Saturday 30th April, 2016 at 3:33pm
A very disappointing afternoon at Firhill saw Thistle fall to a 4-1 defeat to an Inverness side that looked hungrier for most of the 90 minutes.
Alan Archibald took time to speak to ptfc.co.uk after full time and it was clear that he was very disappointed with his side’s performance.
Archibald said: “I thought we started the game pretty well and the first half as a whole was quite even. Having said that thefirst goal was a terrible one to lose from a defensive point of view and we really need to be doing better in that situation.”
Although it was only 1-0 at half time, Inverness fans didn’t have to wait long after the break with the visitors’ second goal coming just over 30 seconds after the start of the half.
“The second half was not acceptable in any way shape or form. We asked for a reaction at half time and we didn’t get it. When we’ve had maybe a bit of a lacklustre half in the past we’ve often had a reaction from the boys in a good way but we certainly didn’t get that today.
“All the things we’ve done well this season we didn’t do today. Everything that we have built a bit of success on this season went totally out the window in that second half. I honestly don’t think we have defended as poorly as that in about a year and a half.”
Although few of the players wearing red and yellow will look back on today’s game with much fondness the Jags keeper, Ryan Scully, did well to keep it to four.
Archie said: “I felt sorry for Ryan today to be honest. I know it sounds odd when you say it because we lost four goals but if hehadn’t made some of the saves that he did then it could have been a lot more.
”With Kilmarnock winning comfortably against Hamilton at New Douglas Park, next week’s match against the Ayrshire side now takes on new significance for the Jags.
“We’re still in a great position to keep ourselves well clear but we should be spending this time focussing on moving up the table. Any pressure we now feel is completely self-inflicted and we need to make sure we are much, much better next week.
“We’ll get back on the training pitch this week and put theresult behind us. We need to focus on the remaining games and aim to take maximum points so we can finish the season on a positive note.”
