Never Turned Up!

[jagscast]

anyhow hope the team refuels and the promotion bus gets back on track on wednesday because THAT IS WHAT COUNTS.

 

beep beep!

 

The promotion bus wasn't "off track". Today was a Cup game so doesnt count to promotion!

[peagreenboy]

The club will probably get fined, but the fans didn't attack a player(apart from one mutant who tried to) and they retreated themselves(for fear of being chucked out for pens)!

 

Let them enjoy their moment.

 

As far as I understand, OneThistle worked hard with the police to arrange a more tolerant atmosphere in the North Stand - How does a pitch invasion during a televised national cup final help keep the authorities convinced that we have fans that can be trusted?

 

But it was okay because only one person tried to attack a player? That doesn't make any sense.

 

I don't want to agree with Greenock wallopers, but we had a guy sent off for a head-butt (never mind the provocation), adding to a truly awful season-long disciplinary record, and we had fans invade the pitch live on telly - but apparently that's okay so long as no-one got stabbed? No.

 

Not too much dignity shown all round.

[johnnylambieslovechild]

Thistle fans jumping on the pitch stopped us from having any chance of the pens being taken in front of us and made it advantage QOS.

[Jaggernaut]

Typical Jags: huge crowd, and they put on by far their worst display of the season. Queens looked like the higher-placed and more professional outfit by far. Only Fox and Balatoni come anywhere near getting pass marks.

 

O'Donnell: absolutely honking game. He is definitely suffering under what he's being told to do by Archie; he's currently not half the player he can be, and should probably even be dropped in his current form. Is he being told to punt it aimlessly every time he gets the ball?

 

Sinclair: Another one who is being told to play to only half of his strengths. He's fantastic when on a run, but he's now being told to start from a standing position on the half-way line. Gone is any overlap, which is one of his strengths.

 

Balatoni and Muirhead: As good as usual in central defence; one lapse for the goal.

 

Welsh, Bannigan, Craigen: Out-muscled, all of them.

 

Lawless: Out-muscled.

 

Craig: Out-muscled. Didn't win a single header.

 

Erskine: Should have been subbed after 20 min, and I love him. His worst game ever for us. Absolutely nothing went right.

 

Again, all credit to Queens. They were right in on top of us from the start, and it's clear that we don't handle that approach well at all. Raith did it last week, and Morton did it (and will no doubt do it again on Wednesday).

 

Their giant No. 4 and 5 controlled absolutely every high ball that we brainlessly put in. And their wee No. 7 was brilliant. Tore us to shreds.

 

It would have been an injustice if we'd snatched a victory out of that.

[Jaggernaut]

Just watched the extra time bit and Bannigan signalled to Archie that he wanted off. Hope that doesnt mean he is out on Wednesday. Forbes was brilliant when he came on. He created more in the short period he was on than the whole team put together in 120 minutes. The reaction of Higgins and the other Queens player to Muirhead after the penalty was disgraceful. Not condoning Aarons reaction but I reckon 99% of us would have done the same given the circumstances. I was behind that goal and I saw it but the TV evidence is damning. The two Queens player blatently provoked him by going head to head with him and smiling in his face while he was doing nothing. In this instance I am willing to forgive him....the guy is only human!

 

Yea, the Queen was screaming right into his face: 100% provocation. I would have reacted exactly as Muirhead did, and I suspect that 99% of people would.

[Jaggernaut]

Just watching it back and we are not as bad as I thought. In terms that queens weren't as good as I thought.

 

Still a terrible performance. And really failed to create anything which is what was so disappointing. Failed to make anything of our greater possession.

 

I also watched the entire game last night, and I agree that we didn't actually look quite as bad on tv as we did during the actual match. Still some terrible failures to control the ball and make basic passes. Also lack of movement up front. Erskine at times looked like he'd never seen a football or played in a match.

[King Kenny]

Queens got their tactics spot on. Doubled up on our full backs every time which renders our game plan useless. I thought Welsh was ok but the other 2 midfielders were non existent.

 

Steven Craig's movement off the ball is non existent. Not once did he offer an out ball to the midfield or full backs which in turn resulted in the aimless punts. It's no coincidence that our best period happened when Doolan came on. He actually works the centre halves by constantly being on the move.

[Harrybriscoe]

Re the Spurs fans at the game.

 

A bunch of guys with London accents (possibly Spurs supporters?) were in the area I was standing in the first half

and showed more interest in their phones than the game.

 

At the end of the game I have to leave sharp to pick up my wife and passed the same bunch of guys

coming back from the shopping centre, so they couldn't possibly have been watching the game at the stadium -

maybe in the boozer.

 

I hated seeing that particular flag flying alongside our colours and was delighted to see it being torn down.

Reasons?. Well maybe it's just me, but in my mind it's associated with BNP, knuckle dragging Rangers fans, and in the old days

the hooligan element of the England support.

 

I'm more than happy to see other club supporters come along as guests with their flags in club colours

but I just don't see the St George's flag as a Spurs flag.

Would rather they just went elsewhere.

[Lionel J. Botch]

That was hard to take given the nature of how we played. Don’t know why, nerves, poor tactics or one eye on Wednesday? Whatever it was Queens never had the same issue. Too many bodies not at the races.

Midfield was lightweight, no creative aspect to the play and our back to front game (not wanting to say long ball) was a complete failure. This tactic to a lone striker up against centre backs about a foot taller is insanity. Even more so as there was never any supporting player to collect the second ball. Were we first to a second ball all day? If we are going to play this game then we need to play Mark McGuigan, tall and can bring the ball down, hold it up and bring others into play.

 

I don’t think there is any doubt that Archie has had a word with the full backs about bombing forward. It has gained us many away points in the league so it’s difficult to criticise. But it does mean our lone striker gets little in the way of crosses from the by-line to attack.

 

We missed Paul Paton and indeed a leader on the park. Not sure Steven Craig is a leader on the park.

 

Onwards and upwards and a win on Wednesday will certainly make everyone connected with Firhill much happier.

 

On the celebrations – not going to condone or condemn as many have done. But I don’t think it is a result of poor stewarding as has been mentioned. How stewards spaced out as they are at every game are supposed to stop this is beyond me.

Some have questioned whether the authorities will get involved, I hope not for all concerned.

[ThickAsThieves]

Some have questioned whether the authorities will get involved, I hope not for all concerned.

 

Let's hope not. Authorities getting involved in the pitch invasion, Muirhead's headbutt and our disciplinary record this season in general could be damaging.

 

We'll definitely land a small fine for the cards we've been shown this season. £3k the right figure?

[twinny]

Yes 100% correct! There has probably never been an instance of a keeper being sent off during a penalty shoot out and spineless Mr Crawford Allan was never going to be the first ref to do it, How many times during the penalty kicks did he warn the wee ginger shit but he just kept on using the same delaying tactics every time. Let's put it this way, had he not already been booked it would have been a absolute stick on he would have got a yellow card for his antics!

 

This, the keeper's tactics deserved a second booking. But either way, I'm not a fan of making excuses. We didn't really deserve anything from it and fair play to Queens, they made us look quite poor.

[jaggybunnet]

Re the Spurs fans at the game.

 

A bunch of guys with London accents (possibly Spurs supporters?) were in the area I was standing in the first half

and showed more interest in their phones than the game.

 

At the end of the game I have to leave sharp to pick up my wife and passed the same bunch of guys

coming back from the shopping centre, so they couldn't possibly have been watching the game at the stadium -

maybe in the boozer.

 

I hated seeing that particular flag flying alongside our colours and was delighted to see it being torn down.

Reasons?. Well maybe it's just me, but in my mind it's associated with BNP, knuckle dragging Rangers fans, and in the old days

the hooligan element of the England support.

 

I'm more than happy to see other club supporters come along as guests with their flags in club colours

but I just don't see the St George's flag as a Spurs flag.

Would rather they just went elsewhere.

 

what utter rubbish, the next time someone wrecks something of yours just because they don't like it that's fine is it.

 

grow up, that flag would have prob cost a fair bit, ask the nomads how much there's is costing

[BowenBoys]

Re the Spurs fans at the game.

 

A bunch of guys with London accents (possibly Spurs supporters?) were in the area I was standing in the first half

and showed more interest in their phones than the game.

 

At the end of the game I have to leave sharp to pick up my wife and passed the same bunch of guys

coming back from the shopping centre, so they couldn't possibly have been watching the game at the stadium -

maybe in the boozer.

 

I hated seeing that particular flag flying alongside our colours and was delighted to see it being torn down.

Reasons?. Well maybe it's just me, but in my mind it's associated with BNP, knuckle dragging Rangers fans, and in the old days

the hooligan element of the England support.

 

I'm more than happy to see other club supporters come along as guests with their flags in club colours

but I just don't see the St George's flag as a Spurs flag.

Would rather they just went elsewhere.

 

Half a dozen London casuals pushed past me in the, so called, catering queue. They left through a fire exit followed by a couple of cops.

 

No idea what they were doing at the game. We really don't need them.

[Pie Of The Month]

what utter rubbish, the next time someone wrecks something of yours just because they don't like it that's fine is it.

 

grow up, that flag would have prob cost a fair bit, ask the nomads how much there's is costing

 

Fully agree with this.

 

It's strange how there was no problem with the Welsh flags the other week.

[ThickAsThieves]

As long as they don't cause bother, most folk are fine with me. Although I am finding myself sitting next to ********* more regularly on away days now...maybe that's part and parcel of being successful.

[Meister Jag]

Re the Spurs fans at the game

 

I hated seeing that particular flag flying alongside our colours and was delighted to see it being torn down.

Reasons?. Well maybe it's just me, but in my mind it's associated with BNP, knuckle dragging Rangers fans, and in the old days

the hooligan element of the England support.

 

 

Whatever pleases you mate. Fact is they came up to support Thistle and that happens to be their flag. I'm not a fan of the so-called casuals but did speak to one or two in a boozer after the game and they seemed fine. To be honest, I've a spot spot for Spurs and try to get down once or twice a season - similar soft spot for Ajax. Of Engerlish teams, Spurs in particular have nothing in common with the far-right elements in English football. In fact they are hated by most clubs. You'll maybe remember west Ham fans and their hissing noises to denote the gas chambers at Auschwitz etc.

 

To be honest, I find your comments quite xenophobic and not really what i'd expect from a Jags fan. next time you're at a game listen for a few moments and I'm sure you'll hear many English accents. After recent events, to be hopefully joined by a few welsh fans who seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. But not for you, you'll be asking for proof of place of birth and Scotashness!!

 

Closing point is that the casuals get singled out for things they don't really do i.e. was there any trouble yesterday? I understand a few Aberdeen fans came down to support us - gather it's the Thistle in the middle thing; but no mention of them. And what of the sizable Mod contingent who lead the singing? Do you not like them either? Not enough tartan army outfits? I despair!

[potty trained]

What a let down.

 

From starting the day buzzing with us running our first bus from the Star.

 

A quick note re rubbish corners/throw ins. I don't think the ramsdens adverts left enough space for any more than a yard and a half run up.

 

Conrad was the best thistle player for me yesterday, with every game I admire him more,

 

O'donnell hasn't played a great game since his injury. Yesterday was spent punting long balls to Craig.

 

Muirhead started really nervy slicing two clearances into th main stand within seconds of each other. Again, punts to Craig were the order of the day.

 

Sinclair used his one trick early in the first half. After tat he spent the game running down dead ends or slicing the ball out the park.

 

Banzo tried hs hardest but the guy is quite clearly fcked! Think he said on twitter he picked up 3 injuries yesterday including a dead leg. Fatigue wasn't listed but the guy must be shattered.

 

Craigan tried to play football in the first half looking for the full backs wide... They weren't there.

 

Welsh, he was fcked after half an hour. 4 times in the second half he gave away the ball whilst in possession as his legs couldn't do what his head was telling it to. Shite free kick.

 

Erskine started well, chasing everything and putting in a good few tackles but the ball wouldn't fall for him. He moved out right when. Elliott came on and he disappeared.

 

Lawless looked really tricky in the first half but couldn't get the ball out from under his feet.

 

Craig, what a thankless task... Ok today we're going to punt long balls at you, if you win the header there won't be anyone to pick it up... If you loose the header, we won't chase the second ball. So enjoy your final.

 

Elliott came on and skied a shot over the bar and screwed a shot wide. Also played a great ball into doolan on a counter attack but for some reason doolan had checked his run. Was he. Better option than lawless?

 

Doolan. Did well, ran the centre halfs about, got a goal. But received pretty much the same service as Craig. Also his shot the keeper saved, I thought the keeper was doing one for the cameras.

 

Forbes, did well, few nice runs, one shite free kick, one powderpuff at the bottom corner, great cross for the goal.. Whilst I think he should start on Wednesday I wouldn't say it was because of his performance, more so his fitness. Lets not get carried away, he came on in the 95 minute.

 

 

What's frustrating me most is our tactics for yesterday, no disrespect to Archie but I don think we have a reputation for winning games of hoof ball, in future I'd also suggest changing tactics if they aren't working. But overall we missed Paton and/or Murray to take the ball off the defence, keep the ball in our possession and always be available for a pass.

 

 

 

[peagreenboy]

what utter rubbish, the next time someone wrecks something of yours just because they don't like it that's fine is it.

It's strange how there was no problem with the Welsh flags the other week.

 

Was the flag set on fire? Was it torn into pieces? No, it was pulled down - so to say it was 'wrecked' is distorting the truth more than somewhat ...

 

There were Welsh flags and fans at Firhill the other week because Wales had just played Scotland at Hampden. So that's pretty simple and makes sense.

 

I wasn't aware Thistle had an English Spurs-supporting contingent - and from other posts it seems these guys were a bunch of casuals who left escorted by the police. Maybe it's a good thing they were gone before the pitch invasion or they might have rushed on, given out a bit of violence, and wouldn't we have looked good then - BUT IT'S ALL RIGHT 'CAUSE IT SHOWS PASSION, APPARENTLY

 

Unfortunately, being a Glasgow club, both English and Irish flags have very negative connotations at football matches - and I don't want my club associated with any of that. And that's the first thing I thought when I saw that flag - "what the f**k is an England flag doing here?"

 

Another sour note on a sour day.

[peagreenboy]

To be honest, I find your comments quite xenophobic and not really what i'd expect from a Jags fan.

 

Hard to see any xenophobia in the comment you replied to, and you missed the actual point by a country mile to go on babbling about tartan and Scottish passports.

 

It wasn't the English flag it was the connotations that go along with it - being Glaswegian and living with the history of Rangers and Celtic. You want want someone to blame for the negativity a lot of people felt - blame the Old Firm.

Edited April 8, 2013 by peagreenboy

[Harrybriscoe]

Fully agree with this.

 

It's strange how there was no problem with the Welsh flags the other week.

 

I thought I made it clear in my posting why I didn't think this particular flag was appropriate at a Thistle game.

 

The Welsh guys and their flags were made welcome as they were in town on rugby business and went out of their

to come and visit us at Firhill. It made sense they were there.

 

I also didn't like the manner in which they pushed their way into an already congested area near where I was standing

forcing other fans to move.

 

From what BowdenBoys said above it sounds like they got bored and left, watched closely by the polis.

[John Blutarsky]

What's frustrating me most is our tactics for yesterday, no disrespect to Archie but I don think we have a reputation for winning games of hoof ball, in future I'd also suggest changing tactics if they aren't working. But overall we missed Paton and/or Murray to take the ball off the defence, keep the ball in our possession and always be available for a pass.

 

We are a very young side who have been coached in short passing & retaining possession so asking them to go long as a whole game plan was never going to work. Watching twenty guys running after a ball, which was what most of the game comprised yesterday, was not what I expected since I understood QoS were not a hoofball side. I haven't seen the lofting of ball from KO followed by a charge after it since Dickie Bunnet and Lambie and hoped I'd seen the last of it.

 

Onto Wednesday, by which time my hangover might just about have cleared.

[uberteeb]

Yesterday was all about the day out and I really enjoyed it. Walking down to the ground it felt like a cup final, a truly unique experience, thousands of Jags at a neutral venue, singing waiting to get in.

 

The North Stand was rocking, I was at the back of section G and everyone was standing singing from the back right down to the front, was the same in the blocks on either side, atmosphere was tremendous, the equalising goal was one of the highlights of all my years watching Thistle, everyone went absolutely mental. Those moaning about the pitch invasion can naff off, it was totally meritted and all in good spirits, fair enough the guy who ran towards the keeper momentarily lost the plot but he never got close to him and clearly realised he needed to do an about turn and did.

 

I didn't see Muirheads sending off at the time, I was bent double with my head in my hands after the penalty miss but having watched the game when I got in last nght fair play to him, the wee Queens ***** deserved it. The ref was made to look a mug by the Queens keeper during the shoot out but his tactics clearly worked a bit, can you even send a keeper off during a shoot out, I can't remember it ever happening in any game I've seen.

 

We were piss poor at the footballing side of things, we missed Paton and nobody stepped in to do what he does every week. I can only assume the Queens gaffer was at Starks Park on Tuesday, Queens stopped us playing the same way Raith did then, don't give the full backs a second on the ball and close them high up the pitch, from there our passing and moving down the flanks falls apart.

 

Feel rough today.

[marco77]

When Forbes isnt playing there is not another player capable of delivering a decent corner or free-kick.

 

When a team sits in against us we really struggle to break them down and without a proper target man the qots centrebacks dealt with every high ball as Craig never jumps, he just backs in.

 

It was frustrating to watch but thats Thistle.

 

the 4-3-3 has worked well this season and i dont think changin it now will help but i would prefer playing 2 up front and 4 in midfield against morton.

[Mr Bunny]

Queens got their tactics spot on. Doubled up on our full backs every time which renders our game plan useless. I thought Welsh was ok but the other 2 midfielders were non existent.

 

 

A few teams have done this to us this season (or at least this half of the season). Why are the players not ready for this with a plan B. If you double up on some players there must be space left for others in other parts of the pitch...we really should work on this because Morton will no doubt be doing it.

[1 John Lambie]

A few teams have done this to us this season (or at least this half of the season). Why are the players not ready for this with a plan B. If you double up on some players there must be space left for others in other parts of the pitch...we really should work on this because Morton will no doubt be doing it.

 

Exactly, this should in theory almost work in our favour. Leaving more space for Erskine in the centre & Lawless on the opposite wing to get the ball & run with it.

If we see it isn't working & we can't get anywhere using the extra space we might as well bring McGuigan on & actually have someone upfront (in place of Craig, or alongside Doolan) who might be able to win a header. McGuigan & Doolan up front could actually work very well.