SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 22 October, 2016. Kick Off: - 15:00
Firhill Stadium, Glasgow
After last week’s draw with Hamilton, Partick Thistle were lifted off the bottom of the table and, with another huge game this weekend against Ross County, the Jags will be looking to climb further up the table with a win. Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Staggies.
There has been speculation over the past few days regarding the future of the Thistle boss but he wanted to clear the waters quickly as to where he stands.
“I’m flattered by any interest in me but that’s all it is, from my perspective. I haven’t spoken with any club and I’m focusing on the weekend’s game. At the end of the day, concentration is key. We’re second bottom of the league right now and that’s our main priority.”
Archibald made it quite clear that his future still lies at Firhill.
“I’ve spent half of my life with this club and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here on Saturday and hopefully I’ll be here come the end of the season. I’m happy and content here. I have a good relationship with the board and Ian Maxwell. I don’t have anything to complain about.”
The Jags boss had his mind firmly set on claiming three points on Saturday and ending his team’s winless run.
“We want to kick on but you can see how hard the league is going to be this season. We can go ahead of Ross County this weekend if we win. We’re just three points off sixth place as well and that shows how tight the league is at the moment. All the managers are saying the same thing, if we were a couple of points better off we would be a couple of places further up the table.”
The manager emphasised the importance of winning games against teams around Thistle in the Ladbrokes premiership table.
“It’s the same incentive in these sorts of games, the chance to go above our rivals who are near us in the standings. It’s what you might call a six-pointer and the onus is on us as the home side. We analysed last week’s game on Monday and we’ve worked on aspects of our game with improvement in mind. We’re nine games in and we’ve only won one game so we have to fix that, we need to find that balance between defence and attack. Hopefully we’ll have that balance by Saturday.”
Although the long term injuries remain the same – Dumbuya, Bannigan and Cerny – Archibald does have a couple of new fitness concerns to deal with.
“As has been reported in the press this week, Steven Lawless is in seeing a specialist today so we should know more about his situation shortly. With Steven, if he needs to go in for the operation, then he’ll be four to six weeks but if he doesn’t need that then he’ll be available for Saturday. The other fresh doubt we have is Chris Erskine who has picked up a wee niggle during the week. We’ll keep a close eye on both of them and hopefully the news will be good.”
Tickets are still available for Saturday’s clash and can be bought through ptfctickets, over the phone (0141 579 1971, option 2) or in person at Firhill on Saturday and will be priced as below:
Adults £22
Concessions (Over 65s, students, disabled supporter including carer) £15
Under 16s FREE
Disabled supporters qualify for a concession which includes entry to the game for a nominated carer.
There will be full build up, reaction, highlights and full game replays available to Jagzone subscribers before and after Saturday’s game. For those living outside the UK and Ireland you can also watch the match live, either by signing up to Jagzone World or by buying the match on pay per view basis.
To sign up to either Jagzone (£5.99) or Jagzone World (£12.99) or to buy the match pay per view, (£3.95) click here.
Despite a selection of strong on-pitch showings, Partick Thistle have failed to pick up a victory in any competition since the opening day of the Ladbrokes premiership season at the start of August. There has been a feeling that many of the performances have been deserving of a better result than they have received. Performances don’t win points, though, and all the Jags players and management would be hoping to lift the burden of such a long winless in today’s clash against Ross County at Firhill.
There were three changes to the Thistle side that drew with Hamilton last weekend. Chris Erskine and Steven Lawless picked up injuries and therefore couldn’t play and Ziggy Gordon dropped to the bench. Ade Azeez, Christie Elliott and Sean Welsh came into the side. The side took an unfamiliar shape with Alan Archibald electing to set-up with a three-at-the-back formation. Adam Barton sat in as a centre-half alongside Danny Devine and Liam Lindsay. Christie Elliott came in as right wing-back and the midfield was a flat three of Abdul Osman, Sean Welsh and Ryan Edwards. It was two up-top with Ade Azeez and Kris Doolan both playing.
It would be the Jags who kicked-off and there was no messing about as in the opening minute, Liam Lindsay made his way forward and picked up the ball before launching a shot towards goal from 35 yards. Unfortunately, it sailed high into the North Stand.
The next big chance of the half came in the 16th minute when a Ross County man got the better of Adam Barton wide on the County left. The ball was then slid into the box where an attacker’s shot had to be blocked by a sliding Danny Devine, who excellently recovered and stopped the attempt reaching Ryan Scully’s goal.
Two minutes after the Staggies’ chance Thistle almost took the lead through Callum Booth. Christie Elliott was played into space on the right flank and was able to whip in a cross. The ball reached the back post where Booth was running in. However, a visiting defender got to it first and headed behind.
The deadlock would be broken in the 23rd minute and it came after the referee’s biggest decision of the match so far. A corner kick that was swung into the County area landed near Kris Doolan who touched it past a defender. The Ross County man clattered into Doolan, sending him down and Don Robertson pointed to the spot. It would be Sean Welsh to step up, having scored two penalties out of two already this season, and his good record from the spot continued as he calmly tucked the ball home past Scott Fox, making it 1-0.
The visiting side struggled to create chances as Thistle were able to control much of the first half but The Jags were reduced to mostly long shots despite having plenty of possession. Adam Barton and Ryan Edwards both saw their long range attempts miss the target as the game approached half-time.
The teams would go into the interval with the score 1-0. The lead was a deserved one as Thistle were on top for large parts of the opening 45 minutes. Christie Elliott was being given too much space when he came forward from his wing-back position. Adam Barton’s first Partick Thistle match in defence was going well; his ability to pass out from the back and his composure on the ball helped calm the play down whenever Thistle were getting slightly flustered.
As the second half began, just five minutes in, the referee was forced into another big decision. Craig Curran clattered into Sean Welsh with a heavy challenge and it didn’t look like the best of tackles. There were chants of ‘Off!’ ringing around Firhill but Don Robertson brandished just a yellow card for Curran.
Ross County’s number 11 was at the centre of attention yet again in the 56th minute when he almost drew his side level. The ball fell to him around 15 yards from goal and he was able to set himself to shoot without much pressure. His shot would come off Ryan Scully’s left-hand post and when the ball was crossed back in Ryan Dow’s headed attempt was easily caught by the Jags’ goalkeeper.
The big turning point of the game took place in the 68th minute when Liam Lindsay was forced off the pitch with an injury. A high ball flew into the home team’s box and three players attacked it. Andrew Davies of Ross County, Ryan Scully and Liam Lindsay all rose to meet the cross and unfortunately Scully clattered into his own defender sending Lindsay down. The ‘keeper got up after some treatment but the big centre-half stayed on the ground. A flock of medical staff tried to help him but in the end the stretcher was needed and Ziggy Gordon came on to replace him. Gordon would slot into the same position that Lindsay was playing, on the left side of the three centre-backs. Shortly after that incident Alan Archibald made a second change. Kris Doolan was replaced by David Amoo as the manager looked to breath some life into his side’s attack.
Thistle still led the match as the game approached the 90th minute but, to the dismay of the Firhill crowd, a minimum of nine minutes was added on due to the lengthy stoppage when Liam Lindsay needed treatment.
Four minutes into the nine, the worst case scenario took place. After Adam Barton headed a long ball clear, Sean Welsh lost the aerial battle with a County man and it dropped to Christopher Burke who cleverly went past Callum Booth. Burke carried the ball forward and the defenders just kept backing off which gave the number 22 a chance to pick his spot and still under no real pressure, he fired a shot across Ryan Scully and into the far corner getting the visitors back on level terms.
The highland side very nearly took all three points back to Dingwall thanks to a late Ryan Dow chance. The Staggies had the ball on their left flank and managed to get into a good crossing position. The ball was played low into the danger area where Ryan Dow was waiting and about ten yards from goal he looked certain to score but his attempt was tremendously stopped by the legs of Ryan Scully.
As the full-time whistle blew it was an all too familiar feeling for everyone at Firhill as the Jags let a lead slip for the third home game in a row. There is no time to dwell on it, however, as Thistle are in midweek action this week against Dundee at Dens Park on Wednesday night with kick-off at 7:45.
Partick Thistle’s long run of games without a win continued today as the Firhill side conceded another late equaliser to let a lead slip late on for the third home match in a row. Despite the disappointing result, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the match to offer his thoughts on the day’s game.
First of all, he gave an update on the condition of Liam Lindsay who was stretchered off during the game.
“He had pain in his neck and nowadays we take every precaution. He’s going to the hospital and that’s all we know at this point. I don’t think he was unconscious at any point, it was just a case of our ‘keeper going one way while he was going the other way and they’ve clattered into each other. Fingers crossed that he’s okay.”
Archie believed that Lindsay’s withdrawal from the match was the game changing incident.
“It was in his area of the pitch where we lost the goal, so I think it did affect the game. Taking nothing away from Ziggy Gordon who came on but I think our back three had developed an understanding and if there hadn’t been that disruption we might not have conceded.”
The Jags boss discussed the unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation that he used on the day.
“We changed the shape and it suited us, I thought we played very well. Some of Adam Barton’s play was great and defensively we were comfortable but you can’t dominate for 90 minutes and we didn’t stand up to them when they were in control.”
Archibald was very complimentary of Adam Barton who played his first game in defence since joining Thistle today and looked very strong in that position despite previously playing in the midfield.
“We signed him as both a midfielder and a centre-half. We know that he can do both, he’s comfortable on the ball and he can defend. He’s also a big lad who can dominate aerially. It’s essential that you have players who can adapt, especially when you have a number of injury problems like we do, at the moment.”
Although the end result wasn’t the desired one, the Thistle manager was keen to look at the things the team did well today.
“I think that there were plenty of positives. We only worked on that formation twice this week because of the injuries we’ve had and the question marks regarding who’s going to be fit. Our overall play was good and the defensive unit was strong. We had a number of key players missing and we handled that very well today.”
Sat 22 October, 2016
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Firhill Stadium, Glasgow
There was more late, late heartbreak for Thistle as they were denied what would have been a richly deserved win when sub Burke fired low past Ryan Scully in the 4 of 9 minutes of injury time.
Thistle had, till that point, looked secure but were again left to rue the failure to add to Sean Welsh's penalty midway through the first half.
Scully makes a great stop to deny what looked a certain goal for Woods.
Edwards's cross is too high for Azeez.
More late, late heart break for Thistle as Burke fires a low drive into the net.
Booth takes the free kick and tries to find the top corner but the ball doesn't curl enough and goes out for a goal kick.
Thistle are immediately on the counter attack and their route to goal is halted by a foul 10 yards outside the box.
Burke goes down in the box and County are furious when a penalty isn't given.
Minimum of 9 minutes additional time to be played.
Today's Man of the Match is Abdul Osman.
Thistle waste a promising opening as Booth and welsh leave the ball to each other allowing County to clear.
Burke turns away from Booth and cuts inside before seeing his shot drift wide of goal.
The ball hits Osman at close range in the head and that knocks him over but after a second or two he's back to his feet.
Edwards wins the ball in midfield before passing to Welsh whose shot from 30 yards out doesn't clear the bar by much.
After a 8 minute delay we are back underway.
Play not yet resummed.
Sad sight of the stretcher coming on.
Scully is back on his feet but Lindsay continues to receive a spot of treatment.
Breakin play as both Scully and Lindsay require treatment after County thump a free kick deep into the Thistle box.
Edwards is adjudged to haver tugged Burke as he tried to break clear.
Fox gets enough of a hand to take Welsh's corner away from goal.
Booth's dangerous looking cross is cleared for a corner.
The corner is aimed deep where it is nodded on by Lindsay to Devine who hooks a shot over the bar.
Osman is fouled and Thistle have a free kicj about 35 yards from goal. It's played to the feet of Azeez who shows his ferustration when he hits the ground.
Thistle are continuing to have a grip on the midfield but no real hint of a second goal yet.
Quinn collects a yellow card for a poor challnge on Sean Welsh who needs a spot of treatment.
Welsh is able to roll a pass to Azeez to his left. Azeez shoots bit there is no power in his shot which allows Fox to make a comfortable stop.
Azeez touches the ball to Doolan. Doolan has the chance to give him the ball back but elects to try and curl the ball home himself but from the corner of the box is unable to hit target.
A penalty converted in the 23rd minute by Sean Welsh after a foul on Kris Doolan is enough to see Thistle go in at half-time with a deserved lead.
Thistle have taken a grip of this game in midfield and controlled much of the first 45 minutes but Thistle don't have too far back to go to recall the last time they led at half-time and the eventual outcome.
Much football is still to be played in this game but it was a very encouraging opening 45 minutes from Thistle.
Welsh takes the free kick but can do no better than strike the foot of the wall.
Thistle have a free kick near the left corner of the County box about 25 yards from goal.
After a Welsh free kick is cleared Barton collects the ball 25 yards from goal. He has is back to goal but turns before sending a shot just a fractionover the bar.
Azeez does well to hold of the attention of a County player and get the ball out wide to Elliott on the right. His cross though is cleared.
Welsh is able to drop his shoulder and evade a challenge but his shot from 30 yards out goes high over the crossbar.
Edwards shoots for goal from about 25 yards out but his shot doesn't start to dip until it has already cleared the crossbar.
Azeez is on to a flick from Doolan and he tries to find some room inside the County box. He does find some space but can't find a way past Fox with his shot.
Welsh makes no mistake from the spot and he tucks the ball away to give Thistle a deserved lead.
Doolan is bundled over as Welsh's corner comes over and Thistle have a penalty.
Woods' corner is nodded on by Davies but the ball goes out of play well away from the Thistle goal.
Welsh takes the corner and it is headed clear. Barton is able to head the ball back into the box but nobody can get a touch to the ball.
Elliott's cross from the right is headed behind for a corner on the other side.
Devine makes an important challenge inside the box to deny Curran a clear llojk at goal.
Welsh curls the free kick in looking for the head of Lindsay. He finds it but the defender is stretching to reach the ball and can only nod the ball over the bar.
Davies blocks Azeez's run and collects the game's first yellow card.
County threaten Thistle for the first time but Lindsay is able to head clear when a cross comes in from the left. Thistle are playing with three, Lindsay, Devine and Barton, in the centre of defence this afternoon.
Elliott drills in a cross from the right that Davies diverts towards his own goal before County clear the ball.
Azeez nearly forces Fox into an error with the ball at his feet but the former Thistle keeper is able to just about side step away from the Thistle striker.
Devine's through ball is too strong for Doolan to collect.
Welsh's corner is headed clear.,
Osman takes the free kick but it strikes the wall.
Elliott is bundled over and thistle have a free kick about 5 yards outside the County box and just right of centre.
Lindsay has the first short of the game but his effort from 20 yards out is well off target.
After a week where there was speculation surrounding an approach for the manager the focus returns to the action on the park with the visit of Ross County to Firhill.
Victory this afternoon would lift Thistle up at two league positions but Alan Archibald,, who has been hampered by a number of injuries already this season, is faced with another two absentees this afternoon with both Chris Ertskine and Stevie Lawless sitting this one out. Ziggy Gordon drops to the bench as the starting eleven shows three changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Hamilton 7 days ago.
Sean Welsh, Christie Elliott and Ade Azeez all start this one.