SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Fri 4 November, 2016. Kick Off: - 19:45
Firhill Stadium, Glasgow
Jags gaffer, Alan Archibald, was away in Switzerland working on his coaching badges this week, so it was assistant manager, Scott Paterson, who spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of Friday night’s clash with Aberdeen.
Back to back wins has filled the team with confidence, something Scott was quick to reflect on.
“Both wins are a credit to the players and we’re obviously delighted with the points. We have undergone a change in formation as well and they’ve adapted to it really well. It has given us something different and we are really pleased with how it has worked. All the boys know their jobs and they trust one another to look after the different areas of the pitch.
“We have looked more dangerous going forward and have done well keeping the ball and taking the game to the opposition. I think we’ve looked really solid and it is amazing what a difference a couple of wins make to the feeling around the place.”
Although jubilant after both of last week’s victories, Scott knows that Friday night’s match will be tough.
“They’ll be disappointed with their last two results, especially the one against Hamilton, but they’ve got a strong squad and they will be looking to bring their A game. We know Derek and Tony Doc well enough to know they’ll be hurting and will be desperate for a result against us. They have an excellent squad with quality all over the pitch and we will have to be at our best tomorrow to take something from the game.
“We know it’s going to be a tough, tough game and the players know what kind of 90 minutes they’re going to be in for, so we just need to make sure that they’re fired up for it.”
By coming on for the injured Ryan Scully, Thorsten Stuckmann, became the fourth goalkeeper to appear for Thistle this season, something Scott is well aware of.
“I’ve just about lost track of the number of goalies we’ve played this season! It’s certainly fair to say we’ve had no luck on that front. It’s good that we decided to bring in Stuckmann as he brings a wealth of experience with him.
“We all felt for Ryan when he picked up his shoulder injury in the game against Dundee, it was made all the more unfortunate given how well he had been playing. To be fair to big Stuckmann though, he came in and took his chance really well. What he had to deal with at St Johnstone, he dealt with and he certainly inspires confidence in the defenders.”
Despite there being a number of long term injuries currently affecting the Thistle squad Scott was happy to report that there were no fresh injuries reported this week.
“The only concerns that remain are Bannigan, Dumbuya, Gary Fraser and obviously, Scully. Apart from that we should have a full squad to pick from which is the ideal situation to be in.”
After just one victory in their opening nine games, Partick Thistle had picked up two wins in as many games against Dundee and St. Johnstone. Those wins both came away from home and Thistle returned to Firhill for a Friday night clash with fourth place Aberdeen. The visitors came into the game having lost their previous two matches without scoring a goal.
Alan Archibald selected the same starting line-up that won 2-1 at McDiarmid Park last weekend, sticking with the three centre-half formation that had brought the Jags their two consecutive wins. Thorsten Stuckmann retained his place in the team with Cerny and Scully both still nursing injuries. David Amoo and Chris Erskine remained on the bench offering an impact later in the game.
As tonight’s encounter was the last at Firhill prior to Rememberance Day there was a minute of silence before the game. Both sets of fans observed the silence excellently.
The match itself started very slowly with Aberdeen dominating possession without creating many clear-cut chances as the Thistle defence showed the same strength that it had showed in the last two games.
It took 23 minutes for an opportunity to present itself as Jayden Stockley received the ball on the edge of the box before getting a shot away with his right-foot. The shot was fairly tame and Thorsten Stuckmann was able to save it easily.
Just one minute later the home side mustered up an excellent chance when Christie Elliott whipped a long ball around the Dons’ defence finding Ade Azeez who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Joe Lewis of Aberdeen couldn’t decide whether to come for the ball or stay on his line and this indecision meant Azeez tried a lofted shot over the ‘stopper but Lewis stood tall and saved easily.
Ade Azeez would have another chance in the 31st minute when a Sean Welsh cross dropped to the Englishman but his acrobatic attempt was well over the bar. The Jags had another chance four minutes later as an in-swinging corner found Danny Devine. The centre-half was on the slide and couldn’t direct his effort on target.
Alan Archibald’s side were beginning to control proceedings as the half progressed but the away side nearly went ahead with eight minutes until the interval. Johnny Hayes was in possession and had the ball 25 yards from goal, he then unleashed a long-range shot towards the far corner. Thorsten Stuckmann was left scrambling backwards as the shot seemed destined to nestle into the top corner but it ended up a couple of feet wide.
Despite the steady improvement in the home team’s game, Aberdeen were able to take the lead in the 39th minute. A free kick from 45 yards out was lofted into the Thistle box where it was headed down. The ball deflected off Adam Rooney and fell to Anthony O’Connor who smashed home the opening goal.
The Firhill men had one chance to equalise before half-time when Liam Lindsay hit a cross in form the left flank which ricocheted into the path of Sean Welsh. The midfielder tried to lift the ball over Joe Lewis but the goalie smothered it.
The score was 1-0 at half-time with neither team really standing out. Aberdeen had plenty of possession without producing too much in the attacking third. The home side had the best chances of the opening 45 with Ade Azeez and Danny Devine missing golden opportunities.
When the teams emerged for the second period it was clear that Alan Archibald wanted his team to improve in the midfield as he reverted to a back four with Adam Barton moving into the midfield to form a diamond with Osman, Welsh and Edwards.
Only three minutes after the restart Kris Doolan had a decent chance to bring his team level. He was fed the ball on the 18-yard line and on the half-volley tried a shot but it was safely stopped by Joe Lewis.
The equaliser would come, however. In the 51st minute Thistle had a corner at the tunnel end of the Colin Weir Stand which Sean Welsh took. It floated towards the back post where Adam Barton was running in. The ex-Portsmouth man headed towards goal under pressure and his header found the back of the net despite Lewis getting a hand to it.
The red and yellow portion of Firhill was sent into delirium but this would be short lived as two minutes after the game drew level, Aberdeen took the lead once again. Jayden Stockley received the ball in a small pocket of space in-between the Thistle lines and immediately looked to shoot. The forward saw Stuckmann off his line and tried an audacious chip. The attempt was perfectly weighted as it flew over the giant German, Stuckmann, and found the back of the net.
After retaking the lead, the visitors were happy enough to sit off their opponents, giving the Jags the challenge of breaking them down. Three changes were made in an attempt to revitalise the Thistle attack. Chris Erskine, David Amoo and Declan McDaid replaced Doolan, Azeez and Edwards who all put a proper shift in as they chased down the ball relentlessly the whole night.
As Alan Archibald’s side searched for an equaliser they almost allowed Aberdeen to extend the lead. Adam Rooney was played through on the right side of the box and he elected to shoot but his attempt was straight at the goalkeeper, Stuckmann.
Thistle’s best chance at a second equaliser fell to Chris Erskine. Declan McDaid got on the end of an Erskine knock-on and expertly flicked the ball back into the number 10’s path. The attacking midfielder tried to set himself for a left-footed shot but his effort was rushed and easy for Joe Lewis to collect.
Unfortunately for the Firhill faithful the game ended 2-1, the same result as when these two sides met at Pittodrie earlier this season. The Jags stay seventh in the Ladbrokes Premiership table with the rest of the league’s teams yet to play this weekend. An unbeaten run of four games comes to an end with tonight’s defeat but there will be plenty of time for Alan Archibald to analyse the game with an international break leaving two weeks until his side’s next match on Saturday 19th of November against Motherwell at Fir Park.
Partick Thistle’s four match unbeaten streak came to an end as the Jags were defeated by Aberdeen in the Firhill side’s first Friday night fixture of the season. Alan Archibald has changed the shape of his team in recent weeks in a decision that has brought about positive results but his team were beaten for the first time since changing formation by a strong Aberdeen outfit. After the match, ptfc.co.uk spoke to Archibald about the evening’s events.
First and foremost, Archie believed that his team possibly deserved more than they got, which is an all too familiar felling for the Jags’ boss this season.
“I think in terms of clear-cut chances we had more than them. So if we look at the chances each team created then I think we probably deserved a point.”
The Thistle manager thought that his team started slowly on the night, which was disappointing.
“We grew into the game. At times, we were struggling to get out of our half but they weren’t really causing us too many problems in front of goal. I don’t think they created any great opportunities in the opening stages. We had some great chances at crucial times but we couldn’t take them.”
Archie was particularly angered by how quickly the Dons were able to retake the lead following Adam Barton’s equaliser.
“I’ve just spoken to the lads about it and I don’t know if they were getting caught up in the occasion after our goal but there are a lot of mistakes involved with Stockley’s goal. Fair play to the boy, it was a sublime finish by Stockley but there was some bad decision making on our part.”
As the Jags took up a three centre-half formation for most of the match, Adam Barton was subject to some more praise as he had another solid outing, topped off by his first Thistle goal.
“He did very well as he has done for since he came into the team but I thought that, collectively, we didn’t pass the ball as well as we have done previously. The big difference in the game was that they were clinical while we weren’t.”
Archibald believes that losing a goal so quickly after the equaliser affected the team spirit of the home side.
“We had changed our shape and I thought we were causing them some more problems. However, to lose a goal as quickly as we did, it killed the enthusiasm that followed the equaliser, a little bit.”
The gaffer knows that there is work to be done during the upcoming international break in preparation for his team’s clash with Motherwell at Fir Park in two weeks.
“You never want to head into an international break with a loss but we have to dust ourselves down. The boys have been great over the past few weeks and we have to make sure we react positively against Motherwell.”
Fri 4 November, 2016
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Firhill Stadium, Glasgow
Thistle put plenty into the game but end up on the losing end of a 2-1 scoreline.
Aberdeen led at the break through O'Connor's goal 8 minutes before the half-time whistle.
Thistle though were level 4 minutes into the second half when Adam Barton powered home a Sean Welsh corner.
Thistle though werre level for just 3 minutes with Jayden Stockley lifted the ball into the back of the net from long range.
Thistle tried and tried to find an equaliser but fell just short.
Thistle will have one last chance to get the ball in the box with a long throw
Minimum of 3 minutes of additional time to be played.
Lewis is sharp off his line to get the ball ahead of Erskine.
Nearly for Thistle. McDaid back heels the ball to Erskine whose shot is saved by Lewis.
McGinn pushes the ball to Rooney to his right but his shot is straight at Stuckmann.
Thistle are huffing and puffing but they are making no inroads into the Aberdeen defence despite all their efforts.
McGinn's lofted shot from the edge of the box misses the target.
Edwards collects a misdirected pass and looks as if he might get a clear run at the Aberdeen goal but the visitors get back quickly and Edwards finds himself crowded out at the edge of the box.
Welsh aims the free kick towards Azeez at the back post. Azeez takes a touch and then goes to ground but any Thistle appeals for a penalty fall on deaf ears.
Thistle free kick near the Aberdeen corner flag.
Welsh makes a mess of the corner kick.
Thistle have a throw down by the Aberdeen corner flag.
Stuckmann gets down to make a save low to his left.
Welsh gets the free kick over the wall, which looks less than 10 yards back, but also well over the crossbar.
Booth is fouled and Thistle have a free kick about 20 yards out, left of centre.
Welsh's corner this time is a poor one and although Azeez makes a run to the near post to meet it he can only flick the ball wide of goal.
Maddison lifts the free kick high over the bar.
Aberdeen have a free kick about 30 yards from the Thistle goal after a foul from Edwards.
Thistle are level for next to no time with Stockley scoring a cracking goal, Lifting the ball over Stuckmann from distance.
Welsh's corner finds Barton at the back post and even though he looks as if he might be being fouled he is still strong enough to power a header into the net.
Logan's header nearly finds his own net but Lewis tips the ball over.
Doolan turns quickly at the edge of the box but he can't find a way past Lewis with his first time shot.
Thistle are under pressure when there is no flag for offside but the ball eventually ends up with Stuckmann.
Thistle get us back under way.
Aberdeen probably deserve their first half lead which arrived 8 minutes before the half-time whistle when O'Connor fired low into the net.
That goal though came after Thistle's best spell in the match with Ade Azeez and Adam Barton both spurning good opportunities to give Thistle the lead.
Prior to that Aberdeen had dominated proceedings, especially in the middle of the park, but without really testing Stuckmann in the Thistle goal.
Although Aberdeen lead at the break there was enough in the first 45 minutes to suggest that this is a game that Thistle are still very much in.
Thistle are showing no lack of fight and Welsh sees an effort blocked by Lewis.
Aberdeen threaten with a quickly taken free kick but Stuckmann is sharply off his line to whip the ball away from Rooney.
A free kick is lifted towards the Thistle back post. The ball is nodded on for Rooney who holds it up for O'Connor who slams a low shot into the net.
Hayes, who has switched from the left to the right, flashes a shoit that can't have been too far wide of Stuckmann's right hand post.
It's another cracking corner and Thistle this time should perhaps score with Barton knocking the ball over the bar.
Azeez earns Thistle a corner.
Welsh's corner is a good one but it is cleared but only back to Welsh who again delivers a good ball into the box. this time Aberdeen struggle to clear and Azeez hooks a shot over the bar.
good build up from Thistle ends with Doolan's cross cleared for a corner.
Lewis has to hurry to clear the ball ahead of Azeez.
Best chance of the game comes Thistle's way. Elliott plays a ball in behind the Aberdeen defence. Azeez is on the end of it but he can't lift the ball over Lewis in the Aberdeen goal.
Stcokley is able to turn and fire off a shot but Stuckmann is well placed and he isn't troubled too much in saving.
Hayes has a bit of space down the left but his cross is cleared.
Booth has Thistle's first effort at goal but it is well off target. Thistle haven't seen too much odf the ball so far.
Stuckmann comes off his line to claim the ball as Thistle are under pressure from Maddison's corner.
Neither side has had an effort on goal inside the first 10 minutes but Aberdeen have looked the more dangerous of the two teams.
Aberdeen are just starting to get on top and are seeing a lot of the ball in the middle of the park.
Thistle deal with the first little spell of Aberdeen pressure.
Thistle are presssing Aberdeen high up the pitch in the early stages.
Aberdeen kick the game off. Thistle will be shooting towards the north stand in the first half.
Thistle field the same outfield ten players for the third game in a row as they aim for their third win in a row. Indeed Thistle field the exact same starting eleven and list the same 7 substitutes that were on duty 6 days ago at St Johnstone.
Aberdeen meantime will be trying to avoid an unwelcome third straight defeat which sets things up nicely for an atrractive game this evening in front of the live TV cameras.