2025/26 squad

[partickthedog]

1 hour ago, lady-isobel-barnett said:

He evidently had a very good game.

The only downside about his loan spell appears to be he's being used mainly as a fullback. Even played as a left back on occasion. 

That may not be totally a bad thing (if he comes back to us mid-season). We are not short of central midfielders, especially when Ben Stanway, Robbie Crawford and Scott Martin are all fully restored. However, we are somewhat light on fullback cover.

[thornwoodjag]

Don’t think we really need to do much in January. A centre half and a winger to challenge Aidan n Logan ( could b e something in the pipeline there). 
Not too fussed about another striker coming in as I don’t think we rely on ‘ a number 9’ as much, goals are nicely spread about the team. However, I see Danny Mullen is coming back to Scotland from Ireland. Could do worse than have him back.
Got a feeling we won’t see Mackay or Lawless in a thistle shirt again come February 1st. 
Two worries are Smyth going back to St Mirren and any PCA announcements regarding our players ( if there are any). Hopefully neither happens. 

[Very Bitter Jag]

4 hours ago, thornwoodjag said:

Don’t think we really need to do much in January. A centre half and a winger to challenge Aidan n Logan ( could b e something in the pipeline there). 
Not too fussed about another striker coming in as I don’t think we rely on ‘ a number 9’ as much, goals are nicely spread about the team. However, I see Danny Mullen is coming back to Scotland from Ireland. Could do worse than have him back.
Got a feeling we won’t see Mackay or Lawless in a thistle shirt again come February 1st. 
Two worries are Smyth going back to St Mirren and any PCA announcements regarding our players ( if there are any). Hopefully neither happens. 

Prefeably a left sided centre back. At least Martin should be back if Smyth does go (hope he doesn't). Also hope we keep McPherson. Would be sad to see Lawless go, especially if Chambers does sign a PCA. Feel for Dan Mackay! 

[jagfox]

5 hours ago, thornwoodjag said:

a winger to challenge Aidan n Logan ( could b e something in the pipeline there). 

👀

[laukat]

We do have quite a small squad. 21 in total but minus loans only 17 permanent signings. We have to assume we are going to feature in the playoffs so will need a larger squad to get through that. Possibly 21 becomes 23.

Defence is the area that needs the most attention in January. Ideally another centre-back, another fullback would be good as we only really have 5 first team ready championship standard defenders.

I like Scott Martin and whilst he's defensively stronger than Smyth he's not got the same playmaking ability so getting Smyth to the end of the season is a must if we are to sustain a challenge. With Martin fit it probably does mean McCardle is surplus. I also suspect if Crawford was fit that Turner would be well down the pecking order for midfield slots.

Wilson clearly likes pace in his wingers so someone quicker to push Chalmers and Fitzpatrick would be good.

Up front we do need a 3rd striker and I don't think recalling Diack or Horn helps us or them at this stage. We have been lucky with injuries so getting another one in would help.

In terms of departures, I think MacKay needs a new setting to hopefully release a wage for a new winger and McCardle probably returns to Celtic. Apart from that its not impossible that Lawless and Turner head out on loan to teams willing to give them starting positions. I don't see either being at Firhill next season

[lady-isobel-barnett]

I doubt if MacKay was to leave it would free up any immediate cash. Perhaps after he 's played a set number of games at a new club.

A feature of this season has been substitutions either making a difference or at worst not letting performance drop. Lately we've had a strong bench. So it's rather surprising we feel we need to strengthen the squad. But we probably do.

[Thistle_1876]

22 minutes ago, lady-isobel-barnett said:

I doubt if MacKay was to leave it would free up any immediate cash. Perhaps after he 's played a set number of games at a new club.

A feature of this season has been substitutions either making a difference or at worst not letting performance drop. Lately we've had a strong bench. So it's rather surprising we feel we need to strengthen the squad. But we probably do.

Think Mackay and Lawless are two of the higher paid member's of the squad so could free up a decent bit of the budget if they find new clubs, not sure which club would take Mackay right enough unless it was pay as you play, certainly not proven to be worth a contract of any length at present.

[Jaggernaut]

3 hours ago, Thistle_1876 said:

Think Mackay and Lawless are two of the higher paid member's of the squad so could free up a decent bit of the budget if they find new clubs, not sure which club would take Mackay right enough unless it was pay as you play, certainly not proven to be worth a contract of any length at present.

Maybe the same could be said for Lawless. Understandably, Chalmers and Fitzy are our de facto starting wingers. When he has come on as a sub, Lawless has done OK, but enough to be here next year (especially if by some miracle we end up in the top flight)? I'm not so sure. I admire SL, but unless it was a kind of paid-if-you-play deal, I'm not sure about his position at Firhill next season. Either way, I'll accept it!

[Jaggernaut]

I don't think it's needed in January, but let's hold on to Diack. He can clearly score when he gets opportunities. 

Watt recently got his first goal in something like eight games. He's a "striker," but his work apart from scoring goals is also rightly appreciated.

Let's not prematurely release a young guy who looks like he has the potential to go much further.

[elevenone]

10 minutes ago, Jaggernaut said:

I don't think it's needed in January, but let's hold on to Diack. He can clearly score when he gets opportunities. 

Watt recently got his first goal in something like eight games. He's a "striker," but his work apart from scoring goals is also rightly appreciated.

Let's not prematurely release a young guy who looks like he has the potential to go much further.

Fully agree with this.  We should not have another Kevin Nisbet situation when there is a chance for him to develop and push for place.

[sandy]

6 hours ago, laukat said:

We do have quite a small squad. 21 in total but minus loans only 17 permanent signings. We have to assume we are going to feature in the playoffs so will need a larger squad to get through that. Possibly 21 becomes 23.

Defence is the area that needs the most attention in January. Ideally another centre-back, another fullback would be good as we only really have 5 first team ready championship standard defenders.

I like Scott Martin and whilst he's defensively stronger than Smyth he's not got the same playmaking ability so getting Smyth to the end of the season is a must if we are to sustain a challenge. With Martin fit it probably does mean McCardle is surplus. I also suspect if Crawford was fit that Turner would be well down the pecking order for midfield slots.

Wilson clearly likes pace in his wingers so someone quicker to push Chalmers and Fitzpatrick would be good.

Up front we do need a 3rd striker and I don't think recalling Diack or Horn helps us or them at this stage. We have been lucky with injuries so getting another one in would help.

In terms of departures, I think MacKay needs a new setting to hopefully release a wage for a new winger and McCardle probably returns to Celtic. Apart from that its not impossible that Lawless and Turner head out on loan to teams willing to give them starting positions. I don't see either being at Firhill next season

I agree about the size of the squad. I’d give Turner another chance even although he’s not been at his best since his injury. There’s a player in there. 

[jaggy]

Turner would need to do a hell of a lot to earn another contract. He’s been poor since he returned to us. In his previous spell he passed well and had a great dead ball delivery. I don’t know what’s happened but he’s lost all of that. 
 

I agree there’s a player in there but in this spell he’s hardly shown it. 

[laukat]

I think playing Turner as rightback for almost a full year has ruined him. He used to be a really good ball carrier but he rarely gets on the ball and all too often he wants to get rid as soon as he gets it.

I think letting him go out on loan and getting playing regularly might help him get his confidence back.

I wouldn't let Diack go, I think his best chance of being ready for us is to get a full season at Kelty. The real crunch point for Diack becomes next summer and pre-season. He need to able to at least be the 2nd choice striker at that point if we don't get promoted. If we do get promoted arguably he could go out on loan for another season hopefully at a championship team

[Alb]

51 minutes ago, jaggy said:

Turner would need to do a hell of a lot to earn another contract. He’s been poor since he returned to us. In his previous spell he passed well and had a great dead ball delivery. I don’t know what’s happened but he’s lost all of that. 
 

I agree there’s a player in there but in this spell he’s hardly shown it. 

Most of that is down to him being played either as a full/wing back or defensive midast year, which for me is not where he excels. He's much better as an attacking mid, I'd have him back next season no matter what league we're in

[partickthedog]

2 hours ago, Alb said:

Most of that is down to him being played either as a full/wing back or defensive midast year, which for me is not where he excels. He's much better as an attacking mid, I'd have him back next season no matter what league we're in

However, both Lets’osa and Stanway have been performing more effectively and consistently than Turner at attacking mid, as well as chipping in with regular goals and assists. Crawford may also be ahead of Turner in the attacking mid stakes, although Crawford is a different sort of player, making it more difficult to do a direct comparison.

[Duke Gekantawa]

Personally, I always thought Turner wasn’t up to much other than for that short period when Doolan first took over when he turned briefly into Messi. Under McCall he never impressed, he didn’t impress at County, looked ok for a bit at Raith and has done little of note since returning. To be honest, i’m not sure playing at RB which has affected him, rather than this is his normal level

[Duke Gekantawa]

I noticed Diack wasn’t in the Kelty squad. I presume that was on our instruction, although whether that’s simply to keep options open or whether his loan spell has been sufficiently impressive to warrant a recall is anyone’s guess. Certainly 4 goals and an assist in 10 appearances isn’t too shabby, particularly considering how much the team is struggling (and only one division below).

[Norgethistle]

On 11/26/2025 at 10:56 AM, laukat said:

We do have quite a small squad. 21 in total but minus loans only 17 permanent signings. We have to assume we are going to feature in the playoffs so will need a larger squad to get through that. Possibly 21 becomes 23.

Defence is the area that needs the most attention in January. Ideally another centre-back, another fullback would be good as we only really have 5 first team ready championship standard defenders.

I like Scott Martin and whilst he's defensively stronger than Smyth he's not got the same playmaking ability so getting Smyth to the end of the season is a must if we are to sustain a challenge. With Martin fit it probably does mean McCardle is surplus. I also suspect if Crawford was fit that Turner would be well down the pecking order for midfield slots.

Wilson clearly likes pace in his wingers so someone quicker to push Chalmers and Fitzpatrick would be good.

Up front we do need a 3rd striker and I don't think recalling Diack or Horn helps us or them at this stage. We have been lucky with injuries so getting another one in would help.

In terms of departures, I think MacKay needs a new setting to hopefully release a wage for a new winger and McCardle probably returns to Celtic. Apart from that its not impossible that Lawless and Turner head out on loan to teams willing to give them starting positions. I don't see either being at Firhill next season

So a centre half, a wing back, and a striker plus hold onto Smythe.

Id be surprised if we have budget for 3 more wages

[eljaggo]

10 hours ago, Norgethistle said:

So a centre half, a wing back, and a striker plus hold onto Smythe.

Id be surprised if we have budget for 3 more wages

It depends to some extent on the SC draw and the timing of the next round.  The numbers of players needed has, I think, been reduced by the excellent team management and the effective use of subs by Mark Wilson.  For me the biggest change this season is our ability to have greater control later in games - we used to specialise in the late surrendering of leads on a regular basis (we can all think of one in particular).   We have found treasure in Mark Wilson and we should do our utmost to hang onto him - perhaps even at the cost of employing fewer players.

[King Kenny]

Holding on to Smyth for the season would be the best January move, however, with St Mirren on a really poor run of form I hope Robinson doesn't feel the need to take Smyth back. 

We've been relatively fortunate on the injury front, our main injuries have been in midfield where we are well covered. If we were to lose Chalmers, Watt or Fitzpatrick for a duration of time then it would blunt our attacking force somewhat. 

It'll be interesting to see if we're still top come January how we strengthen. Given the sticky patch St Johnstone are currently having, I can see them chucking some more money at the squad. 

[JAG1970]

5 hours ago, King Kenny said:

Holding on to Smyth for the season would be the best January move, however, with St Mirren on a really poor run of form I hope Robinson doesn't feel the need to take Smyth back. 

We've been relatively fortunate on the injury front, our main injuries have been in midfield where we are well covered. If we were to lose Chalmers, Watt or Fitzpatrick for a duration of time then it would blunt our attacking force somewhat. 

It'll be interesting to see if we're still top come January how we strengthen. Given the sticky patch St Johnstone are currently having, I can see them chucking some more money at the squad. 

Think Robinson at St Mirren is primarily concerned about his attackers failing to convert chances (same again yesterday) as opposed to creating them. So hopefully that means he doesn’t see recalling Smyth as part of the solution. 
 

If we assume we’ll be in the playoffs at the end of a long season, then we need to strengthen in January as the likes of Watt and Samuel would likely be running on fumes by that time. And as you say injuries may impact us. 

It will be interesting to see how St J react to their recent defeats. We’ve seen teams crack under pressure after having the weight of expectation of winning the league. But it also depends on whether we are able to sustain our form, certainly boosting the squad in January would be key to racing them to the finishing line. So either way we need to strengthen. 

[Fawlty Towers]

I think that it will be a bit of a balancing act in January as the club will want to support the management team whilst remembering that we need to keep the finances in order. Getting to the quarter final of the League Cup helped and hopefully we can get another couple of games out of the Scottish Cup but we can't "push the boat out" like last season and run up a big loss.

[ChiThistle]

7 hours ago, King Kenny said:

Holding on to Smyth for the season would be the best January move, however, with St Mirren on a really poor run of form I hope Robinson doesn't feel the need to take Smyth back.  

Maybe they’ll buy into the “Smyth is getting valuable Championship experience that will help you when you’re playing here next season” argument?

[jagfox]

Lewis Reid, centre back and Stranraer captain has been in training accirding to Open Goal

👀

[Dick Dastardly]

21 and can play left or right of  central defence. Could be interesting if true