Sat 1 December, 2018
SPFL Ladbrokes Championship 
Palmerston ParkSPFL Ladbrokes Championship
Sat 1 December, 2018. Kick Off: - 15:00
Palmerston Park
Fixture Information:
Admission Details:
This fixture is a PAY AT THE GATE fixture.
Prices:
Adults – £18
Concessions – £10
Under 16s – £5
Under 12s – £1
A concession is classed as a person between the ages of 18 and 20, 65 and older or a student with a valid matriculation card.
Disabled supporters pay the concession rate with a free carer included in their ticket price.
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
The City Centre Branch bus is now full for this fixture.
John Lambie Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – 12:00
Thornwood Bar – 12:05
Prices:
£18 for adults
£10 for concessions
All Jags fans are welcome but booking is essential.
For seats please contact Alistair on 07817612563 or email
For general enquires please contact Iain on 07779668357 or email
North-West Branch:
Pick ups:
Milngavie Station – 12:00
Esquire House – 12:20
Maryhill Community Halls – 12:35
Non-Members fares:
£17 for adults.
£10.50 for concessions.
To reserve seats, please e-mail or call 0141 632 3604 before 9:00 pm.
As Thistle return to competitive action after a weekend with no game, it is Queen of the South that will provide the opposition as the Jags travel to Dumfries to take on the Doonhamers. Despite the break in fixtures, Gary Caldwell was quite clear that the focus for the last two weeks hasn’t slipped and the intensity hasn’t dipped.
The Thistle boss took time with ptfc.co.uk and started by giving an overview of what the last 10 days or so have looked like.
“The focus has stayed very much on how we take three points on Saturday, but without the pressure of a game last weekend we were able to train in a different way and work on some things that we might not otherwise have had the chance to.
“Some of our players have played a lot of minutes so far this season so it was good to get them a bit of a refresh and a rest as well. We played a closed door friendly last Friday which kept the competitive hunger up in the players and also gave us the opportunity to experiment with a few different shapes and with personnel in different positions.
“It has been a really good two weeks overall and I think we are in a great position to go into this weekend’s fixture. We’re confident, motivated and hungry to improve on a good performance away to Falkirk, hopefully by taking all three points this time.”
Thistle hit the headlines at the start of the week having spent a day training with Four Para in Garelochhead, Argyll but it was an experience that the manager took a great many positives from and was something he had been looking to organise from when he first walked in the door.
“That kind of experience is something we have been looking to bring through right from when we first came into the Club and I think it was hugely beneficial. I did it when I was at Wigan and it worked really well so hopefully we’ll see similar results here.
“We wanted to take the players outside of their comfort zone and force them to make tough decisions under pressure. One of the buzzwords, or phrases if you like, that I have used in the last six weeks or so is “be comfortable being uncomfortable”. That’s a mind-set we are trying to get into the players and that was a central theme for Saturday. What the guys with Four Para did was bring out the leadership qualities in each and every one of the players and I think that made them mentally stronger.
“We took as much as we possibly could from the day and it was a fantastic learning opportunity. It’s now down to myself, my staff and the players to take what we learnt into Saturday.”
As much as hard work on the training pitch has been a priority for Caldwell, building relationships on and off the pitch has also been key to his approach.
“You can talk tactics and work on the training pitch as a group and as individuals but I’m a big believer in team spirit and I think it can go a long way as well. We need to build relationships and an understanding between individuals off the pitch in order to get the results we want on it.
“Saturday certainly helped with this aspect of our work but it will be something we continue to focus on. Those relationships are growing on a daily basis as the players continue to learn about each other and it all comes together to build towards winning on any given Saturday.”
In Stephen Dobbie, Queen of the South have a striker who has scored almost 30 goals this season and, while Caldwell will make sure his players are aware of the threat, he insists he will not change everything his side does to combat one player.
“We respect every team we play and every player we come up against. When I say that what I mean is my staff and I analyse how the opposition will set up and the individual and team attributes that they have. We look at how they can hurt us and how we can hurt them. Most of all though we work to make sure that our players know what they will come up against when they cross that white line.
“Our approach won’t change because of one player but, as usual, we will be well prepared and ready for what Queen of the South will offer come 3pm on Saturday.”
Finally Caldwell went through the all-important team news.
“Other than the long term ones who are all continuing to work hard to get back to full fitness we have only had one additional injury concern, as Craig Slater picked up a knock in the bounce game last week. It looks like he will miss out on Saturday but it doesn’t look as bad as we first thought so we’re hopeful he won’t miss a lot of football because of it.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Sean McGinty, James Penrice and Jags gaffer, Gary Caldwell, are available to Jagzone subscribers – log in now to see them.
Jagzone members will also be able to watch extended highlights of the game.
Can’t make it to Palmerston Park? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 2:45pm on Saturday.
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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.
Partick Thistle travelled to Palmerston Park this afternoon as they looked to build on their first point under Gary Caldwell which they earned away to Falkirk in their last Championship game. The draw with the Bairns ended a streak of seven straight losses and also represented Thistle’s first away point of the league season.
There were three changes made to the side that battled to a draw in Falkirk two weeks ago with the team lining up in a 3-5-2 formation. Jamie Sneddon retained his place in goals with Cammy Bell not recovering from an injury sustained in the warm-up a fortnight ago. Sean McGinty and Niall Keown started alongside Tam Scobbie in the back three with Scobbie making just his third start for the Jags. Christie Elliott and James Penrice acted as wing-backs with Stuart Bannigan, Blair Spittal and Aidan Fitzpatrick in midfield with the latter making his first career start in league action. Up front Chris Erskine returned to the side after some injury problems supporting long-time strike partner, Kris Doolan.
The first chance of the game fell after nine minutes and fell for Blair Spittal. The phase of play began with Tam Scobbie who brought the ball out of defence and fed it to Blair Spittal. The number seven then played a smart one-two with Chris Erskine before driving a shot wide of the target from 20 yards.
The Jags had another long ranged opportunity after 19 minutes which would this time call the hosts goalkeeper, Alan Martin into action. The shot came from Chris Erskine who had cut inside onto his left foot and unleashed a rasping shot towards the far corner. Doonhamers’ stopper, Martin managed to tip it past the post at full stretch, denying Erskine his fourth of the Championship campaign.
Shortly thereafter the Jags worked a corner routine which almost got them their opener. The ball was played low to the penalty spot from the corner flag and Kris Doolan latched onto the delivery. His initial effort was blocked at close range but it then fell back to the number nine who beat Alan Martin at the second attempt. Unfortunately for the striker, there were men on the line who were able to block his effort from going in and Queens escaped unscathed.
The hosts had a rare sight of goal in the 38th minute as the prolific Stephen Dobbie went close from 20 yards. The experienced forward picked the ball up just outside the corner of the box and never lacking confidence, he tried to cut across the ball with his right foot, looking for the bottom corner. The shot gave Jamie Sneddon something to think about but it skidded wide by a yard or so.
With that, the teams entered the break with the score 0-0, however, only one team really looked like breaking that deadlock. The travelling Jags had been on top in terms of possession and had looked the more dangerous of the two sides with goal line clearances and excellent stops denying them the opener.
At the start of the second half it seemed to be a continuation of the same pattern with Thistle in control and on 51 minutes, Tam Scobbie headed a Blair Spittal free kick over the bar as the Maryhill men continued their search for the game’s first goal.
Nevertheless, the home side grew into things and could have had the lead with 61 minutes gone. Callum Fordyce lifted a ball into the box which Lyndon Dykes stooped to meet. The Australian’s headed effort looked bound for goal but it clipped the outside of the post and went out for a goal kick as the Jags got away with one.
In the 64th minute Thistle would make their first substitution of the match as Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo was introduced in place of Kris Doolan.
The next significant action of the game came with 13 minutes to play as the away side were once again denied by a clearance on the goal line. Once again it came from a corner but unlike the last one, this was a pretty cut and dry delivery into the box. It was Blair Spittal’s out-swinger that Sean McGinty met, beating Alan Martin all ends up, however, Jordan Marshall was on hand to head the ball clear and deny Thistle the lead. Shortly after that, Jai Quitongo replaced Chris Erskine.
In the end, the Maryhill men were made to rue that missed chance as Stephen Dobbie fired the hosts into the lead just four minutes later. Stuart Bannigan lost the ball in midfield and that allowed Lyndon Dykes to feed Stephen Dobbie. The frontman took an exquisite first touch, moving him away from Niall Keown and into the box. Then, with Jamie Sneddon onrushing, Dobbie cleverly slotted under the young ‘keeper to give his side the advantage.
The Jags continued to push into the latter stages of the game with Miles Storey replacing Niall Keown late on and they even had the ball in the goal but Aidan Fitzpatrick was ruled to have been offside before he netted powerfully with his right foot.
There was still time for one last piece of late drama though as Blair Spittal went down in the box during the second minute of injury time. Mutombo laid the ball off for Spittal in the box and as the number tried to skip past a challenge, Michael Doyle wiped him out in full view of the referee. However, Steven McLean waved the energetic claims for a spot kick away before blowing the final whistle with the score at 1-0.
Late frustrations topped off a very tough result for Thistle to take with wastefulness in front of goal costing them once again. Chance after chance came and chance after chance was missed with Queen of the South clinical enough to get the necessary one goal to earn them three points.
The Jags now have to regroup and focus on next week’s vital Championship clash with Dunfermline as they look to avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered at East End Park earlier this term. Kick-off is 15:00 from the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.
PARTICK THISTLE TEAM: Sneddon, Keown (Storey, 83’), Scobbie, McGinty, Elliott, Penrice, Bannigan, Spittal, Fitzpatrick, Erskine (Quitongo, 80’), Doolan (Mutombo, 64’).
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Stevenson, Jefferies, Storer, Ntambwe.
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH TEAM: Martin, Mercer, Fordyce, Doyle, Marshall, Stirling (Frizzell, 59’), Harkins, Jacobs, Todd (Norman, 68’), Dykes, Dobbie (Murray, 82’).
UNUSED SUBS (QOS): Leighfield, Semple, Bell.
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.
Partick Thistle were unable to build on their point against Falkirk two weeks ago as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Queen of the South at Palmerston Park this afternoon. The Jags dominated large spells of the game and had chances to score but were made to rue missed opportunities when Stephen Dobbie grabbed the winner in the final ten minutes. The visitors had a header cleared off the line and a strong penalty appeal waved away but they couldn’t salvage anything from the game. Thistle manager, Gary Caldwell spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the defeat:
“I thought we played well and controlled the game. They really struggled to create in the first half but we gave Dobbie one chance and he scored as you’d expect.
“We got in some good attacking positions throughout the match but it’s just a slight lack of composure around the box that’s costing us at the moment.
“We should have been out of sight by the time they scored but once again we were wasteful and it’s disappointing but we have to take responsibility and make the difference ourselves.”
Thistle were claiming for a penalty in added time when Blair Spittal was upended but their appeals were waved away by Steven McLean, however, Caldwell feels a spot kick should have been awarded.
“I think it’s a penalty. I reckon everyone in the stadium thinks it’s a penalty except the man who had to give it. The referee told me that there was contact but it wasn’t enough. I didn’t know there was specific level of contact for penalties so I’ve just found that out today.
“That’s the sort of decision that will go against you when you’re on a bad run. You can’t rely on things going your way, you have to turn it around yourselves which is what we have to do.”
Gary was once again frustrated by his side’s failure to turn great chances into goals ultimately leading to another loss.
“It’s something that we need to overcome. We create plenty but can’t seem to find the net. Today, Kris Doolan, Chris Erskine, Blair Spittal and Sean McGinty had opportunities but again we failed to score. They were clearing things off the line and their ‘keeper made a great save all at 0-0 so if we can start to take even one or two of these chances then we’ll be in a much better position to go and win games.”
A more in depth video interview with Gary Caldwell is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Tam Scobbie and Blair Spittal – log in now to see them.
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 © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
The ball bounces around the Queen of the South box but Martin is able to claim and fall on the ball.
Spittal is hacked down in the box. It's look a penalty from our angle but referee McLean waves away the claims
Quitongo controls the ball on the turn but sends an effort over the bar from the edge of the box.
A deep corner is met by Fitzpatrick but he can't get any strength or direction on it
Fitzpatrick has the ball in the net after a through pass from Quitongo but the flag was up for offside.
The ball is played through to Dobbie who, clean through on goal, slots the ball away from Sneddon and into the net.
Queen's break from the Jags corner but excellent reading of the game from Bannigan denies Dobbie any sight of goal.
It's Spittal's delivery which is met by McGinty. It's goal bound but headed off the line before Thistle win another corner
Not much to report on recently but Dobbie has a free kick from 25 yards in a central but wide area. It's into the wall. Queen's keep possession and Sneddon produces a good low save from a snap shot from Dykes
After a period of Queen's possession, Dobbie sends one wide from the edge of the box.
Mercer hits one from range which Sneddon gathers at the second attempt.
Fitzpatrick and Mutombo link up but the attackers can't pick out Erskine in the box.
Dykes meets a floated delivery from Fordyce and sends his header goalwards. It hits the post before bouncing out for a goalkick with Todd lurking for the rebound
A Queens counter down the left from Stirling picks out Dykes with his low cross. He can't get into stride to hit it first time so has to hold it up before Dobbie is crowded out.
A deep free kick from Spittal is met by Scobbie but is headed over.
It's been an encouraging start to the second half from Thistle and Spittal wins a corner.
This afternoon's attendance is 1508. Thanks to the 384 Jags who made the trip south
Doolan takes the ball away from the feet of Erskine but Spittal wins a corner with a deflected shot.
Dobbie drills a low shot wide of the post from the corner of the box.
Spittal skips past a couple of challenges and breaks into the box. His shot is poor though and he pokes the ball straight at Alan Martin
Bannigan is bundled over but no free kick is awarded. Queen's play on and the ball concludes with a Harkins shot being drilled wide.
A Spittal free kick from wide is headed away by Fordyce. Queen's break but Elliott is across to clear the ball away from Dobbie.
A clever corner routine works its way to Doolan who has a shot blocked by Harkins before a second effort is cleared off the line
The corner falls to Bannigan at the edge of the box. His shot is deflected and flies out of the stadium, over the terracing behind the goal.
Erskine cuts inside and forces a full length save from Martin to deny his curling effort.
First opportunity for the hosts with a cross from Todd met by Dykes. He slightly miscues and it directs away from goal.
Fitzpatrick picks up the ball in a pocket of space. He shows quick feet but drags a shot slightly wide of target from the edge of the box,
Erskine does brilliantly to control a bouncing ball and create a bit of space. It's laid back to Spittal who whips over a cross which is a fraction too high for Doolan.
A last gasp header from Fordyce denies Fitzpatrick from being played clean through with a lofted ball destined to find the Jags number 21 racing through on goal.
Scobbie brings the ball out from deep striding into the Queen's half. He plays it in to Spittal, slightly wide on the right. Spittal cuts inside, plays a one-two with Erskine before drilling a low left footed shot wide from 18 yards.
A deep delivery is nodded away for a second Jags corner
Thistle have lined up in 3-5-2 against Queen's 4-4-2 and immediately have a period of possession in the Doonhamers half. It's a bitterly cold day in Dumfries this afternoon but a large Jags following has made the trip south.