Saturday 25th August, 2012 at 8:51pm
Tomorrow afternoon Thistle have the opportunity to equal a small piece of Club history by recording their sixth straight victory at the start of a season. Only once previously, in season 1975-1976, has a Thistle side begun a season with six successive victories.
There is a feeling of optimism inside the Firhill camp at present but there isn’t a single person that believes that tomorrow’s game with Dumbarton will be anything other than very difficult. Manager Jackie McNamara was certainly anticipating a tough game when he spoke with [link:HOME]
“Dumbarton had a good season last season winning promotion from the Second Division, and they did well in the play-off matches. I was impressed with them in the games I saw them play last season and make no mistake about it; tomorrow’s game is going to be a very difficult one for us. It is important that we get at it right from the start and try to keep the momentum from our good start going.”
“Tomorrow’s game presents a different type of challenge from our two previous league games. There is a growing sense of expectation following our good start to the season and with that comes a little extra pressure, though to be fair there is always pressure. Last season when we were expected to win we really struggled, especially in cup ties. I think though that there is a different kind of mind set in the squad this season. It’s more a team, rather than a collection of individuals. If we go about this game in a similar manner to the last two league games then there is every chance that we can maintain our good start to the season.”
Jackie is hoping that the Thistle fans, just as they did in the Falkirk game a fortnight ago, again play their part tomorrow.
“There really was a fantastic atmosphere inside Firhill at our last game with Falkirk. The noise that the Thistle fans created that afternoon was incredible. So much so that they were virtually a 12th man for us and I’m hoping for a repeat of that on Saturday.”
The manager is in a happy position of having virtually a full squad to select from tomorrow.
“With things going well everyone is desperate to play at the moment and that is very pleasing. A perfect example of that desire to play can be found in Sean Welsh last weekend. Last Friday Sean, with his eye closed over, had absolutely no chance of playing the following day. But he made it clear that he didn’t want to miss the game. With competition for places nobody wants to miss a game in case they can’t back in the side. With that in mind it is hard not to feel a bit of sympathy for Aaron Sinclair. It’s through no fault of his own, and no reflection on his ability, that he isn’t playing. It’s all down to the form of young Stuart Bannigan who has been doing exceptionally well. Stuart can play in a number of positions but I like the balance of the team with Stuart playing in his present position. I though the balance of the team last week at Dunfermline was pretty much spot on. “
Steven Lawless was ill at the start of the week but he should be absolutely fine to play on Saturday. That means, touch wood, that only David Rowson should be missing. It’s a really frustrating time for David who hasn’t returned to training yet. He was set to return last week but suffered another back spasm. We really need to get to the bottom of David’s problems and hopefully it won’t be too long before we do start to see signs of improvement. One of the most frustrating things is that he will need to go through almost a mini pre-season when he does return from injury.”
Partick Thistle Stats
Season 2012-2013 So Far
W D L F A
5 0 0 12 5
Scorers Season 2012-2013
Kris Doolan 3
Chris Erskine 3
Steven Lawless 3
Stuart Bannigan 1
Christie Elliott 1
Aaron Sinclair 1
Last Game
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Saturday August 18th 2012
Dunfermline Athletic 0, Partick Thistle 1
Dumbarton Stats
Season 2012-02013 So Far
W D L F A
1 0 3 3 8
Scorers season 2012-2013
Jim Lister 2
Bryan Prunty 1
Last Game
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Saturday August 18th 2012
Dumbarton 0, Cowdenbeath 3
Last Meeting
Scottish League Second Division
Saturday April 29th 2006
Dumbarton 2, Partick Thistle 3
Teams
Dumbarton: Grindlay, Winter, McQuilken (Ferry), Gaughan, Smith, Walker (Dillon), Borris, Connell, Boyle, Rodgers, Gemmell.
Thistle: Arthur, Murray, McCulloch, Brady, Smyth, Craig, J Gibson, B Gibson, Strachan (Nicholas), McConalogue, Roberts.
Scorers:
Dumbarton: Rodgers (40 and 41)
Thistle: McConalogue (55 and 87), Roberts (69)
Crowd: 1,257
Match Details
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Saturday August 25th 2012
Partick Thistle v Dumbarton
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Prices
Adults: £17
OAP (65+): £12
16-21: £12
Full Time Education: £12
Programme £2.50
Match Officials
Referee: Stephen Finnie
Assistant Referees: Brian Templeton and Scott Love
Other First Division Fixtures
Cowdenbeath v Hamilton Accies
Morton v Falkirk
Raith Rovers v Livingston
Airdrie United v Dunfermline Athletic
