Sunday 8th March, 2020 at 5:27pm
In football you have to be adaptable and the adaptability of Thistle midfielder Shea Gordon was tested to the max at the weekend as he lined up at right wing-back against Championship leaders, Dundee United, at Tannadice. The Northern Irishman played 80 minutes in the unfamiliar role, going one-on-one with Peter Pawlett and Louis Appere at different points of the game, standing up to the challenge well as Thistle drew 1-1 with the Tangerines. Gordon spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the end of the game:
“I think we’re a bit disappointed it’s only one point because of the chances we had in the game but at the same time it’s a very tough place to come to and getting a point is positive. Overall, I think we have to look at it as a good result.”
The Jags started quickly and could have scored twice through Brian Graham and Tam O’Ware before United took the lead and Shea says that was the team’s intention.
“The plan was to get after them and get on top of them at the start of the game. We’ve not been in good form but they’ve not being doing as well recently either so we didn’t go into it with any fear and we wanted to impose our game on them as much as we could.”
With seven games in March, it is set to be a crucial month for the Jags and Gordon feels the two draws Thistle have had this week gives them a platform to go off for the upcoming fixtures in the Championship.
“We can feel positive after these two games but we need to be getting wins. On Tuesday night, we really felt we should have won and then today I think we’re a bit more content with the draw but with two big home games coming up this week, we need to be getting wins on the board.”
Right wing-back isn’t Shea’s natural position but he says he does have a little experience there which helped him out.
“I felt like I did alright. I’ve played there before for my national team and although I don’t feel as comfortable there as I do in the middle I feel like I can do a job. In the end, you’ve just got to do whatever you can for the team and that meant playing out of position today.”
Dunfermline offer the next challenge for Thistle as the Pars come to Maryhill and Gordon is looking forward to another tough midweek game.
“As I said, these two home games we have are going to be big and I feel like the boys are building a bit of confidence so we’re in a good place. We really need that win though, I think that would be a huge boost for us and after recovering from the United game, we’ll be ready to go for Tuesday.”
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