Partick Thistle 🟡🔴 Vs Dunfermline Athletic ⚪️⚫️

[Alb]

33 minutes ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

On Saturday the Scottish Indoor 3000m Mens Athletic Record was broken 

the Man who broke it - Jake Wightman is a World Champion at 1500m 

The previous holder broke it 36 Years ago wearing 9 Year Old Spikes -as he had no Shoe Sponsor or any income from Athletics 

His Technology was a Casio Watch which had a start and stop button ( and sometimes a wee light to see it in the dark 😊) 

But it took 36 Years and one of the best Athletes in the World to break the Record 

So - in short its not complicated - but Football  has a habit of making simple things complicated 

The Squad play as a Group - They train as a Group - those unfit will have nowhere to hide - too much “ personal attention “ - too much mollycoddling them - they work there arse off or there dropped 

As for “ Professional Sport” Fitzy would get his arse felt at the Local Park Run 

If we lived near Sand Dunes that would be even better 😊( Jock Wallace was light years ahead of other Clubs ) 😱

 

 

 

I think we can correct quite a bit of that, Jake won in a championship best, slower than the native and national record, both currently held by josh kerr and set about 12 months ago. As it was the championship best, that means there is a maximum of 1 time per year to beat it, and most times championship races are slow and tactical and historically were ran at the Kelvin hall, where doing a 3k was torture so most people avoided it and we're doing cross country races instead.

As for sand dunes, I will agree they have a place, but that place isn't mid season when games come thick and fast with little time to recover between.

Having said all of that, Saturdays performance was awful and I'd give pass marks to only 1 or 2 of those out there......players can only do what they are asked, so either they are ignoring it....or the plan didn't work, so should have been changed.

[Lenziejag]

13 minutes ago, Third Lanark said:

I do recall you saying at end of September you would give him to end of December to see how he did Sandy.  

Do you really think we have improved at all.  Do you think he has used his budget wisely?  I would have to say personally I think it would be a no to both questions and we are going nowhere 

At the end of September we had 8 points from 7 games. Between October and December we got 24 points from 12 games. There was an obvious improvement in that period. 

There are definitely some players that don’t look good enough for this league. Neilson, Ablade and Smith who were all last minute signings, I think.Sayers also doesn’t look up to it.

Turner hasn’t performed the way I expected him to and I always thought the hype around Megwa was a bit much. Ashcroft is a typical Centre back, but so slow and got caught out on Saturday.

The 1st 4 are young guys that would fit laukat’s model(at least 2 of them - not sure where Smith was). Most folk thought Turner, Ashcroft and Megwa were really good signings. O’Reilly and Robert’s have been pretty consistent week in, week out. So, I think that just leaves Crawford, who hasn’t worked out and McKay.

I think a squad of 23 or 24 is about right based on the number of injuries we have had this season and last, but I do agree that we need players in their mid 20s.

The other thing I would say is that I think knowing what you need in terms of squad members and getting them are two entirely different things.

[laukat]

4 minutes ago, Lenziejag said:

At the end of September we had 8 points from 7 games. Between October and December we got 24 points from 12 games. There was an obvious improvement in that period. 

There are definitely some players that don’t look good enough for this league. Neilson, Ablade and Smith who were all last minute signings, I think.Sayers also doesn’t look up to it.

Turner hasn’t performed the way I expected him to and I always thought the hype around Megwa was a bit much. Ashcroft is a typical Centre back, but so slow and got caught out on Saturday.

The 1st 4 are young guys that would fit laukat’s model(at least 2 of them - not sure where Smith was). Most folk thought Turner, Ashcroft and Megwa were really good signings. O’Reilly and Robert’s have been pretty consistent week in, week out. So, I think that just leaves Crawford, who hasn’t worked out and McKay.

I think a squad of 23 or 24 is about right based on the number of injuries we have had this season and last, but I do agree that we need players in their mid 20s.

The other thing I would say is that I think knowing what you need in terms of squad members and getting them are two entirely different things.

This might put me in the minority of 1 but I thought Smith has looked ok when in his last 2 sub appearances (Livingston and Dunfermline) but he's another one that's suffered because Doolan won't drop Fitzpatrick.

Also thought Nilsson was decent and we could be doing with him just now but he's not been seen in months so who knows what's happened there. 

I'm not sure we will ever know with Ablade if he is or isn't good enough as he never gets to start and if he does get on he's usually forced to play as some sort of wide player as it appears we have to stick with 4-2-3-1 at all costs much like we had to stick with 4-3-3 under McCall.

Sayers does look some way of the standard. He doesn't appear to like physical contact nor have the desire to get up and down the park. 

[laukat]

20 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

Remember Paul McGrillen? He was a dirty hated Bstd playing against us but became our own dirty wee Bstd. when we signef him.

Yes, always thought of him more as a pest but a great pest to have on your own team. He was a better player than most gave him credit for. R.I.P

Plenty of other Bstd's that you hated to come up against but loved on your own team.

Tommy Turner (Kyle's dad) springs to mind. Hated him for Morton loved him for us. Roddy Grant was another from that period that had that quality. Also Charnley when he was with Clydebank. Colin McGlashan. The list could go on for a while.

Part of our problem nowadays is we don't have that many players that would happily kick their Granny for a throw in and saturday showed you the difference between a Dunfermline team that would kicked a crips packet drifting on to the pitch and our team who would have waited for the same crisp packet to come to rest, taken 3 touches to control it and played it backwards.

[Alb]

5 hours ago, Jag said:

Myles Roberts has been recalled by Watford. People may have not seen that their keeper sustained a bad injury at weekend and was stretchered off.

Although they had him lined up to go to Ross County, that may not be happening now.

Quote from Watford coming he might be staying with them, and that his time with us was positive...."

“Myles Roberts has just come back from Partick Thistle, but although we had another loan experience ready for him we’ll have to re-assess for now on that one.

“[Fellow young professional goalkeeper] Alfie Marriott has got a toe issue which needs surgery. Although it’s not ideal, we can put that off for a while, just to see this period through.

“This next week or so will give us a chance to have a good look at Myles to see where he’s at after what’s been a positive experience for him.”"

[Norgethistle]

5 hours ago, Jordanhill Jag said:

He has been offloaded Mid Season to save money - hence going to Ross County - its not a Recall 

Its a Firesale of Cost Cuts 

Nonsense

He was recalled by Watford 

[laukat]

2 hours ago, Lenziejag said:

The last time we got promoted, we got lucky with Archibald taking over a team that couldn’t win away from home and going on an unbeaten run. We almost got lucky again with Doolan taking an underperforming teaming and turning it around. Whether he has what it takes in the long run, I don’t know. But getting rid of him and taking a punt on somebody else would be the same kind of decision as adding £300K to the playing budget to get promoted - A gamble. 
If we are to get rid of Doolan, we need someone that has already got the experience of getting clubs promoted from the championship more than once.

If we're looking for someone who has won the Championship more than once then that means there is only one candidate - Robbie Neilson. However unless he's wanting to get back to Glasgow that doesn't look likely.

If we are willing to look at those that have won the championship that are out of work then there is Neil Lennon and Mark Warburton. Lennon seems more attainable than Warburton.

 

 

[CotterJag]

21 minutes ago, Alb said:

Quote from Watford coming he might be staying with them, and that his time with us was positive...."

“Myles Roberts has just come back from Partick Thistle, but although we had another loan experience ready for him we’ll have to re-assess for now on that one.

“[Fellow young professional goalkeeper] Alfie Marriott has got a toe issue which needs surgery. Although it’s not ideal, we can put that off for a while, just to see this period through.

“This next week or so will give us a chance to have a good look at Myles to see where he’s at after what’s been a positive experience for him.”"

Good to hear. Couldn't stand the thought of him going to RC.

Maybe the favourable experience could lead to Watford sending us another player or two on loan.

[jlsarmy]

3 hours ago, laukat said:

If we're looking for someone who has won the Championship more than once then that means there is only one candidate - Robbie Neilson. However unless he's wanting to get back to Glasgow that doesn't look likely.

If we are willing to look at those that have won the championship that are out of work then there is Neil Lennon and Mark Warburton. Lennon seems more attainable than Warburton.

 

 

Neil Lennon is not even remotely within our reach 

Our supporters need a reality check 

We got beat for the first time at home this season and the reaction has been totally knee jerk 

Rewind to when McCall was here in his last season, hammered by Arbroath and Queens Park 4 nil both times at home followed by games against Cove and Hamilton which got him the sack 

It’s not been great this season but Doolan turned things around at the Club after McCall was sacked , if you lose players like Docherty, Holt , Tiff and McMillan there is always going to be a transition period as we couldn’t afford to replace these players like for like 

Probably the biggest mistake we’ve made this season is the quantity of players rather than a lesser squad with a bit more quality.

[Third Lanark]

1 hour ago, jlsarmy said:

Neil Lennon is not even remotely within our reach 

Our supporters need a reality check 

We got beat for the first time at home this season and the reaction has been totally knee jerk 

Rewind to when McCall was here in his last season, hammered by Arbroath and Queens Park 4 nil both times at home followed by games against Cove and Hamilton which got him the sack 

It’s not been great this season but Doolan turned things around at the Club after McCall was sacked , if you lose players like Docherty, Holt , Tiff and McMillan there is always going to be a transition period as we couldn’t afford to replace these players like for like 

Probably the biggest mistake we’ve made this season is the quantity of players rather than a lesser squad with a bit more quality.

The position we are in under Doolan currently is not that different to where we were when McCall was sacked- completely mediocre.

we just got a hammering at the weekend in case you had forgotten. Also been knocked out of cups by lower league teams who we should not be losing too.

Your happy accepting mediocrity as long as it means keeping Doolan

[Jordanhill Jag]

5 hours ago, laukat said:

If we're looking for someone who has won the Championship more than once then that means there is only one candidate - Robbie Neilson. However unless he's wanting to get back to Glasgow that doesn't look likely.

If we are willing to look at those that have won the championship that are out of work then there is Neil Lennon and Mark Warburton. Lennon seems more attainable than Warburton.

 

 

Agreed - he lived in the West End of Glasgow - not sure if his Family moved to Florida - if not I think he would be tempted 

[Jordanhill Jag]

13 minutes ago, Third Lanark said:

The position we are in under Doolan currently is not that different to where we were when McCall was sacked- completely mediocre.

we just got a hammering at the weekend in case you had forgotten. Also been knocked out of cups by lower league teams who we should not be losing too.

Your happy accepting mediocrity as long as it means keeping Doolan

Actually under McCall it was Rangers who knocked  us out of the Cup and we earned £250K as a Result ( which stopped us going bust ) 

But apart from that your spot on 

[Jordanhill Jag]

5 hours ago, Norgethistle said:

Nonsense

He was recalled by Watford 

Really ? 
 

So we are not trying to offload players to cut costs ? 

[Jordanhill Jag]

8 hours ago, Alb said:

I think we can correct quite a bit of that, Jake won in a championship best, slower than the native and national record, both currently held by josh kerr and set about 12 months ago. As it was the championship best, that means there is a maximum of 1 time per year to beat it, and most times championship races are slow and tactical and historically were ran at the Kelvin hall, where doing a 3k was torture so most people avoided it and we're doing cross country races instead.

As for sand dunes, I will agree they have a place, but that place isn't mid season when games come thick and fast with little time to recover between.

Having said all of that, Saturdays performance was awful and I'd give pass marks to only 1 or 2 of those out there......players can only do what they are asked, so either they are ignoring it....or the plan didn't work, so should have been changed.

Yes - your correct on the stats - but the point that it stood for 36 Years and there was no “ Technology” plus Al Currie Broke it using a Pair of Spikes that were 9 Years Old as he was skint ( No “ plates” in these days) 

my point being that Fitness is not complicated - Im not suggesting Sand Dunes - but a hard Structured Fitness Session on a Monday leaves plenty of time to recover for Saturday 

its about mental as well as physical toughening - we are Weak on the Park & off it 

[jlsarmy]

57 minutes ago, Third Lanark said:

The position we are in under Doolan currently is not that different to where we were when McCall was sacked- completely mediocre.

we just got a hammering at the weekend in case you had forgotten. Also been knocked out of cups by lower league teams who we should not be losing too.

Your happy accepting mediocrity as long as it means keeping Doolan

Not happy about getting beat but the differences from what I watched latterly with McCall are like night and day 

[Third Lanark]

21 minutes ago, jlsarmy said:

Not happy about getting beat but the differences from what I watched latterly with McCall are like night and day 

I’d say it’s a lot closer than you think- players unfit and looking uninterested, questionable tactics and coaching.  Appears lost in how to fix it.

Its very very similar 

[Norgethistle]

On 1/7/2025 at 1:14 AM, Jordanhill Jag said:

Really ? 
 

So we are not trying to offload players to cut costs ? 

Yes we are trying to offload players who aren’t featuring, which is the norm in January, but he isn’t one of them due to his performances 

Edited Wednesday at 08:17 PM by Norgethistle

[Lenziejag]

1 hour ago, Norgethistle said:

Yes we are, but he isn’t one of them due to his performances 

When was that decision taken and what led to it ?

[Norgethistle]

1 hour ago, Lenziejag said:

When was that decision taken and what led to it ?

Welshy announced it in hospitality on Saturday that Watford had recalled him.

 

[scotty]

1 hour ago, Lenziejag said:

When was that decision taken and what led to it ?

 

9 minutes ago, Norgethistle said:

Welshy announced it in hospitality on Saturday that Watford had recalled him.

 

The important part of this, which certain posters seem to miss, is that this decision was taken by Watford!

[Weebaw1]

16 hours ago, Dr.D said:

Remember Paul McGrillen? He was a dirty hated Bstd playing against us but became our own dirty wee Bstd. when we signef him.

No! He turned out to be quite a nice chap.

And an excellent player who took no crao!

[Cork Jag]

12 hours ago, Third Lanark said:

I’d say it’s a lot closer than you think- players unfit and looking uninterested, questionable tactics and coaching.  Appears lost in how to fix it.

Its very very similar 

That was my first home game this year. My only other match was Falkirk away at start of season - so I sure can pick them & apologies for bringing my jinx to the game.

What I can say about both matches is they totally align to that statement above.  Players look short of belief in the method they are playing or trying to play, no plan B, turned over by teams who player for player may (or may not) have less skill, but certainly had effective way of closing down, getting ball up pitch faster, attacking with more variety or intent.   

There's a nucleus of good players (McBeth, O'Reilly, Graham included) but relying solely on trying go up the wings or defence unable to play forward cause of lack of movement and a midfield that moves like an oil tanker looks like poor coaching to me.

How people can watch that every week with any faith,  belief or enjoyment I don't know & I applaud you all for your resilience.

Even if we scrape into the playoffs, we would never go up and to me we are drifting in the wrong direction

So maybe unfair to judge on what I was told was our worst Firhill performance for seasons along with reading this forum daily. What I can say though is I left thinking I wont be rushing back next time I'm back over & I just want to tune out until next season and see where we are at then.  I think I'd have to go back to losing 6-0 at home to Gretna to having left feeling that scunnered. 

[Lenziejag]

5 hours ago, Norgethistle said:

Welshy announced it in hospitality on Saturday that Watford had recalled him.

 

I meant the decision to cut costs.

[Derby Jag]

41 minutes ago, Lenziejag said:

I meant the decision to cut costs.

Agreed. 

This has just seemingly been flippantly said (by a TFJ board member???) without any official communication. 

[Jordanhill Jag]

7 hours ago, Norgethistle said:

Welshy announced it in hospitality on Saturday that Watford had recalled him.

 

Well - Welshy will obviously repeat what he was told to 

However - Im told we are cutting squad costs as quickly as possible -to try and stem the losses -and offloading any wage we can 

So lets face it neither of us know 100% if it was Watford who wanted him back - or Thistle looking for an opportunity to offload wages and not pushing to keep him ( if he goes to Ross County -Im siding with the latter) 

The info on our Financial State and the reasons for it - changes with every Q&A and every Financial Statement 

We are told whichever version the Board want us to hear - so I take anything said by the Club with a large pinch of Salt 

TJF are not the arbiter of all information from the Club