SPFL Ladbrokes Championship
Sat 13 October, 2018. Kick Off: - 15:00
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
When Gerry Britton became Partick Thistle’s Chief Executive in the summer, he thought his days of putting on the tracksuit and delivering coaching sessions were over. But he’s been back out on the training field this week following the departure of Alan Archibald and Scott Paterson last Saturday. It will be Gerry along with Academy Director, Scott Allison, taking the side for this weekend’s Ladbrokes Championship match against Dundee United.
With a huge league fixture coming up and a simultaneous search for a new permanent manager, it’s been a busy week for Britton but we caught up with the caretaker boss earlier today to preview the United match.
Gerry began by talking to us about how training has been after an undoubtedly difficult weekend for all at the Club.
“The guys have played at a very high intensity this week, which has been really encouraging. We had a team meeting on Monday because we felt it was important to make sure the squad’s minds were in the right place. It was very clear from that meeting that there was a determination around every player in the squad and they were 100% focused on what is a very big game this Saturday.”
Returning to the coaching side of things was never on Gerry’s agenda so it’s fair to say it has been a strange week in that regard.
“It’s quite exciting for me because as much as I’m enjoying my CEO role, I’ll always enjoy my coaching. We have a very talented group too, so I’ve enjoyed what we’ve done so far. Having said that, a few days is more than enough for me and, hopefully, I’ll be back in the office full time soon.”
We then moved on to discussing our opponents tomorrow, Dundee United, who Gerry knows will be buoyed by their new managerial appointment.
“There’s not much between any two teams in this league, which means any game is winnable. But at the same time, it also means there is no game that you can take for granted.
“United is a team that has undoubted quality but has fallen victim to huge expectation at times over the last few years. However, they have shown that they can turn up at any point to put on a great performance and we have to be prepared for that.”
Gerry then commented on the style of play he and Scott Allison are planning to use on Saturday, declaring that there will be plenty of attacking intent from his side.
“There’s only so much we can do in a week of training so I wouldn’t expect a massive overhaul in terms of how the team plays. Scott and I are both coaches who have been a part of the academy where there is a focus on attacking football and we hope that we can bring some of that to the team tomorrow. But it was equally important to us that we addressed the need to tighten up the defence to secure a win.”
We ended the chat by talking to Britton about team news ahead of the game tomorrow.
“The long term guys are in the same position. Tam O’Ware is still out as are Aaron Lennox and Shea Gordon although they’ve been progressing well recently and hopefully aren’t too far from returns. Also, Tam Scobbie misses this one because he’s on loan from our opponents.
“In terms of Souleymane Coulibaly, he’s not quite ready yet. He’s working very closely with our sports science team at the moment as he builds his fitness up. It’s been a very long time since he’s played a proper football match but the hope is that within the next week, he’ll be training at full intensity and looking at getting involved in a squad.”
With the Club currently undertaking a change, we want to keep all Thistle supporters up to date. That’s why, for this weekend’s match against Dundee United, all preview and reaction videos will be free to view for every Jags fan.
Watch the preview interviews with Cammy Bell, Christie Elliott and Scott Allison free to view.
Jagzone subscribers will also be able to watch extended highlights of the game.
Can’t make it to The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 2:45pm on Saturday.
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.
Gerry Britton and Scott Allison were the men in charge of Partick Thistle as the Jags took on Dundee United in a rearranged Ladbrokes Championship match this afternoon. The setting was Maryhill as Thistle aimed to get back to winning ways after losing two consecutive league games for the first time this season.
The caretaker co-managers made just a single change to the side that lost to Ross County last week although they did tweak the starting shape. The only alteration from last Saturday’s line-up was Cammy Bell who had recovered from illness to take back his spot in the starting XI from Jamie Sneddon. The backline was unchanged as Christie Elliott, Niall Keown, Sean McGinty and James Penrice formed the rear-guard. Stuart Bannigan was the only man sitting just in front of the defence with the number eight wearing the captain’s armband for the day. Craig Slater occupied the number ten role just ahead of Bannigan with Chris Erskine and Blair Spittal on either flank while Miles Storey and Kris Doolan started as a front two.
With conditions wet and a bit windy, the game was quite scrappy in the early stages with neither team getting much control of the ball. There were early half chances for Paul McMullan and Christie Elliott from range before the first save of the match was made by Cammy Bell in the 12th minute. It was ex-Jags man Callum Booth who had the opportunity after some nice interplay from United got the ball to the full-back in Thistle box. Booth fired a shot high towards Bell’s goal and the ‘stopper threw two hands instinctively at the ball, turning it over the bar.
The resulting corner caused the hosts some serious problems too as Safranko met the ball 10 yards out. The Slovakian international found the target, forcing Bell into a diving save before Craig Slater smashed the ball away from Fraser Fyvie who was trying to knock in the rebound.
Following that, the visitors really should have taken the lead in the 29th minute as Paul McMullan and Fraser Aird had guilt-edged chances to open the scoring. Billy King fed the ball to McMullan who had found acres of space on the United right. He cut past James Penrice before taking aim from 12 yards. His effort looked like it was goal-bound but it rebounded back off the post into the path of Aird who set himself before firing a half-volley well over the crossbar.
There was yet another good opportunity for the travelling Tangerines in the 34th minute as another ex-Thistle man tested Cammy Bell. This time it was Frederic Frans who got on the end of a deep delivery into the box, aiming for the bottom corner. His effort forced a good save from Bell as he scampered across his goal before seeing the ball scrambled clear.
It looked like Thistle were going to escape down the tunnel with the game at 0-0 after a shaky first half but a Fraser Aird goal on the stroke of half time completely changed the half-time team talk. Fraser Fyvie slotted an incisive ball through to midfield partner Sam Stanton who had bombed forward. Stanton then lifted the ball from the by-line back into the danger area, finding Fraser Aird who provided a first-time finish, giving Cammy Bell no chance and his side the lead.
There was one change made at the break for Thistle as Blair Spittal was replaced by Andrew McCarthy who was making his first league appearance of the season as he returned from injury.
The change did little to change the pattern of the game though as United missed a golden opportunity one minute into the second period. Stanton received the ball as he ran into the Thistle box with a one-on-one chance against Cammy Bell. He had two options to his left in King and McMullan but he opted to shoot. Unfortunately for the number 12, he miscued and shot wide of the near post.
Nevertheless, in the 49th minute, Robbie Nielson’s side would double their advantage through Pavol Safranko. It came from Stuart Bannigan taking too long on the ball and being dispossessed. From that, McMullan had a low shot saved by Bell but he could only palm it into the path of Safranko who had a simple finish from five yards.
In the 56th minute, Gerry Britton and Scott Allison made their second change as Jai Quitongo replaced Kris Doolan up front. The Jags’ final change came in the 72nd minute as Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo replaced Miles Storey.
After 20 minutes of hard graft, Quitongo would get his first Thistle goal. In the 77th minute, a forward pass by Chris Erskine saw the frontman battling with Rachid Bouhenna. Jai outmuscled the Algerian, sending the defender to the floor, before rolling the ball through Siegrist’s legs and into the back of the net.
The Jags then spent the following 13 minutes pushing for an equaliser, however, the crucial goal didn’t come and United saw the game out to claim three points. Thistle’s first 50 minutes cost them after the United onslaught saw them into a two-goal lead. Positive contributions from the substitutes made it a close one but the lack of incision in the final third allowed United to see out the game.
Thistle’s next match comes a week today as we travel to the Indodrill Stadium to take on Alloa Athletic. Kick-off is 15:00 as we complete the first round of Championship fixtures.
PARTICK THISTLE TEAM: Bell, Elliott, Keown, McGinty, Penrice, Bannigan, Slater, Erskine, Spittal (McCarthy, HT), Storey (Mutombo, 72’), Doolan (Quitongo, 56’).
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Sneddon, Melbourne, Wilson, Ntambwe.
DUNDEE UNITED TEAM: Siegrist, Watson, Frans, Bouhenna, Booth, Fyvie (Barton, 72’), Stanton, McMullan, Aird (Curran, 77’), King (Clark, 63’), Safranko.
UNUSED SUBS (DNU): Rakovan, Robson, Rabitsch, Loemba.
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.
In a scenario that the man himself could have never foreseen, Gerry Britton was back in the dugout for today’s Ladbrokes Championship fixture against Dundee United. The Chief Executive has had his week split by searching for a new manager and taking training because he and Thistle Weir Youth Academy Director, Scott Allison were the two men taking charge of the Jags as caretaker bosses this weekend. The pair have tried to freshen up the sessions over the past week but unfortunately, they weren’t able to return Thistle to winning ways earlier this afternoon.
The Maryhill men fell to a 2-1 defeat today as United goals on either side of the interval saw the Terrors to victory. Fraser Aird broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time before Pavol Safranko doubled the lead three minutes after the restart.
Jai Quitongo was able to pull one back for the home side as he notched his first goal in the red and yellow but the Jags couldn’t back that up with a second and the game ended 2-1 as Thistle lost their third straight game.
Following the final whistle, interim co-manager, Gerry Britton spoke to ptfc.co.uk to discuss an eventful 90 minutes.
“During that first period of 50 minutes or so, we allowed United to dictate the game which was massively disappointing. They started on the front foot and had a few good chances. It would have been great to get into the break at 0-0 but then we get that sucker punch.
“We improved as the second half went on and I thought the substitutes did brilliantly. McCarthy added some fight in the middle of the park and he got forward well too but Jai Quitongo was the real spark. He brought a bit of attacking intent which I felt we’d missed in the first half.”
Britton commended the substitute, Quitongo, as the number 33 grabbed his first goal for the Club since joining on transfer deadline day this summer.
“It was a great finish for his goal and Jai’s a quality finisher so I was glad he got a chance. When he came on he showed desire and enthusiasm and that helped to lift the team.
“He didn’t give their defenders a minute’s peace the whole time he was on the pitch and that’s exactly what we were looking for from him.”
Gerry hopes that whoever the new manager is will be encouraged by what the Jags showed in the final half hour of the match.
“Obviously the first half wasn’t up to scratch but we really upped it in the last 30 minutes. Hopefully, whoever comes in will look back at this game and takes the positives out of it.
“We showed the required work ethic in the latter stages and we have a core of good footballers. The new manager needs to help them find a more consistent level of performance but there’s certainly plenty there for the new boss to work with.”
With the Club currently undertaking a change, we want to keep all Thistle supporters up to date. That’s why, for this weekend’s match against Dundee United, all preview and reaction videos will be free to view for every Jags fan.
Watch the preview interviews with Andrew McCarthy, Jai Quitongo and Scott Allison free to view.
Jagzone subscribers will also be able to watch extended highlights of the game.
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.
Sat 13 October, 2018
SPFL Ladbrokes Championship 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
A Quitongo goal with 14 minutes left sparked a spirited comeback from Thistle that fell just short.
In truth though it was a deserved win for United who scored either side of half-time and looked well in control at 2-0 up until Quitongo sparked life into Thistle at the end of a difficult week.
Time running out as the referee spots an infringement at the edge of the United box giving the visitors more breathing space.
Offside against Quitongo and the pressure eases on United.
Penrice's corner is deep but Mutombo lifts the ball back into the box. Erskine gathers and his shot is blocked by a defender.
It's a poor free kick from Penrice and United clear.
Thistle have a rree kick in a wide area but with a chance to get the ball into the United box.
Quitongo can't get enougfh os his head to a cross from the left which means an easy save for Siegrist.
Penrice has to thump a Booth cross to safety.
Booth twice clears crosses into the United box.
Siegrist has a far too easy catch from Penrice's corner.
There might be some life in this game after all. Quitongo has the pace and strength to get away from Bouhenna and he buries a low shot past Siegrist.
Mutombo's free kick is far too deep and goes out for a throw on the far side.
Quitongo is fouled close to the bye line just in fromn the left hand side corner flag.
A Frans header from a free kick deep inside the Thistle half goes well wide of target.
McCarthy puts over a cross from the right and Storey nods the ball wide. Best spell in the game from Thistle.
A fantastic low cross from Elliott is missed by everyone.
Penrice floats the free kick in but Booth heads clear.
Quitongo is fouled near the left corner of the United box giving Thistle a free kick in a dangerous position.
United shout for a penalty when a McMullan cross strikes McGinty but play goes on.
Doolan looks as if he might have the feet taken from him as he tries to get on the end of a McGinty knock down but the flag goes up for offside any way.
There is not enough bend in a McMullan shot which means an easy save for Bell.
It's a second goal for United and it is something of a gift. Bannigan is robbed of the the ball and Mcmullan has a great chance to score. His effort is saved by Bell but he can only push the ball into the path os Safranko who is left with the easiest of chances.
Doolan flicks the ball to McCarthy and Siegrist needs to be shartp off his line to deny McCarthy a scoring opportunity.
United should double their lead immediately upon the restart but Stanton chips an effort wide when he should really score.
Thistle make a half-time change.
United hold a deserved lead at the break with Aird firing home a Stanton cross with half-time fast approaching.
Thistle have offered little as an attacking threat and have been forced onto the back foot for the majority of the opening 45 minutes.
Spittal takes the free kick and in the lact action of the half the ball is headed clear.
Doolan is fouled and Thistle have a free kick on the left hand side of the pitch.
Just when it looked as if Thistle might get to half-time level United take the lead. Stanton gets clear on the right and lifts a cross from the bye line that Aird fires home.
Slater and Erskine work a short corner. When Slater does cross Siegrist punches clear.
Thistle try to break quickly from the corner and Styorey looks to be fouled as he tries to get clear near the halfway line. Spittal does eventually manage a shot but it is high and wide.
Keown gets a good head to Aird's corner.
Aird's free kick thumps against the wall but Thistle are doing little more than hanging on right now.
United are given a free kick about 30 yards from the Thistle goal but in a central position.
Frans has a free header from the corner and Bell does well to turn the ball round the post.
Safranko heads a McMullan cross into the net but United celebrations are cut short by a raised flag and an offside decision.
Thistle receive a massive let off. McMullan looks certain to score but his shot hits the base of the post. The rebound breaks to Aird who sends his shot high over the crossbar.
Safranko gets the better of a tussle for the ball with Bannigan and with Bell looking beaten curls a shot just wide.
Slater isn't so lucky as he is late with a challenge.
McGinty is a little lucky to escape a yellow card as he dives into aa challenge near the halfway line.
McGinty clears Watson's cross as United threaten down the right hand side.
Erskine and Slater combine well as Thistle try and open up the United defence but Slater's cross is far too deep.
McGinty makes a half clearance before Elliott finally gets the ball clear as a dangerous all comes into the Thistle box. It is United in firm control at the moment.
United nearly take the lead from the corner that follows as the ball bounces about close to the goal line until Bell saves.
Nearest to a goal yet as Bell touches a Booth effort over the bar.
Storey is able to collect Slater's cross. He in turn knocks the ball back to Elliott who drags a shot wide of goal from the edge of the box.
Another wee opportunity for United as King gets away from Penrice but his cross is too deep.
McMullan's low drive from outside the box forces Bell into a fairly comfortable saave near his right hand post.
Good spell of possession from United and Penrice needs to be sharp to clear the ball ahead of Aird.
First effort of the game comes from United but McMullan's effort is well wide of Bell's right hand post.
Thistle are quickly into the attack and Siegrist has to gather a Storey cross at his near post.
After a tough week for the Club it's a welcome return to action at The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill with the visit of Dundee United.
Although there has been changes in the technical area there is just the one change on the pitch this afternoon with Cammy Bell coming back into the side in goal replacing Jamie Sneddon.
Despite the heavy rain that has fallen on Glasgow since very early morning the playing surface looks in magnificent condition and all is set for a game the outcome of which could see Thistle climb into 4th position in the league table.