Saturday 28th February, 2015 at 10:18am
With Thistle on a bad run Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk knowing his team must improve but at the same time keen that the Jags’ poor form not be exaggerated.
“Yes it probably is the worst run we’ve had this season but we have had a lot of games in a short spell and I think that amplifies it a bit. I think most of the other teams in the bottom six have also been through a run like this and we just haven’t had ours yet, we always picked up a win or a draw to break things up. Having said that it is a bad run and nobody at the club is hiding from that.”
While Thistle still remain seven points clear of the bottom three teams Archibald, and his squad, know how easy it would be to get dragged in.
“It is a concern and all it takes is a couple of poor results and you can so easily get dragged right into it. At the same time it works the other way too, a couple of wins and we can look to put together a strong finish to the season.”
Dundee United have dropped points in recent weeks but Archie knows how good they are and won’t be underestimating them ahead of Saturday’s match.
“They’re in a national cup final and have a quarter final coming up in a week so I wouldn’t say they’re struggling! I know they have dropped points but they are still a good good side with a lot of quality. It’ll be a tough test for us but one we are more than capable of rising to.”
The thistle boss does have a few injury problems to contend with though which could cause a selection headache on Saturday.
“Yes, we do have a few knocks. Bannigan is struggling with a knock, as are Dan Seaborne and Christie Elliott. Sean Welsh is still out with the ankle injury he picked up against Hamilton.”
