Saturday 26th September, 2015 at 2:13pm
In the week since Thistle travelled back pointless from Dingwall, manager Alan Archibald has been able to add a new player to his squad and Alan was delighted to secure him when he spoke to ptfc.co.uk earlier today.
“Ryan’s got a good pedigree. He’s been training with us for last week or so and looked good. He can play in behind the striker and in any of the attacking roles. He doesn’t turn 22 until November so has lots of energy and we’ll hope he can get beyond the striker and link up. We’re just waiting for International clearance to see if he can take part tomorrow.
Being bottom of the table isn’t where any Thistle player or fan wants to be, but spirits are high in the camp.
“The spirits were down on Monday. We watched the game again and saw where we can improve. As the week has went on we have trained well and the confidence has come back. Nobody likes to be bottom of the league and this weekend gives us an opportunity to get back in amongst the pack”
Alan’s former team-mate will be in the opposing dugout following a week of turmoil for Motherwell making them dangerous opponents.
“Motherwell are slightly unknown. Stephen Craigan will take charge and will bring his own ideas to the job. We need to concentrate on ourselves, and keep making chances in front of goal. We haven’t done too much wrong, it’s just finishing the chances off which is severely lacking. The longer a game is goalless, and we’ve missed a couple of opportunities, the defence gets nervy and the opposition will always have a chance in the game.
“We’ve been starting games well, battering teams at points but we just haven’t taken the chances. Last year we had lots of midfielders popping up with goals, rather than one player netting 20 goals. We’re missing those goals so far, but it’s all about continuing to create chances and having a wee bit of luck in front of goal.”
It’s a case of same again for Alan when it comes to picking his matchday squad.
“Christie Elliott and Gary Fraser are still out. Liam Lindsay has recovered from the illness which saw him drop out last Saturday. Pogba isn’t too far away, he’s been training all week and we’ll give him every chance.”
