Sat 7 April, 2018
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
The Energy Check Stadium at FirhillSPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 7 April, 2018. Kick Off: - 15:00
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Fixture details:
Tickets on sale: Monday 19th March
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Adults £22
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On Tuesday night, Partick Thistle travelled north and were dismantled by relegation rivals, Ross County as the Staggies defeated the Jags 4-0. The game was a huge disappointment for everyone involved on the Thistle side of things as it left the side bottom of the table on goal difference. Nevertheless, there is no time to dwell for the Maryhill men as they welcome Kilmarnock to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill tomorrow afternoon. The team need to react with six huge games coming now between now and the season’s conclusion. Jags boss, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the vital clash.
Archie started by reflecting on a bitterly dispiriting ninety minutes in Dingwall.
“It was dreadful. It was probably one of the lowest points in my career as a manager because there was so much riding on the game and everyone knows how good it feels to come out the other end of those sorts of games with a positive result but we were left in the opposite mood. The lads know that they weren’t good enough and I know that I need to make changes because we still haven’t found that winning formula.”
The gaffer is just glad that he can get the boys back out onto the pitch because there’s only one way to fix what happened earlier this week and that’s to go out and perform against Killie tomorrow.
“It’s a good thing to have another game straight away. We wouldn’t want to be stewing over that result for a week. We want to get a reaction from the players and that’s easier when the disappointment of the midweek game is still fresh in their minds. The boys want to put things right and hopefully they can channel that into a performance.”
Although Alan admits that confidence is low in the dressing room at the moment, he feels that one result could completely flip that on its head as the Jags move towards their split fixtures.
“That’s always the case for a team in poor form. You can’t understate the importance of a single win. Even a goal for us would boost the confidence in the team hugely. Both teams were looking for that on Tuesday and County got it. Now, they might go on a run of their own but we need to focus on ourselves. Dingwall is in the past and we have to try to find our result.”
The Jags manager ended by giving us an update on the squad heading into the game tomorrow.
“It’s much the same in terms of who is available. Daniel Devine comes back into contention after his suspension.”
The meeting with Kilmarnock tomorrow has suddenly become a massive one for Alan Archibald and his team and it will be a tough test against a resurgent Kilmarnock side. Kick-off is 15:00 from the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.
More exclusive preview interviews with Callum Booth, Kris Doolan 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.
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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.
Having dropped to the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership on Tuesday with a heavy defeat at Dingwall against Ross County, Partick Thistle returned to league action by welcoming Kilmarnock to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill. The Jags and their visitors came into the clash in contrasting form. Thistle came into the game on a nine game winless run, meanwhile their opponents were in the midst of nine game unbeaten league streak.
There were five personnel changes made to the team that lost at County as well as a formation alteration. The Jags went from a five-at-the-back to a four man defence with Ryan Scully still deputising for the injured Tomas Cerny in goals. The back four was made up of Christie Elliott, Niall Keown, Baily Cargill and the returning Callum Booth with Abdul Osman and Andrew McCarthy sitting ahead of them. McCarthy came back into the side for a third start in five games, replacing Martin Woods who picked up an injury in Tuesday’s defeat. The attack looked very different today with three changes made in behind the lone striker, Conor Sammon. Ryan Edwards, Miles Storey and Adam Barton all dropped to the bench, being replaced by Steven Lawless, Chris Erskine and Blair Spittal.
The game started slowly with both sides having periods of possession without creating anything serious although Kris Boyd did go close on 19 minutes. A long diagonal ball was lifted into the Jags box from deep, aimed at the veteran striker, Boyd. The former Rangers man leapt higher than the backpedalling Niall Keown and tried to flick a header towards goal but the Ladbrokes Premiership’s top goalscorer failed to hit the target as his effort ended up a couple of yards over the bar.
The visitors had another great chance to take the lead as Youssef Mulumbu played Jordan Jones through in the 26th minute. Jones made a terrific run in behind Thistle’s rear-guard and had a chance to take Ryan Scully on one-on-one. Fortunately for the hosts, the goalkeeper came out on top smothering the ball as Jones attempted to nip past him but it then fell to Kris Boyd. Boyd took a touch and shot but Christie Elliott was back to clear the attempt in Scully’s absence.
Although the game had been fairly even overall, Killie had created the better chances in the first half and finally took advantage in the 35th minute. After Abdul Osman fouled Lee Erwin in the Thistle half the set piece was taken quickly to Jordan Jones who was in space on the Kilmarnock left. He then delivered a great ball into the box finding the head of Stuart Findlay who powered home a header on the run. The goal all came from a momentary lapse in Thistle concentration but the away side took full advantage of the situation.
The teams went into the break with Killie a goal ahead and although there was a better performance present for the hosts, the cutting edge was still lacking. If the Maryhill men were to get anything from the game they would need to start carving out chances during the final 45 minutes.
The Jags did come out for the second period with more attacking fluency and created a couple of opportunities early on. Firstly, six minutes after the restart, Chris Erskine rifled a shot goalward from 25 yards which Jamie MacDonald failed to catch. The ball then fell to Conor Sammon who tried a first time shot but an excellent sliding tackle by a Kilmarnock defender stopped the effort from reaching its target.
Then, a minute later, Erskine and Sammon were once again involved as the Jags went close. Chris Erskine slotted a perfectly weighted ball through to the Irishman who then had the job of firing past Jamie MacDonald. The Killie ‘keeper was out quickly and was able to make the save having left Sammon with little to aim at.
The Jags had one final chance of note as they pushed for an equalising goal and it fell in the 77th minute. A deep cross from Callum Booth was punched unconvincingly by MacDonald in the Kilmarnock goal and the ball came to Christie Elliott. The full-back tried to get a shot away but snatched at it and fired across the box. It could have ended up being a good cross had someone been there to capitalise but no one was and the ball skipped away from danger.
As such, the game ended 1-0 to the visiting Killie who extended their unbeaten league run to ten games while Thistle reached double figures in games without a win. It had been a much more positive showing than the previous outing at Dingwall and the side had created much more in 90 minutes than they had in a number games.
The Jags now have a fortnight to prepare for five crucial split games during which they must pick up some points if they are to escape their current predicament. The fixtures are to be confirmed and more information will be available on ptfc.co.uk in the coming days.
THISTLE TEAM: Scully, Elliott, Keown, Cargill, Booth, McCarthy, Osman (Barton, 82’), Lawless, Erskine, Spittal (Storey, 73’), Sammon (Doolan, 66’).
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Sneddon, Dumbuya, McGinn, Edwards.
KILMARNOCK TEAM: MacDonald, O’Donnell, Broadfoot, Findlay, Taylor, Dicker, Mulumbu (Brophy, 73’), Power, Jones, Erwin (McKenzie, 57’), K. Boyd (Tshibola, 79’).
UNUSED SUBS (KIL): Fasan, S. Boyd, Burke, Kiltie.
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.
After a dispiriting 4-0 defeat to relegation rivals Ross County during the week, Partick Thistle looked to bounce back as they took on Kilmarnock at home this afternoon. The Jags did show an improvement in performance but, unfortunately for the Jags, the result was the same. Killie opened the scoring in the 35th minute as Stuart Findlay nodded home a Jordan Jones cross and that proved to be enough to see the Ayrshire outfit to victory as they secured the three points leaving Thistle still in bottom spot of the Ladbrokes Premiership. Thistle boss, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the game.
The gaffer began by praising the improved performance of his side who showed more this afternoon against a strong Killie side than they did at Dingwall on Tuesday.
“The performance was much better today but it wouldn’t have taken much to have been an improvement. We started very brightly but Kilmarnock came back into it around 20 minutes in as you’d expect considering the form they’re in. Falling behind was disappointing but we came out for the second half and played some good stuff and probably should have grabbed a goal. There was a desire there which I wanted to see from the lads and we can hopefully take that into the split.”
Archie told us that although he enjoyed parts of the showing, he was very frustrated with the simplicity of the goal Thistle conceded as they were dismantled by a quick free-kick.
“Of course that was infuriating. Our guys were focussed on setting up for the free-kick coming into the box and Jordan Jones just moves over very intelligently and no one notices. You’d like to think that someone would notice that and cover it but nobody did and we were punished for it. When goals like those are the difference between a draw and a defeat, it is even more annoying.”
With his side failing to score for a fifth consecutive game, Alan also discussed Thistle’s struggles in front of goal in recent weeks.
“It’s something that we’re desperate to set right. A stat like that can weigh on the lads and affect their confidence but I definitely saw improvement today. At the start of the second half we looked like we were going to get one but a few good blocks and saves stopped us. Ultimately, we need to stop conceding and start scoring if we’re going to get the points on the board.”
With the manager making more changes to formation and personnel today as has been the case a few times over recent weeks, Archie feels that he is a step closer to finding the right team to go with for the rest of the season.
“There are always going to be changes with injuries and suspensions but I felt we needed a substantial shake-up after Tuesday and there were things that works and things that didn’t. All the boys who came back in gave it everything and that’s all I can ask of them. It’s clear to me that there is still fight in the side which we’ll need for the last five games.”
It’s now two weeks until the split kicks off for Alan and the Jags squad with the first game of the league separation coming in a fortnight against an opponent who is to be confirmed. There will be more information on ptfc.co.uk in the coming days.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Chris Erskine and Andrew McCarthy. 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.
It's a brave showing from Thistle in the second half but it isn't enough to rescue a points as Thistle's relegation worries deepen.
Doolan heads a Storey cross towards goal but MacDonald gathers,
Minimum of 3 minutes additional time to be played.
It looks as if MacDonald may have handled a long ball just outside his box. Referee Duncan thinks otherwise though and play continues.
A Dicker free kick is headed across goal with Tshibola close to connecting at the back post.
Cargill is on the end of Storey's corner but he is under pressure and can't direct his header goalwards
Erskine nearly threads through a pass to McCarthy who is lurking inside the Killie box.
Booth takes the free kick. It's cleared although Thistle retain possession of the ball until Lawless sees his cross from the left drift harmlessly out of play.
Thistle have a free kick deep inside the Killie half.
Man of the Match: Andrew McCarthy
MacDonald can't cleanly claim a high ball into his penalty area. The ball falls to Elliott but his can only drill the ball across the box.
Brophy's long range effort flies well wide of goal.
A simple ball into the Thistle box drops to Mulumbu and it takes an excellent block from Cargill to deny him.
McCarthy sends in a cross to the box that is just out of the reach of Doolan.
Thistle don't look convincing when the corner comes over but the referee spots a foul.
Scully claws away the free kick but at the expense of a corner kick on the other side.
Cargill is the game's first booking as he hauls a Killie player to the ground as he attempts to cut inside into the Thistle box. Kilmarnock free kick.
Booth lifts the ball towards Sammon at the back post but it is headed behind for a corner.
Erskine threatens again but his shot is blocked.
It’s a good corner from Spittal. It’s flicked on but Osman at a stretch can’t cknnect at the back post.
Thistle close again. Erskine plays a good ball through to Sammon but MacDonald makes an excellent block to deny the Thistle striker.
Some hope for Thistle. Erskine shoots and although MacDonald saves he can;t hold the ball. Sammon is onto the rebound but his effort is blocked.
Spittal takes the free kick and although Sammon is on the end of it he can only head the ball into the air away from the Killie goal.
Elliott is fouled and Thistle have a free kick on the right hand side.
Kilmarnock have a narrow half-time lead that they deserve.
The goal arrived 10 minutes from the break and was the rwesult of yet another defensive error with Thistle conceeding a cheap throw in and the allowing Findlay a free header inside the box.
At the other end Thistle have managed just one shot at goal, a Spittal free kick from 30 yards that produced a comfortable save from MacDonald in the Kilmarnock goal.
There is a huge 45 minutes ahead for Thistle who could find themselves in even deeper trouble come full-time.
Thistle have a free kick about 30 yards from goal. Spittal takes it and gets it on target but it is straight at MacDonald who clutches the ball from underneath his crossbar.
Far too easy as Findlay has a free header inside the Thistle box that he buries into the back of the net.
Thistle have another free kick is a potentially dangerous position, this time on the left. Spittal curls it in again towards the back post. Thistle manage to get the ball back across goal where Sammon virtually on the bye line keeps the ball in but the ball drops over the bar.
Spittal aims the free kick towards the back post. Killie clear but Osman picks the ball up and finds McCarthy but the ball is cleared for a throw.
Sammon is fouled and Thistle have an opportunity to deliver a ball into the Killie box.
Erskine's pass for Spittal is a little over hit but Killie are still forced into a hurried clearance.
Kilmarnock's latest corner comes to nothing.
Killie are close to opening the scoring. Taylor is is clean through but is denied by Scully who comes off his li ne to block at the edge of the box. The loose ball falls to Boyd and his effort is cleared from the line by Keown for a corner.
Sammon hasn't been overly ivolved so far but he uses his strength to try and force his way through to goal but he is adjudged to have been overly physical in doing so.
Kilmarnock are starting to get on top and Boyd uses his strength to get on the end of a cross field pass and his header just droops over the batr.
Keown this time heads the corner clear but Kilmarnock remain on the attack.
Elliott makes an important challenge to halt the progress down the left of Jones.
Osman heads the corner clear.
First chance of the game and it falls the way of Kilmarnock and Boyd who finds him in space just outside the Thistle box. His shot is poor though and Scully isn't pressed into any serious action.
Both sides have tried to impose themselves on the game in the early stages and it has been fast and furious without any chances at either end.
There is no denying the significance of this afternoon's fixture with Kilmarnock. Bottom of the league isn't a nice place to find yourselves at any time. With just 6 games of the season remaining it's worrying in the extreme.
with the aim of climbing off the foot of the league as quickly as possible Alan Archibald has made no fewer than 5 changes to the side that started against Ross County in midweek.
Coming into the starting eleven are Callum Booth, Blair Spittal, Chris Erskine, Stevie Lawless and Andrew McCarthy.
Adam Barton, Paul McGinn, Ryan Edwards and Miles Storey drop to the bench while Martin Woods misses out completely this afternoon.