD1, 1.26) 1985-1986 - Stranraer (SFLD2, 1.05) 1986-1987 - Berwick Rangers (SFLD2, 1.03) 1987-1988 - Dumbarton (SFLD1, 1.16) 1988-1989 - Queen of the South (SFLD1, 0.97) 1988-1989 - Stenhousemuir (SFLD2, 1.13) 1989-1990 - Alloa Athletic (SFLD1, 1.05) 1989-1990 - Dundee (SLPD, 1.14) 1990-1991 - Brechin City (SFLD1, 1.13) 1990-1991 - Arbroath (SFLD2, 1.05) 1991-1992 - Albion Rovers (SFLD2, 1.08) 1992-1993 - Albion Rovers (SFLD2, 0.92) 1993-1994 - Cowdenbeath (SFLD2, 1.03) 1993-1994 - Dundee (SLPD, 0.95) 1994-1995 - Dundee United (SLPD, 1.11) 1995-1996 - Montrose (SFLD2, 0.92) 1995-1996 - Albion Rovers (SFLD3, 1.03) 1997-1998 - Stirling Albion (SFLD1, 1.11) 1997-1998 - Brechin City (SFLD2, 1.17) 1997-1998 - Dumbarton (SFLD3, 1.17) 1997-1998 - Hibernian (SLPD, 1.06) 1998-1999 - Forfar Athletic (SFLD2, 1.33) 1998-1999 - Montrose (SFLD3, 1.17) 1999-2000 - Hamilton Accies (SFLD2, 1.08) 1999-2000 - Albion Rovers (SFLD3, 0.92) 1999-2000 - Aberdeen (SPL, 1.22) 2000-2001 - Alloa Athletic (SFLD1, 1.06) 2000-2001 - Stirling Albion (SFLD2, 0.94) 2001-2002 - Raith Rovers (SFLD1, 1.39) 2001-2002 - Morton (SFLD2, 1.33) 2001-2002 - Queen's Park (SFLD3, 1.06) 2002-2003 - Cowdenbeath (SFLD2, 1.28) 2002-2003 - Motherwell (SPL, 1.18) 2003-2004 - Brechin City (SFLD1, 1.03) 2003-2004 - Partick Thistle (SPL, 1.03) 2004-2005 - Berwick Rangers (SFLD2, 1.11) 2004-2005 - Dundee (SPL, 0.97) 2005-2006 - Dumbarton (SFLD2, 1.11) 2006-2007 - Ross County (SFLD1, 1.11) 2006-2007 - Forfar Athletic (SFLD2, 1.03) 2007-2008 - Stirling Albion (SFLD1, 1.14) 2007-2008 - Berwick Rangers (SFLD2, 1.11) 2007-2008 - Forfar Athletic (SFLD3, 0.97) 2008-2009 - Clyde (SFLD1, 1.14) 2008-2009 - Inverness Caledonian Thistle (SPL, 0.97) 2009-2010 - Clyde (SFLD2, 1.03) 2010-2011 - Peterhead (SFLD2, 1.31) 2010-2011 - Clyde (SFLD3, 1.03) 2011-2012 - Queen of the South (SFLD1, 1.06) 2011-2012 - Stirling Albion (SFLD2, 1.28) 2011-2012 - East Stirling (SFLD3, 1.06) 2011-2012 - Dunfermline Athletic (SPL, 1.05) 2012-2013 - Airdrie United (SFLD1, 1.14) 2012-2013 - Albion Rovers (SFLD2, 1.25) 2012-2013 - East Stirling (SFLD3, 1.36) 2013-2014 - Heart of Midlothian (SPFLP, 1.18) 2013-2014 - Arbroath (SPFL1, 1.44) 2013-2014 - Queen's Park (SPFL2, 1.00) 2014-2015 - Stirling Albion (SPFL1, 0.97) 2014-2015 - Montrose (SPFL2, 1.17) Cheers Sini, very kind of you. I do enjoy the odd stat or three, it's true. It's not as big a task as it seems, I can rattle most of them off almost as quickly as I can conceive them tbh. All the hard work has already been done over the years on the database which I've cultivated and matured. Now then youngster... yes, 11 points clear in 1980-81 was the last time we were more comfortable. Dunno what happened there, I was skipping through the videos checking the away kits, must have muddled up myself with the other Livvy game of the time which was purple. Post now duly amended. Thanks for letting me know, saves me a future embarrassment! 15 competitive games without a win in the away kit: 29.12.2012 Airdrie United [a] D1-1 (SFL First Division - game 16) 05.01.2013 Livingston [a] D2-2 (SFL First Division - game 17) 12.01.2013 Dumbarton [a] L0-2 (SFL First Division - game 18) 04.05.2013 Dumbarton [a] D0-0 (SFL First Division - game 36) 24.08.2013 Motherwell [a] L0-1 (SPFL Premiership - game 4) 25.09.2013 Dundee United [a] L1-4 (League Cup 3rd Round) 04.11.2013 Aberdeen [a] L0-4 (SPFL Premiership - game 12) 23.11.2013 Dundee United [a] L1-4 (SPFL Premiership - game 14) 15.02.2014 Motherwell [a] L3-4 (SPFL Premiership - game 26) 30.08.2014 Aberdeen [a] L0-2 (SPFL Premiership - game 4) 03.12.2014 Celtic [a] L0-1 (SPFL Premiership - game 14) 27.12.2014 Motherwell [a] L0-1 (SPFL Premiership - game 18) 04.04.2015 Aberdeen [a] D0-0 (SPFL Premiership - game 31) 08.04.2015 Celtic [a] L0-2 (SPFL Premiership - game 32) 23.05.2015 Motherwell [a] D0-0 (SPFL Premiership - game 38) I note that all 15 were away, and the last time we wore it at home we won. And it's 6 games without a goal, bloomin' eck, that's atrocious. TJR Many thanks for the St Johnstone 1-0 maestros comparative stats. I am taking it as a compliment to Thistle that one of the few goals St J wasted all season was their second against us in Perth. They were so frightened of a Jags fightback that they felt the need to score again, whereas they had no such fear of Celtic, Aberdeen etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted May 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 (edited) 2014-15 Stats Watch Review APPEARANCES Notes: Including benchmen, 32 players were involved in the 43-game competitive campaign. That's 2 less than last season. The big trim is on. Stuart finishes with the most competitive appearances for the first time. Kris registers his highest-ever place finish despite the relatively small amount of game time, 1971 minutes. Cleary, everything he does is legendary. Abdul, who looked a cert to finish top dawg, was overtaken on the home straight thanks to some tactical bench play. He can console himself with the greatest amount of game time - and quite a few player of the year trophies! Stephen, player of the year for many, registered the longest unbroken run in the team, 29 games from 8th Nov 2014 to 23rd May 2015. Dan was the only one of the 32 who was never listed as a benchman. Paul was the only man to be listed in all 43 match day squads. Lyle has now played 36 games-in-a-row over the course of his two loan spells - he's still never missed a match. David might well have set a record for most unused outfield substitute. His 26-game tally exceeds the previous known total of 22 credited to Ricky Waddell in 2002-03. Whilst my 60s to 80s subs data is not fully accounted for at the moment, the fact that only 1 or 2 bench places were allowed back in the day increases the probability that David's total may be record-making. #watchingandlearning Neil's 9 minutes were scant but historically important, as the 16½ year-old became the youngest known Magyar to have played in the top-flight. Scott Boyd, who played in all 42 games of the 2006-07 campaign, stands as the last man to finish the season as an ever-present. Now there's a challenge for Abdul... Edited May 28, 2015 by The Jukebox Rebel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted May 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 (edited) 2014-15 Stats Watch Review GOALS Competitive Goals Table 2014-15 10 - Kris Doolan 7 - Ryan Stevenson 5 - Stephen O'Donnell 4 - Lyle Taylor 3 - Conrad Balatoni 3 - Gary Fraser 3 - Steven Lawless 3 - Stuart Bannigan 2 - Christie Elliott 2 - Freddy Frans 2 - James Craigen 2 - Kallum Higginbotham 2 - Nathan Eccleston 1 - Abdul Osman 1 - Dan Seaborne 1 - Jordan McMillan There were 2 own goals Notes: For the 3rd time in his Thistle career Kris does the goalscorers treble; top of the scoring charts in the League (9), Competitive (10) and All Games (11). Kris's all-time competitive goals tally rose from 65 to 75 this season, and he became the 21st Thistle player to reach this fantastic milestone. If the number nine could again take his competitive-games goals tally into double-figures in 2015-16, he would become only the second man in history to do it six seasons in-a-row. Kris finishes as Thistle's top League scorer for the 4th time and is the first man since Dougie Somner to do so. If he can do it a 5th time, he will join Willie Sharp with an all-time record tally of 5. Kris's 4 goal-haul against Hamilton in January still stands proudly as a unique record in the 2 year-old Scottish Premiership. Kris's goals have been perfectly balanced; 4 with his left, 3 with his right and 3 with his head. Conrad and Kris finished as joint-top scorers of headers with 3. Ryan and Stephen were top away day scorers with 3 apiece. There were 16 different goalscorers in the League this season - a spread which was only once more numerous in a top-flight campaign, when 17 scorers registered in season 1957-58. Despite Lyle becoming the 16th as far back as February, a record-equalling 17th scorer was not forthcoming. Stephen's wonder goal at Tannadice, assisted by Lyle, was nominated for the PFA Scotland Goal of the Season, but was finally beaten by Stephen Mallan's equally wonderful solo effort for St Mirren against Dundee. There's been some great goals this season but this one was, quite rightly, voted by the fans as Thistle's goal of the season. Freddy's 30-yarder at Victoria Park registers as this season's longest distance winner - and it had some competition. It was one of eleven Thistle goals from 18 yards or more. 11 of Thistle's 48 League goals (22.9%) came from open play, 18 yards or beyond. According to stats compiled by Thom Watt of STV, this was the highest such ratio for any team in this season's Premiership. Thistle's competitive goals-per-game tally (1.23) has been pretty poor overall, and sits at a lowly 114th out of the club's 137 competitive football seasons. 53 goals from 43 games (1.23 competitive goals per game) represents Thistle's lowest goals for ratio since Ian McCall's Jags returned a paltry 1.11 gpg in season 2007-08. Still, at least we're no' St Johnstone, eh? extra extra PTFC League Goals Table 2014-15 9 - Kris Doolan 5 - Ryan Stevenson 5 - Stephen O'Donnell 3 - Conrad Balatoni 3 - Gary Fraser 3 - Lyle Taylor 3 - Steven Lawless 3 - Stuart Bannigan 2 - Christie Elliott 2 - Freddy Frans 2 - James Craigen 2 - Kallum Higginbotham 1 - Abdul Osman 1 - Dan Seaborne 1 - Jordan McMillan 1 - Nathan Eccleston There were 2 own goals PTFC Competitive Goals Table 2014-15 10 - Kris Doolan 7 - Ryan Stevenson 5 - Stephen O'Donnell 4 - Lyle Taylor 3 - Conrad Balatoni 3 - Gary Fraser 3 - Steven Lawless 3 - Stuart Bannigan 2 - Christie Elliott 2 - Freddy Frans 2 - James Craigen 2 - Kallum Higginbotham 2 - Nathan Eccleston 1 - Abdul Osman 1 - Dan Seaborne 1 - Jordan McMillan There were 2 own goals PTFC All Goals Table 2014-15 11 - Kris Doolan 8 - Ryan Stevenson 5 - Gary Fraser 5 - Stephen O'Donnell 4 - Lyle Taylor 4 - Steven Lawless 3 - Christie Elliott 3 - Conrad Balatoni 3 - Kallum Higginbotham 3 - Stuart Bannigan 2 - Declan McDaid 2 - Freddy Frans 2 - James Craigen 2 - Nathan Eccleston 1 - Abdul Osman 1 - Dan Seaborne 1 - Jordan McMillan There were 3 own goals Edited May 28, 2015 by The Jukebox Rebel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted May 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 2014-15 Stats Watch Review ASSISTS Killie 2 Thistle 2, 24 January 2015 (BBC report): "1:09 Goal! Kilmarnock 0, Partick Thistle 1. Ryan Stevenson (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from outside the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Steven Lawless." TOTALLY WRONG. The assist was clearly provided by James Craigen. "78:38 Goal! Kilmarnock 2, Partick Thistle 1. Manuel Pascali (Kilmarnock) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Robbie Muirhead." TOTALLY WRONG. The assist was provided by Mark O'Hara. "83:43 Goal! Kilmarnock 2, Partick Thistle 2. Frederic Frans (Partick Thistle) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Kris Doolan." TOTALLY WRONG. The assist was clearly provided by Declan McDaid. These errors, in the above instances 3 out of 4 from the BBC report, are by no means isolated - Thistle's are littered over the course of the season and no doubt it's the same for other clubs. It's a real shame, as I think the assists tallies, if accurately recorded, could be a great addition to post-match and end of season reports. The above was the last straw for me and I decided, for the first time, to start recording the data to my own satisfaction in the great Jaggy database. Which wasn't as straight forward a task as it sounds. The stats world is all over the place in defining an assist, lacking any real clear universal standard. FIFA have an elaborate methodology for the World Cup where 2 or even 3 players can be credited in the move. They have changed from World Cup to World Cup. Fantasy football newspaper editors, looking to bump up assists numbers, give credits to players winning free kicks or penalties. Often, professional stats databases seem completely out of touch with the reality of what actually happened at the match. So with systems being all over the place and reporters being amazingly inaccurate regardless of the system, the whole business has really got no reliability. For what it's worth, I go with the OPTA standard, which seems to make most sense to me. They don't always record the data right (SPFL website was using their assists data but stopped), but i think they have the right idea in principle. The basics are that only 1 player can be credited with an assist, that the assist be awarded to the last player from the goal winning team to pass the ball to the scorer (deflections are allowed unless the direction of the ball has been dramatically changed), that no assists be awarded for the winning of a set-piece, that no assists be awarded from rebounds. So, it's about as offishul as a CD out of the Barras, but it plays alright for me and I'm a fussy bugger. Competitive Assists Table 2014-15 8 - Steven Lawless 7 - Kallum Higginbotham 6 - Stephen O'Donnell 4 - Gary Fraser 4 - Ryan Stevenson 4 - Stuart Bannigan 2 - Abdul Osman 2 - Christie Elliott 2 - Declan McDaid 2 - Jake Carroll 2 - Lyle Taylor 1 - Conrad Balatoni 1 - Dale Keenan 1 - James Craigen 1 - Nathan Eccleston There were 6 non-assists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 The basics are that only 1 player can be credited with an assist, that the assist be awarded to the last player from the goal winning team to pass the ball to the scorer (deflections are allowed unless the direction of the ball has been dramatically changed), that no assists be awarded for the winning of a set-piece, that no assists be awarded from rebounds. That's pretty much the way it works in ice hockey, which has been recording assists as part of the referee's job for over a century, though they allow assists to stand if a player scores his own rebound (much more common than in football). Interestingly it's impossible to score an own goal in ice hockey, the goal gets awarded to the last attacking player to touch the puck. Also, I'd like to thank you for all your work. I'm keen on stats myself and I look forward to your posts after every game, then bore my colleagues with them after reading. Keep up the great work, a pint will come your way should we ever meet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winter of '63 Posted May 28, 2015 Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 Your stats on this thread have been the equivalent of the Michelin Star on this forum in comparison to a lot of mince elsewhere - much appreciated JTR. I did wonder how you decided on assists. An obvious example is the contribution of Stevie Lawless to the third goal in the first game of the season against Ross County - he ran past three defenders and cut open their defence with a pass to Christie Elliot who passed to Gary Fraser who sidefooted home...but that doesn't count as an assist whereas the following week against Dundee Stevie touched the ball back for Gary to thump it in from 25 yards out and that is an assist. I suppose it shows that it evens itself out over the season...just like refereeing decisions apparently! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenziejag Posted May 29, 2015 Report Share Posted May 29, 2015 2014-15 Stats Watch Review APPEARANCES Notes: Including benchmen, 32 players were involved in the 43-game competitive campaign. That's 2 less than last season. The big trim is on. Stuart finishes with the most competitive appearances for the first time. Kris registers his highest-ever place finish despite the relatively small amount of game time, 1971 minutes. Cleary, everything he does is legendary. Abdul, who looked a cert to finish top dawg, was overtaken on the home straight thanks to some tactical bench play. He can console himself with the greatest amount of game time - and quite a few player of the year trophies! Stephen, player of the year for many, registered the longest unbroken run in the team, 29 games from 8th Nov 2014 to 23rd May 2015. Dan was the only one of the 32 who was never listed as a benchman. Paul was the only man to be listed in all 43 match day squads. Lyle has now played 36 games-in-a-row over the course of his two loan spells - he's still never missed a match. David might well have set a record for most unused outfield substitute. His 26-game tally exceeds the previous known total of 22 credited to Ricky Waddell in 2002-03. Whilst my 60s to 80s subs data is not fully accounted for at the moment, the fact that only 1 or 2 bench places were allowed back in the day increases the probability that David's total may be record-making. #watchingandlearning Neil's 9 minutes were scant but historically important, as the 16½ year-old became the youngest known Magyar to have played in the top-flight. Scott Boyd, who played in all 42 games of the 2006-07 campaign, stands as the last man to finish the season as an ever-present. Now there's a challenge for Abdul... I am sure there will be a logical explanation - but how does SOD start in all his appearances, come off once but still have average game time of 90 mins ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Willjag Posted May 29, 2015 Members Report Share Posted May 29, 2015 Subbed after 90+ minutes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
partickthedog Posted May 29, 2015 Report Share Posted May 29, 2015 Or played extra time v St Mirren in the League Cup, thus giving him 120 minutes in that game. Would also explain Conrad's 91 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda-jag Posted May 29, 2015 Report Share Posted May 29, 2015 just want to add my voice and appreciation to the jukebox statto, for his must read stats throughout the season, and the tremendous end of season stats and comparisons of past week. the speed and attention to detail you produce in the seemingly never ending jagtastic facts and stats is a joy to read and digest (well, most of the time ..... the ones in losing runs aren't so joyful), so thanks tjr, long may you continue to live long and statto. also, as an aside, imo tjrs stats prove we are currently in a period watching some of the best players, squad, management team, high level success the club has experienced in its 139 years. while perhaps not at the pinnacle of surpassing any of the greatest greats, another couple of years at this progress, and it may well be looked on in the future, as the golden age of following the magnificent maryhill jags. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
partickthedog Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Looks like I am becoming a statto as well. Listening to car radio on way home last night and Dougie Vipond kept trotting out the lazy phrase "Falkirk don't get to Scottish Cup finals very often". Something struck me as wrong and so I checked Wikipedia for the last 19 Scottish Cup Finals, including this year's. Guess who is in equal third place beside Hearts, Hibs and Dundee United, each with 3 appearances. Yes, you're right! Now, if he had said, "Partick Thistle don't get to Scottish Cup Finals very often", sadly he might have had a point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 ^ Sincere thanks to those putting some faith in my stats - it's me that'll be buying folk pints, ha-ha. I did wonder how you decided on assists. An obvious example is the contribution of Stevie Lawless to the third goal in the first game of the season against Ross County - he ran past three defenders and cut open their defence with a pass to Christie Elliot who passed to Gary Fraser who sidefooted home...but that doesn't count as an assist whereas the following week against Dundee Stevie touched the ball back for Gary to thump it in from 25 yards out and that is an assist. I suppose it shows that it evens itself out over the season...just like refereeing decisions apparently! Yep, I feel it when some of the playmakers don't get the credit, probably the best example would be Callum Booth's overlap and low drive into the six yard box for Lyle's second against 'Well, thwarted for an assist due to Lyle's initial attempt being saved by the 'keeper. It's like a penalty - Jamie Hamill officially missed his penalty at Firhill the other week, even though he immediately scored when the ball rebounded back into open play. In my opinion, introducing subjectivity is a big no-no for the stats world, especially if different bodies are making the calls. And rewinding back to judge the quality of the input from second and third players in moves would lead to all sorts of chaos. I reckon the most important thing is that there is consistency (and accuracy!) with the assists credits and, like you say, it can work for and against the playmakers from goal to goal. Ref decisions evening themselves out???? Don't get me started. I am sure there will be a logical explanation - but how does SOD start in all his appearances, come off once but still have average game time of 90 mins ? Subbed after 90+ minutes? Or played extra time v St Mirren in the League Cup, thus giving him 120 minutes in that game. Would also explain Conrad's 91 minutes. Thanks for the query Lenzie - I'm relying on folks to keep an eye out on things. We're ok on this one - Stephen O'Donnells average game time is 89.55 minutes (he only lost 17 minutes at McDiarmid Park in January) so the table shows 90 mins as it's rounded up or down to the nearest whole minute. In hindsight, I could have done with an asterisk to say so. Amateur! Re Conrad, yes his average comes in at 91 mins (90.51) due to the fact that he played 30 mins ET vs St Mirren in the League Cup and only lost a season total of 12 mins game time in his only substitution at Pittodrie in August. At the risk of boring the norms, a quick explanation on the "game time". In the interests of data integrity, I'm big on putting as many fail safes as possible. One of these is to make sure that game time only ever adds up to 90 mins per player per match (or 120 mins as the case may be). For this to happen, I have a default award for substitutions made in injury time, namely that 89 mins be awarded to the player coming off and only 1 min be awarded to the player coming on. Whilst this could perhaps be deemed a weakness of my system, I'm of the view it's actually a massive positive. When dealing with masses of data over decades in time, it's extremely re-assuring to know that 37,620 minutes equates to a full 38 game Premiership campaign for 11 players and that my totals add up (like they always do!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 2014-15 Stats Watch Review DEFENCE Notes: Freddy is undoubtedly top man in terms of positive defence stats. He has returned the highest ratio of clean sheets and the lowest ratio of goals conceded per game. Freddy's 1.00 goals per game concession ratio is definitely the lowest of any Thistle player in the top-flight this century and probably for many decades (of those who played 10+ games in a campaign) Ryan's strong finish underlines the fact that the Celtic Park drubbing and the home collapse to Killie were absolutely nothing to do with him. Paul (1.14) > Scott (1.25) in terms of goals conceded per game. Scott (41.7%) > Paul (23.8%) in terms of clean sheets to game ratios. Of Thistle's 15 clean sheets, Scott returned 10 to Paul's 5. Scott Fox's clean sheet ratio (41.7%) was the highest for a goalie in a top-flight season for 94 years (discounting those who played just a handful of games). Kenny Campbell, in his record-making 21 clean-sheets season, had a ratio of 42.9% in season 1920-21. Nathan can't have enjoyed his time on the park, losing 16 goals in just over 4 hours of action. No wonder he never looked happy. Ben Richards-Everton (2 games), Jack Hendry (1 game) and Neil McLaughlin (1 game) can claim 100% competitive clean-sheet records for the season! Thistle's overall goals lost ratio was damaged somewhat by the loss of 6 League Cup goals at Celtic Park, but the League ratio (1.16 per game, not shown) represented Thistle's 7th best defensive performance in 82 top-flight seasons. Thistle finished the season with an impressive 12 clean sheets in the League, last bettered at this level in 1930-31 when 13 were returned in the top-flight. Thistle finished the season with an incredible tally of 15 competitive clean sheets - almost 35% of the games played. It was the 6th highest % return for any top-flight season in Thistle's history and the greatest since 1920-21. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 2014-15 Stats Watch Review POINTS PER GAME Notes: Jordan McMillan started off his season with a 4-0 clean-sheet win against County and ended it with a 4-0 clean-sheet win at Inverness. What a waste of talent. Statiscally, Scott has had an excellent season. The points-per-game disparity with Paul is incredible. Reasonably limiting the query to those who played at least 10 games in the given campaign, his 1.5 points-per-game is the best competitive games return for a Thistle goalie in a top-flight season since George Niven's tally of 1.77 in 1962-63. Although not shown, actual category leaders were Sean Welsh (2.33) who played in 3 games and Ben Richards-Everton (2.00) who played twice. Thistle's ppg return of 1.21 in the League (not shown) was the highest top-flight ratio since Bertie Auld's Jags returned 1.31 ppg in season 1979-80. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Putting aside the fact he let both us and himself down big time, McMillan's on field contribution was not inconsiderable. In fact I was very impressed with the way he handled the left back spot. Big loss methinks and just as well the problems arose relatively early in the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allyo Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 (edited) Quite incredible that a guy who missed our run-in can end up with top points average Edited May 31, 2015 by allyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jukebox Rebel Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 (edited) 2014-15 Stats Watch Review THE SUMMARY OVERVIEW JULY 9th: Thistle play a Spanish side for the first-time ever, coming from behind to defeat F.C. Pinatar by 3-1. 9th: Thistle play on the same day as a World Cup Finals match for the second time. 9th: Spain becomes the 23rd country to provide opposition to Partick Thistle. 9th: Thistle play non Scottish opposition for the 23rd season-in-a-row, an unprecedented run. 19th: Thistle start with 7 non-Scots in a friendly at Dumbarton creating a new club-record. Over the course of the whole ninety minutes, a total of ten Thistle appearances are registered by non-Scots – another new club-record in itself. AUGUST 6th: A new club record is set for the longest time span between fixtures as Thistle meet a Sunderland XI, 126 years, 7 months and 3 days after having last met them in January 1888. 13th: Thistle open the League season with a 4-0 win at home to County. It’s the club’s joint-second best opening day win in the top-flight and the biggest since 1957 when the QP were slain by six to none. 13th: Thistle’s 22-year 8-game unbeaten run for top-flight openers, which began in 1992, duly continues, and is the longest by time-span amongst our Premiership peer-group. Rangers, in 1981, are the last side to defeat the Jags in a top flight opener. SEPTEMBER 23rd: Nathan Ecclestone’s extra-time winner against St Mirren sees Thistle qualify for their first League Cup Quarter Final since 2002. OCTOBER 4th: Thistle defeat Motherwell 3-1 at Firhill. From the 80th to the 89th minute there are seven non-Scots on the field for Thistle, equalling the record set in the pre-season match at Dumbarton, and setting a new club-record in competitive games. The occurrence will subsequently be repeated a few times, but still stands as a joint-record. NOVEMBER 1st: It’s now 16 competitive games since back-to-back wins, draws or losses - a new club-record, which increases in the months to come. Ironic really, in a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at Hamilton in which Thistle were losing, drawing and winning! DECEMBER 6th: For the 1-1 draw at home to Killie there are seven non-Scots in a competitive Thistle starting line-up for the first time ever, an occurrence which will subsequently be equalled. 13th: At the Caledonian Stadium, Partick Thistle defeat Inverness CT by 4 goals to nothing, the 100th occasion in which Thistle triumph with a 4 goal margin in the top-flight. The victory is all the more remarkable as the home side are second in the table and protecting an unbeaten home record. Alan Archibald's Jags become only the second side in the club’s history to win by a 4 goal away margin vs. a Top 2 side in the top-flight, following a similar result at Pittodrie in 1956. 20th: James Craigen puts Thistle ahead at home to Dundee and becomes the first Jag to be honoured with “the big shout out” on the tannoy. JANUARY 4th: Injury-ravaged Thistle list only 5 League substitutes for the first time since seven subs were allowed in our Division. Ten Scots start for Thistle for the first time since 16th March 2013. They battle for a heart-warming 2-2 draw with Dundee United. 21st: Kris Doolan sets a record, still standing, for the new Scottish Premiership by becoming the first player to register a haul of four in a single match, as Jags crush Accies by 5 to 0. 21st: Archie guides Thistle to their 14th victory in the Premiership, and duly overtakes Mr. Symon in the managers' table for Partick Thistle Top Flight wins. 24th: Freddy Frans puts his country well and truly on the Thistle history map by scoring at Rugby Park, ensuring Belgium’s place in the 17-strong League of Nations Thistle scoring charts. FEBRUARY 7th: Defeat to Inverness in the Scottish Cup brings to an end a barmy club-record run of 29 competitive games without a back to back victory, defeat or draw. This run smashes the previous record of 15 set back in 1920! Somewhat heroically, Thistle have played 34 competitive games without back to back defeats up until this point, 29th Mar 2014 to 30th Jan 2015. It’s the all-time 4th longest run of its kind in top-flight seasons, and the best since 1956. 28th: For only the second time in our competitive match history, seven non-Scots are in a Partick Thistle line up, and they deliver a cracking 2-0 win at Tannadice, halting a 5-game losing run. MARCH 14th: Despite an emphatic 3-0 victory against the eventual European qualifiers, St Johnstone, Thistle equal a 115 year-old club-record by playing 69 competitive matches without back to back wins. 21st: A late Stevie Lawless winner vs Inverness sends the Firhill diehards daft, as the Jags put an end to the back to back wins hoodoo, avoiding a new club-record at the eleventh hour. Curiously, Inverness are now responsible for ending both our non-back-to-back loss sequence (in the Scottish Cup in February) and our non-back-to-back wins sequence. 21st: By winning all nine points against Inverness CT, Thistle take maximum League points from what we now know to be a European qualifier, for the first time ever. 27th: Lyle Taylor becomes the 32nd player to gain an officially recognised International Cap whilst a Partick Thistle player, when he lines up in front of 9,000 for Montserrat’s World Cup Qualifier away to Curaçao. Brilliantly, Lyle scores, becoming only the second Jag to have scored on his international debut, joining the great Willie Paul who did so away back in 1888. Lyle becomes just the 5th player in history to score an international goal whilst a Magyar. 31st: Lyle wins his second cap for Montserrat in their return fixture with Curaçao. It’s the 144th cap to be directly awarded to a Partick Thistle player - a proud average of more than one per season since 1876! Before, during and after their tenures at Firhill, Thistle's 32 internationalists have now amassed a grand total of 345 officially recognised International Caps. APRIL 8th: James Craigen receives a career-first red at Celtic Park, as Willie Collum maintains his incredible anti-Thistle decision-making ratio by sending off a Jagsman for the seventh time. 8th: For the first time since 1973-74, Thistle are blanked by two sides in a single League campaign, having failed to score in 6 games against Aberdeen and Celtic. 8th: The 2-0 reverse at Celtic Park sees Thistle re-set the high for the club-record for consecutive losses to the same team in the League, now standing at 16 games in-a-row. 11th: With the 2-0 win at home to Motherwell, a Thistle victory is achieved, once again, to nil – an amazing feature of the campaign. It’s the eighth victory in-a-row to be achieved in this way, equalling the club-record for the category at any level. It’s only the 4th time that had been done in a top-flight season and the first time that it’s been done in a top-flight season since 1916. 25th: With a fine 2-1 victory at County, Archie moves ahead of “the committee” with 19 wins in the manager’s top-flight table, and Premiership safety is all but guaranteed. Next target: Davie McParland on 31. MAY 2nd: On match day 35,Thistle secure Premiership safety in fine style with a 3-0 win at home to St Mirren. In this campaign, five victories by 3+ goal margins have been registered in the top-flight for the first time since 1956-57. 2nd: Kris Doolan registers his 10th competitive goal of the season, becoming only the third Jag in history to go into double figures five seasons-in-a-row. It proves to be his last goal of the season, and his 9 goal League tally is enough to finish top League scorer for the 4th time – a feat only bettered by Willie Sharp who did it 5 times. 9th: Archie reaches his 100th competitive game in charge with a 1-1 draw at Hamilton, as Jags go 4 competitive games unbeaten for the first time this season. 16th: Thistle, going for a record-making 5 home wins-in-a-row with a clean-sheet, are instead defeated by a record-equalling 1-4 loss to Kilmarnock. This game sees an eighth consecutive competitive penalty award going to the opposition – possibly a new club-record. Thistle will finish the season as the only Premiership side without a converted penalty to their credit. It will turn out to be the first season since 1973-74 that there have been no competitive penalty goals in the Thistle scoring charts. 23rd: At Fir Park, Neil McLaughlin registers the youngest known top-flight appearance for a Jag, aged just 16 years, 6 months, 17 days. 23rd: Thistle fail to score away from home for the 11th time in 19 League games, 58% of the games played. Across Britain's 10 main senior Leagues, only the fans of Ballinamallard United (62% in the Northern Irish Premiership) have been goal-starved more often on their travels this season. 23rd: At Fir Park, Scott Fox ends his Thistle career by taking his competitive clean-sheets tally into double figures – remarkable enough for a Thistle goalie in a top-flight season, never mind the fact that he only played in 24 games! Of ‘keepers who played at least 10 games in a campaign, Scott Fox’s clean-sheet ratio of 41.7% (10 out of 24) is the greatest return in a top-flight season since Kenny Campbell who, in his record clean-sheets tally season, had a ratio of 42.9% (21 out of 49) in 1920-21. 23rd: In the League, conceding 1.16 League goals per game represents Thistle's 7th best defensive performance in 82 top-flight seasons – the best since 1978-79. 23rd: In total, Thistle finish the season with an incredible tally of 15 competitive clean sheets - almost 35% of the games played. It's the 6th highest % return for any top-flight season in Thistle's history and it's almost 100 years since the ratio was last bettered in this class - George Easton's legendary side of 1920-21 returned 41.8%, which included an incredible 8 out of 11 in the Scottish Cup alone. 23rd: Thistle set a new club-record for goal difference in the top-flight with an impressive final tally of +4, beating the previous best of +3 which was set back in 1978-79. The tally betters St Johnstone who qualified for Europe despite being 4 goals worse off than the Jags. Summary And so Thistle survived the “second season back in the Top Flight” – a relief having failed at the last attempt in 2003-04. Looking ahead, Thistle have never failed to successfully navigate the course in the third season, having finished 5th= (1904-05), 11th (1973-74), 8th (1978-79) and 8th (1994-95). The next challenge for Archie’s reign is to match Lambie’s achievement of keeping the Jags up 3 times in-a-row. There are many positive signs that say he can do it – despite the budget constraints. Along with Aberdeen and Inverness CT, Thistle can lay claim to have progressed their 2013/14 position in the 5 main areas; improved League position (10th to 8th), won more games (12 to 8), scored more goals (48 to 46), conceded less goals (44 to 65) and gained more points (38 to 46). In 2014-15, the defensive stats have challenged in the all-time great categories, although top-flight goals continue to be hard to come by, especially away from home, excepting sporadic bursts of the extra-ordinary variety. The bottom line is, under Alan Archibald, Thistle’s League position has improved for the third season in a row. In the final analysis, from the perspective of Thistle’s entire history, it’s been a decent season. In modern day terms, it’s been a really good season. In Archie we most definitely trust and, personally, I can’t wait for 2015-16. Ladies and gents, this has been your Stats Watch, complete with many tales of the unexpected. Well, it is Thistle after all. Thanks to all for reading, with a special thanks to those who commented and chipped in, and therefore made the thread ten times better by doing so. Mon the Jags! Edited June 1, 2015 by The Jukebox Rebel 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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