SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 14 October, 2017. Kick Off: - 15:00
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Fixture details:
Tickets on sale: ON SALE NOW
HOME Ticket prices:
Adults £22
Concessions (Over 65s, students, disabled supporter including carer) £15
Under 16s FREE
Match Sponsor:
PlayerZone:
Kris Doolan and Andrew McCarthy
Aitken Suite:
Opens to all supporters at 11:45
Blast from the Past:
Half Time Legend performing 50/50 draw:
Martin Hardie
Programme:
Available around Firhill for only £3
As Thistle build up to one of the biggest games of the season so far with the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday, Alan Archibald took some time away from his preparations to speak to ptfc.co.uk about the international break, the injury list and, of course, the game itself.
We started off by reflecting on the international break which, as far as Archie was concerned, could not have come at a worse time.
“It was a horrible break – no doubt about it. I don’t think anyone likes getting beat but the manner of the defeat at Fir Park made it particularly difficult to take and that made for a very long fortnight, I’m not going to lie.
“We got the defeat out of our system in the first part of the week, we went over the game and spoke about it and then put it to bed. We need to get a reaction and put it to bed in what will be a tough game against Kilmarnock this Saturday.
“Luckily, in the time I’ve been in charge we’ve only had four or five performances like that where there have been absolutely no positives to take from it. To be fair to the group we’ve always had a reaction when that has happened and we’ll be looking for the same this weekend because it’s a massive game. We’re at Firhill and we need to make the most of that. It’s a huge game for both clubs and I don’t think anyone here or at Rugby Park will be underestimating that fact.”
With Kilmarnock currently managerless many might see that as a positive for the home side but Archibald knows that uncertainty can be tricky for both teams.
“Obviously it affects it because we don’t know what they are going to do. It’s totally different people in charge and they will be looking for a reaction like we are. It makes it difficult in a sense because we don’t know what they might do tactically or in terms of their team selection but it just means we need to go and focus on ourselves and make sure we do everything in our power to get the three points.
“Of course we will look at what they did in the last game and what they have done so far this season but the main emphasis for us is how we are going to prepare and how we will go about winning the game.
“I do feel for Lee because he was putting in place big changes there and he was trying to do a lot in a short space of time. He tried to reduce the turnover of players every year and that’s not something that can be done overnight. I was very lucky because I had that stability and was given the time to make big changes. We were never in the position where the club was just looking at the next 10 games and we always had good backing.”
Thistle’s injury list has been well publicised and, unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there will be any miraculous recoveries in time for Saturday.
“There hasn’t really been any change to our injury situation – it’s still pretty bad. All our injuries are long term and three of them are full backs so unfortunately things haven’t really eased over the break. The three full backs are still all out long term – Callum Booth, Mustapha Dumbuya and Christie Elliott. In fact Christie had surgery following a scan that showed significant ligament damage so he’s going to be four to six months which is a real blow. Then obviously you have Abdul Osman who is still recovering from surgery on his shoulder.
“We know where we are with it though and we just need to get on with it – there’s nothing we can do about it. The one good bit of news is that Gary Fraser has now got two weeks of full training under his belt and will play in a Development League game next week so it looks like there might be some light at the end of that tunnel which is really positive.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Blair Spittal, Niall Keown and Jags gaffer, Alan Archibald are now available to Jagzone subscribers – log in now to see them. Jagzone members will also be able to watch highlights of the game from midnight.
Can’t make The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill? Jagzone World members (outside the UK and Ireland) can watch the game live – the stream is also available on a PPV basis. Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match.
For a full list of all the great content you can access from just £5.99 per month as a Jagzone member, click here.
Article Copyright © 2017. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Following eight successive Ladbrokes Premiership games without a win to start the league season, Partick Thistle welcomed Kilmarnock to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill with both sides seeking their first victories of the league campaign. The Jags went into the international break off the back of a 3-0 loss to Motherwell and would be looking to improve on that dismal performance.
Tomas Cerny started in goals once again for Thistle with the defence reverting to a back-four. Jordan Turnbull dropped to the bench with Daniel Devine and Niall Keown starting in centre-half. Paul McGinn started on the left of the backline with Milan Nitriansky on the right. Ryan Edwards and Adam Barton retained their places in midfield while Miles Storey, Chris Erskine and Blair Spittal formed a three in behind lone striker, Kris Doolan.
The match started slowly with Thistle unable to break down Kilmarnock and despite the Jags having the lion’s share of possession, it was the visitors who had the first chance of the game. Jordan Jones found space on the Killie left and the Northern Irishman found Greg Taylor with a pass. Taylor shot from a difficult angle but aimed his effort straight at Tomas Cerny and the Czech ‘stopper held the attempt.
One minute later, the away side had another opportunity to open the scoring. Jordan Jones got the better of Milan Nitriansky on the Killie left and shot at the near post. Tomas Cerny stood tall and made the block but it fell back to Jones who then tried to squeeze it past the ‘keeper at the near post. From the angle, Jones directed it right across the face of goal and the danger was cleared.
In the 32nd minute, Thistle broke the Kilmarnock rear guard for the first time of the match. Kris Doolan slotted a lovely ball through to Ryan Edwards in the Killie box. Edwards then tried the cut-back having run in behind Gordon Greer. With Storey and Erskine available, the Australian couldn’t find either and the danger is cleared.
The next big action of the half was a goal but it came for the visiting Killie team. A quick throw-in by ex-Jag, Stephen O’Donnell found Jordon Jones. Jones then hopefully launched a ball into the box which seemed harmless but Niall Keown horribly misjudged the delivery and headed the ball into the ground with it dropping in the Jags’ area. Kris Boyd was first to it and the veteran marksman stroked it home from ten yards giving the Ayrshire side the lead.
The Rugby Park side should have doubled the deficit before the break, too, as Alan Power went close. A quick turnover of possession gave Kilmarnock a 3-on-2 break. Stephen O’Donnell was given the ball in the Thistle box by Jordan Jones and the former Luton Town defender laid the ball back to the onrushing Power. The midfielder took on the shot first time but fired his attempt well over the bar from just outside the box.
So, the Jags went into the break one down despite having controlled most of the game. Thistle had been fairly toothless in possession while their Ayrshire adversaries had looked dangerous during their short spells with the ball. Ultimately, it was some defensive slackness and an individual error that gave the travelling Killie side the lead. The Jags, with so many creative players in the team, had to up their attacking game in the second period.
Five minutes after the restart, Jamie McDonald was tested for the first time of the game. Blair Spittal’s delivery was cleared by the Killie defence but it fell only to Paul McGinn who then tried a curled effort from range. The attempt was powerful and on target but McDonald was able to turn it away from goal fairly easily, watching the shot all the way.
Just as the home side were getting back into the match, Killie should have made it two. Ryan Edwards’ mistake allowed Rory McKenzie, Kris Boyd and Jordan Jones to break onto Thistle’s two centre-halves. MacKenzie played a square ball for Jones but his flicked attempt was blocked. The ball did fall back to the number 11, however, and he then lifted a cross back across goal. It found Kris Boyd and the experienced frontman headed on goal. The effort was on target but Jags right-back Milan Nitriansky was on hand to clear it off the line.
Despite Milan’s heroics, the visitors would get their second a minute later. The away side win the second ball from a McDonald kick-out and that allowed Frizzell to move forward in the Jags half. He wasn’t challenged and unleashed a devastating strike from 25 yards beating Tomas Cerny all ends up. The goal gave the counter-attacking Kilmarnock team the extra cushion they were looking for as they headed into the final half hour.
Alan Archibald brought Conor Sammon on for Miles Storey in the 64th minute and Andy McCarthy on for Adam Barton in the 77th minute as he looked for an avenue back into the game but there was no way back for his Jags. Kris Doolan and Conor Sammon went close late on but it wasn’t to be as the game ended 2-0 to Kilmarnock.
This defeat not only leaves Thistle still looking for their first win of the season but also puts them at the bottom of the table nine games in. They must now begin preparations for next week’s vital meeting with Dundee at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill. Kick-off is 15:00 In Maryhill.
Article Copyright © 2017. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Eight games into the Ladbrokes Premiership season and Alan Archibald’s Partick Thistle side were still looking for their first win of the league campaign as they prepared to take on Kilmarnock at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill. The Jags fell to a 2-0 defeat against fellow strugglers, Killie with a goal in each half downing the Maryhill men. Kris Boyd netted late in the first half while Adam Frizzell slammed a 25 yard screamer home to help the Ayrshire side grab the win. Jags’ boss, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the game.
Archie admitted that his team were nowhere near good enough on the day as they fell to a disheartening defeat that leaves them bottom of the table.
“Overall, it wasn’t good enough. We knew how vital the first goal was going to be but the disappointing thing was that it came from a throw-in; it was preventable. We had a good idea of how Kilmarnock were going to set-up but we didn’t move the ball quickly enough. We were taking too many touches on the ball when we had to be moving it around and to be honest, Killie probably enjoyed defending against us today.”
In a game where his side had so much of the ball, the gaffer was unhappy with the goal that his side conceded as Killie opened the scoring in the 39th minute.
“To be honest, its schoolboy stuff. A long throw down the flank and then Niall makes a mistake when the cross comes in and that’s just something that happens in football. Stopping the initial danger would mean that Niall wouldn’t be in a position to make that mistake and we should have stopped it. After they got that goal they sat in and tried to hurt with counters. They carried out their game plan well and that’s a credit to them.”
One of the challenges that Alan has faced to start the season is the mounting list of injuries at the club. The Jags kicked off this afternoon with eight first team players unavailable which provides an altogether different problem when trying to find a winning formula on the park.
“It’s a big thing but we can’t use it as an excuse. The starting eleven we put out should have been good enough to win the game. The injuries are problematic though because we have two or three injuries for the same areas. Full-back is the most obvious one with Christie Elliott, Callum Booth and Mustapha Dumbuya out. We also have a bit of a deficiency in centre-midfield with Abdul Osman out and Stuart Bannigan unavailable today. Steven Lawless also missed today’s match through illness. Nevertheless, we have to soldier on and as I’ve said, there should be enough quality in that team to make a game of it.”
At full time, the Firhill faithful made their feelings known about the day’s game but Archie doesn’t blame the fans whatsoever as the performance simply wasn’t good enough from the men on the pitch.
“The fans have always been brilliant with me and, if I’m being honest, they deserve to be unhappy. They’ve just seen their team lose 2-0 at home in a massive game so they’re entitled to show some disappointment. They got impatient at times today but that was down to our showing. There were too many sideward passes. The players are paid to take the ball in pressure situations and they didn’t do enough of that today so I’ve got no complaints about the fans.”
Thistle now sit bottom of the table as the only side in the league yet to win a match and Alan knows today’s result makes next week’s meeting with Dundee even bigger than it was before.
“It’s a massive game. Just now, we’re still within touching distance of the teams above and our next couple of games give us a chance to get back amongst the pack. However, these were the things we were saying before today’s game so we have to work hard to make sure we’re better next Saturday.”
As the gaffer mentioned, his side now start preparation for their clash with Dundee next Saturday as they look to bring themselves closer to the teams above. Kick-off is 15:00 from the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Paul McGinn and Andrew McCarthy. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
Jagzone subscribers can rewatch the full 90 minutes soon.
Highlights will be added shortly and will be free for Jagzone subscribers.
For a full list of all the great content you can access from just £5.99 per month as a Jagzone member, click here.
Article Copyright © 2017. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Sat 14 October, 2017
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
It's a richly deserved win for Kilmarnock as Thistle turn in another desperately poor display.
Sammon's effort from the corner bounces off the base of the post.
Doolan turns and shoots and forces MacDonald into a good save.
Minimum of 3 minutes additional time to be played.
Erskine drags a shot wide as the game drifts towards a conclusion.
Good tracking back from McCarthy but a Kilmarnock corner all the same.
Devine has a chance at the corner but the ball seems to slide across his head.
Spitall tries to find Devine at the back post but the ball goes out for a goal kick. Devine clearly thinks he was held by a defender though.
Thistle free kick near the right hand corner of the Killie box.
Thistle clear the free kick and try and break. Doolan does manage to get a header on target but MacDonald saves easily.
Kilmarnock have a free kick just in from the right touchline just about in line with the penalty spot.
Nitriansky's cross is cleared ahead of the waiting Erskine. There is no sign of a Thistle comeback.
Jones has the ball in the net for Kilmarnock but the flag is up for offside.
Kilmarnock don't have to wait too long though to score a second goal and it's a tremendous long range strike from Frizzell that may well have clinched the game for the away side.
Nitriansky clears a Boyd effort off the line as Kilmarnock waste a glorious opportunity to punish Thistle on the counter attack.
It's a great ball in from near the bye line from O'Donnell that Frizzell can't force home at the back post.
Forceful play from McGinn allows him to take control of the ball. He pushes a pass inside to Spittal whose shot is always going well wide of goal.
McGinn makes a great challenge in the box as Killie threaten a second goal.
Storey cuts in from the right hand side but his low shot lacks power and MacDonald is able to get down and make a comfortable save.
It's a good ball in from Nitriansky but Greer is well placed to head clear. It's been better from Thistle so far in the second half though.
Spittal delivers a good cross that Kilmarnock do well to get clear. They clear only as far as McGinn though who tests MacDonald with a low drive that the keeper is happy to push away from goal.
Spittal tamely lifts the free kick into the box where MacDonald simply steps forward to collect the ball.
Thistle are given a free kick when it might have been better for play to have continued.
There are some boos from the home support as the half-time whistle sounds as Kilmarnock go into the dressing room at half-time with a 1-0 lead.
The only goal of a poor, poor first half came from Kris Boyd who was left with an easy chance to score after a poor attempted clearance from Keown.
Thistle have offered little up front.
Minimum of 1 minute of additional time to be added.
Edwards does well to collect the ball after the corner is cleared but simply runs down a blind alley.
Spittal's effort takes a defection.
It nearly gets worse for Thistle as Kilmarnock come forward only for Power to shoot over from a good position at the edge of the box.
Truly awful goal for Thistle to lose. Boyd collects a dreadful attempt at a headed clearance from Keown and from 8 yards out knocks the ball home.
Doolan darts near post to meet Spittal's corner but heads wide of goal without troubling MacDonald.
A good ball in from Nitriansky earns Thistle a corner.
Cerny makes a good catch from the corner.
Thistle are under pressure on the Killie left again as Frizzell wins a corner.
Erskine finds a small pocket of space but Greer takes the ball away from him.
Doolan plays a lovely ball to Edwards who elects to cut the ball back rather than shoot. Thistle regain possession of the ball and there are some optimistic shouts for a penalty when Doolan goes down.
Play is stopped for Spittal to receive a spot of treatment.
Power escapes a booking for a heavy challenge on Edwards.
Thistle can't prevent Frizzell from getting the ball in from the corner of the box and McKenzie flicks his cross just over the Thistle crossbar.
Findlay makes progress down the Killie left but his cross is too deep and Thistle clear.
Taylor flights the free kick in and Cerny comes off his line and gets enough of a hand to the ball to get it clear. The flag on the far side goes up anyway and Thistle have a free kick.
Kilmarnock are starting to get on top and they have a free kick about 15 yards from the right hand corner of the Thistle box.
Jones just breezes past Nitriansky and tries to beat Cerny at his near post. Cerny saves but Jones gets the ball back and this time drills a low ball across the face of the Thistle goal.
Jones has too much space on the Thistle right and he finds Taylor with a pass. Taylor shoots but the shot is straight at Cerny.
Nitriansky's shot strikes the foot of Doolan and nearly spins into the path of the Thistle striker for a shot.
A good ball from Edwards finds Spittal who hangs a cross into the box but MacDonald is able to claim the ball without too much trouble.
Spittal's run takes him into the Killie box but he can't find a teammate with his cut back.
Spittal aims his corner towards the back post. Doolan is able to win the ball in the air but his header takes the ball away from goal and Kilmarnock clear.
Nitriansky is able to find Erskine in space but his cross is easily cleared.
Thistle are seeing plenty of the ball early on but Kilmarnock are operating with two very solid looking banks of 4 and there is very little space to be exploited.
Doolan is caught offside as Thistle come forward for the first time.
Thistle win a free kick at the corner of their own box for a challenge that leaves Keown limping.
It's back to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill for the visit of Kilmarnock with even at this relatively early stage of the season a vital three points up for grabs.
It's been a fortnight since Thistle were last in action and Alan Archibald has made just one change from the side that went down to defeat at Motherwell, albeit a change that looks that leading to change in shape of the team.
Jordan Turnbull drops to the bench for this one with Chris Erskine starting.