Sat 10 March, 2018
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 10 March, 2018. Kick Off: - 15:00
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Fixture details:
HOME Ticket prices(Jackie Husband and North Stands):
Adults £22
Concessions (Over 65s, students, disabled supporter including carer) £15
Under 16s FREE
AWAY Ticket prices(Colin Weir Stand):
There will be a cash gate in operation for away supporters.
Adults £22
Concessions (Over 65s, students, disabled supporter including carer) £15
Under 16s £5
Match Sponsor:
Match Ball Sponsor:
PlayerZone:
James Penrice and Martin Woods
Aitken Suite:
Opens to all supporters at 11:45
Half Time Legend performing 50/50 draw:
Doug Somner
Programme:
Find out what is inside Saturday’s issue
Available around The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill for only £3
Following the postponement of last weekend’s clash between Thistle and Ross County it has been an extra long wait for Alan Archibald and his players as they look to put right the failings from the previous two games.
It’s a tough match that the Jags return to with the visit of last season’s runners up, Aberdeen, to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill. Despite the challenge facing his side, when he spoke to ptfc.co.uk, Archibald was clear that everyone knew the importance of the task in front of them.
“I think Derek’s sides have evolved each season and I think they’re a stronger team this time round than they have been in previous seasons. Getting McGinn back is a massive boost to the team and I’ve no doubt they missed him while he was away. They’ve got a number of players who represent real threats and we need to cut the supply to those players.
“They’ve got a real desire too and they’ll be a tough nut to crack on Saturday, as they are every time we play them. It’ll be a challenge but, following the last two bitterly disappointing results, we’ve put ourselves under pressure to take points from the next three games which are tough ones against teams above us in the league.
“We knew the fixtures we had and you look at the ones you think are more winnable which takes pressure off the games against the bigger sides meaning you can play with a bit more freedom there. All the teams around us are similar though and we’ve all got something to play for, whether it’s the guys at the bottom or the guys at the top there’s no gimmes in any of the games.”
Aberdeen may be one of the strongest teams in the league but Archibald believes that this year’s Premiership as a whole is the strongest in recent times.
“I think this is probably the strongest league we’ve had in a while. You could see most clubs were aware of that at the start of the season and there was certainly a feeling that there might be a bigger gap start to open up between the top five clubs and the rest of the division.
“Normally most years you’ll see one of the clubs from the bottom half go on a bit of a run, we did it last year, Kilmarnock are doing it this year and someone else will probably do it next season. I think those top five teams will continue to get better and stronger as the seasons go by.”
Although the last two results were extremely disappointing for anyone of a Thistle persuasion Archie insists that his side knows the lessons that must be learnt.
“We’ve just not been seeing games out to be honest with you. I thought we played really well in the Dundee game but switched off for the last 10 minutes and got punished. Similarly last week against Hamilton there was nothing in the game but we switched off and it cost us. Overall our play has been fine but we need to find a way to win the match. At this stage of the season it’s not about playing well or playing great football it’s just about getting three points and that’s what we need to do – grind it out.
“The games we have won this year have been hard fought matches where we have had to grind it out. In those matches our game management has been very good and that’s where we let ourselves down in the last two games.
Finally the gaffer gave ptfc.co.uk a rundown of the latest squad news.
“We’re ok on the injuries front – we’ve got a full squad to choose from except Stuart Bannigan. Obviously with the snow last week we missed a couple o days training but we’ve been lucky enough to secure facilities all of this week so we’re in a good position as far as that is concerned.
“Conor Sammon picked up a knock on his ankle in the last game but has been back to training this week and should be fine. It should make for a good battle if he plays and of course you’ve got Dools there as well so we’ve got good options and we’re confident we have enough to take something from the game.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Christie Elliott, Blair Spittal and Jags gaffer, Alan Archibald, are now available to Jagzone subscribers – log in to see them. Jagzone members will also be able to watch highlights of the game.
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 also listen to live audio commentary of the match.
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Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Two weeks after suffering a late defeat at the hands of Hamilton, Partick Thistle returned to action with a difficult game at home against Aberdeen. The Jags saw their game last weekend called off and as such had an extra week to think over the loss at the SuperSeal Stadium that saw them drop into the bottom two. They came into this afternoon’s contest looking for a first win since late January, taking on a team that they hadn’t beaten since 2014.
Alan Archibald made six changes to his team as he continued to search for that winning formula although a few injury problems meant some decisions were made for him. Tomas Cerny retained his spot in the Thistle goal behind a back-line which saw two changes. Niall Keown picked up a knock in training and didn’t make the squad as a result. He was replaced by Steven Lawless as Thistle went from a five-at-the-back to a four man defence. In this formation, Daniel Devine and Baily Cargill operated as the two centre-halves in Keown’s absence. Callum Booth kept his spot at left back with James Penrice on the bench, however, there was a change at right back. Mustapha Dumbuya dropped out of the squad to be replaced by Christie Elliott as the Englishman made his first appearance for Thistle since he was injured in September.
In the midfield, Abdul Osman and Ryan Edwards both dropped out of the starting XI to be replaced for today’s game. Edwards took a place on the bench as Andrew McCarthy returned to the first XI meanwhile Abdul Osman missed the game, being replaced by Martin Woods. Chris Erskine came back into the side in Blair Spittal’s place in the number ten role while Miles Storey started on the left wing, coming in for Kris Doolan on the opposite wing to Steven Lawless. Conor Sammon remained up top having bagged eight goals in his last eight games.
The match was very scrappy straight from kick-off on a pitch that had taken damage from last week’s snow but Aberdeen were able to carve out the match’s first clear chance in the 14th minute. A deep cross flew towards the back post and Tomas Cerny came to punch the ball. He cleared it out of the six-yard box but it bounced straight to Kenny McLean who was stood on the right side of the box. McLean then opened up his body and attempted to curl a shot home but his effort bent just past the far post and the ball went for a goal-kick.
With the game not one for the football purists, the next big opportunity of the game didn’t come until the 32nd minute. It arrived through the work of Ryan Christie who got in behind Thistle defence on the Dons right. The Celtic loanee proceeded to cut the ball back towards the penalty spot where he found Graeme Shinnie. The visitors’ captain then tried a low shot as he looked sure to give the away side the lead but Tomas Cerny produced a brilliant save to deny the opener.
Thanks to Cerny’s heroics, the teams went into the break level with neither side able to find a deadlock-breaking goal. The game had been bereft of any true quality and the wet conditions had certainly played a part in that.
The second half started much more brightly for the hosts with the Jags carving out a good chance within two minutes of the restart. Miles Storey picked the ball up in the Aberdeen half and fed it to Steven Lawless who had found space on the Colin Weir Stand side of the field. The number 11 then shot at goal finding the target, however, Freddie Woodman was there to turn the ball behind for a corner.
The subsequent corner was whipped in by Woods and Chris Erskine nodded it goalward. The ball looped high into the air and although Woodman was left scrabbling to get to the ball, one of his defenders was able to clear it off the line.
11 minutes into the second 45, Thistle made their first change. Chris Erskine was the man who came off to be replaced by Ryan Edwards as Alan Archibald looked to add fresh legs to his midfield. There was then a long spell between this substitution and the Jags’ next one where no serious chances were created. The second change came in the 68th as Steven Lawless was withdrawn as Blair Spittal was introduced to the contest.
On 73 minutes, Aberdeen had a decent set-piece opportunity to take the lead which they passed up. Niall McGinn went down under the challenge of Christie Elliott and won the free-kick 20 yards from goal. Kenny McLean stepped up to take the shot but he rifled the right-footed effort safely over Tomas Cerny’s goal.
There would be one last big opportunity in the game and it came for Partick Thistle. The Jags broke quickly into the Aberdeen half and Spittal slotted an excellent ball through to Edwards who had found space on the right flank. The Australian had options in the box but opted to go for a shot from the angle. He fired high on goal and with his shot seemingly destined for the top corner, Freddie Woodman pulled off a great save to keep the match goalless.
That would be the final chance for either team as the referee blew for full time with the score at 0-0. The point takes Thistle a point further away from Ross County at the bottom of the table with two difficult away trips to come in the immediate future.
The Jags next game is a tough trip to Tynecastle to take on Craig Levein’s Hearts. Thistle will be hopeful of a result having drawn with the Jambos twice already this season. Kick-off for that one is 15:00 in Edinburgh.
THISTLE TEAM: Cerny, Elliott, Devine, Cargill, Booth, Woods, McCarthy, Lawless (Spittal, 68’), Erskine (Edwards, 56’), Storey, Sammon.
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Scully, P. McGinn, Barton, Fraser, Doolan.
ABERDEEN TEAM: Woodman, Logan, O’Connor, McKenna, Considine, Shinnie, Ball (Mackay-Steven, 67’), McLean, Christie, N. McGinn (Stewart, 81’), May (Rooney, 56’).
UNUSED SUBS (ABD): Rogers, Arnason, Wright, Nwakali.
Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Due to incredible snowfall last week, Partick Thistle’s clash with Ross County in the Highlands was called off. That means that the Jags had two weeks to dwell on a late 2-1 defeat by Hamilton Academicals at the SuperSeal Stadium. While that could have caused the Maryhill men some problems, it seemed that the extra thinking time did Thistle some good as they bounced back with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Aberdeen this afternoon. The league’s third placed team came to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill having won their previous eight games against their hosts today but couldn’t find a way to beat the resilient Jags in a game of few chances in Glasgow. Thistle boss, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk following a scrappy 90 minutes.
Archie began by giving us his view on a well-earned point on a day where his team had to show real fight to make it through.
“We’re obviously very pleased with the draw. I doubt many thought we would get anything today but it’s up to us to put the effort in and prove everyone wrong which we did well this afternoon. It was also very nice to get a clean sheet because we’ve not had one yet this year and that will hopefully boost the defender’s confidence slightly. The first half was a bit to and fro but we looked good after half-time and limited them to very few opportunities. Overall, the lads can be pleased with their performances.”
The gaffer also said he was pleased to discover that his side had moved further clear of bottom spot due to other result from the Ladbrokes Premiership.
“That’s a bonus for us. We have to focus on ourselves because we have no control over the outcomes of other games but it is nice to finish a match and find out that we’ve moved further away from the foot of the table. If we’d taken a point here but Ross County had taken three then the point would feel a bit less valuable but since they’ve lost, it could be massive.”
Alan was particularly complimentary of Baily Cargill who put in a man of the match performance as part of the Thistle back four.
“Baily did very well for us today. His use of the ball was good and there was one challenge in particular in the second half that was terrific. He’s been a very good player in general since he signed but the late goals that we have conceded have been weighing on his mind I think so getting that clean sheet today should do him the world of good.”
Archibald’s Jags now prepare for a tricky trip to Tynecastle to take on Hearts without on form forward, Conor Sammon. The Maryhill men look to move further up the table with a result against Craig Levein’s side at the ground where they drew in November. Kick-off is at 15:00 in Edinburgh.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Christie Elliott and Martin Woods. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
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Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Spittal plays Edwards in down the left wing. Edwards smashes the ball into the danger area but Woodman turns it away from goal.
There will be three added minutes.
Storey cuts in from the left and bends an effort on goal. He finds the target but it's a pretty simple save for Woodman.
Elliott booked for a foul on Mackay-Steven.
Spittal picks up a loose ball in the midfield and moves into the box. He shoots from 18 yards but it's blocked well by a Dons man.
Kenny McLean fires the set-piece over the bar.
McGinn goes down on the edge of the box under Elliott's challenge and wins a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Both teams are struggling to play simple passes as the game becomes increasingly scrappy. You can definitely see the effects of last week's snow on the park and the conditions are proving problematic for both sides.
Considine dribbles the ball out of play under the pressure of Steven Lawless.
Christie flashes a low shot across Tomas Cerny's goal but it skips just past the far post.
Graeme Shinnie gets the ball in the box after Steven Lawless lost out in the midfield. Shinnie shifts onto his left foot and shoots but his attempt goes well over.
Woods' corner seems to come off a defender and loop goalwards. Woodman is scrambling but it's cleared on the line.
Storey picks the ball up in midfield and feeds it to Lawless on the right of the box. He shoots at the near post but Woodman is there to turn it behind.
Stevie May gets on the end of a low cross but fails to bundle it home at the near post under plenty of pressure.
Aberdeen break in behind the Thistle defence and a low cut-back finds Graeme Shinnie in acres of space. The Dons' skipper shoots at goal but Tomas Cerny pulls off an outstanding save to deny the number three and the danger subsides.
Kenny McLean runs half the length of the pitch to get a cross into the box but he can't find a teammate but rather the gloves of Tomas Cerny.
Conor Sammon heads ht eball foreward from a Woodman kick and Chris Erskine looks to latch onto it in chase with Christie. Erskine gets to it first and the two fall over but nothing is given much to the home fans chegrin.
Graeme Shinnie rifles a long-range effort well wide of the goal as it seemed to bobble up in front of him as he looked to strike the ball.
Cerny puches a cross away from goal at the back post but only knocks it to McLean. The number seven opens up his body and tries to curl the ball home but he misses the target marginally.
L;awless blocks a McLean cross.
Chris Erskine moves out of midfield brilliantly and then plays a ball to Sammon down the channel. The striker tries to take the ball into the box but is tackled well by McKenna as it goes for a throw.
After a poor clearance from Steven Lawless, Dominic Ball controls and shoots. He hits it low from 30 yards but misses the target by a good few yards.
First good passage of play for the hosts there as the Jags string some passes together. In the end, Miles Storey gets a cross in from the right wing but O'Connor meets it well to clear the danger.
Stevie May topples over in the box after very slight contact with Daniel Devine as the two went for the ball. Nothing given and thast definitely looked the correct decision at first glance.