Monday 9th July, 2018 at 3:54pm
James Penrice enjoyed being out in front of the supporters after Thistle completed their only open door pre season fixture, away against Hearts in Cowdenbeath.
The left back had featured in a number of closed door games but he enjoyed being back out in front of the fans.
Speaking to ptfc.co.uk after the match he said: “It was good to get back out there again in front of the fans. We’ve played a few closed door games but it’s always better in a stadium in front of the fans. Especially after the way last season ended, it was good to start to look forward to a fresh season and look ahead”
Despite a 3-1 defeat, James knows these matches are always about a lot more than the final scoreline.
“These game are always about getting the fitness up, getting the match sharpness up and getting yourself ready.
“Hearts are a good team and we can take a lot of positives from the game. We lost the game but I feel we can take a lot from the game. I thought we done well and there is a lot to be pleased with.
“We know there are things we need to work on and we will go away and do that in training ahead of the competitive action starting next week.”
Penrice has enjoyed getting game time with his new team mates, Penrice was the only member of the back four playing that was at the club last season and he is hoping to cement his place in it going forward.
“There’s been a big turn over of players so everyone is getting to know each other’s games, we’ve got two new centre backs and they have fitted in well, it was good to get out and play ninety minutes with them today.
“I have to take advantage of starting the season as first choice on the left, we are short in that area just now but I can’t be complacent, I have to make sure I perform to the best that I can and put everything into making that position my own no matter who else comes into the squad.”
Penrice knows the aim is clear for the season, to win promotion back to the Premiership.
“We’ve got a chance this season to get ourselves back up and win promotion. We have to make sure we do that as a team, we can’t do it if only half the team perform. We all have to be on it and we all believe we can. We are confident we can do it.
“We all want to get the club back to where it belongs, we feel we can beat anyone and it’s all about now going out and doing it on the pitch.
“We know it’s a tough league but we know what we can achieve this season.”
Competitive football returns next Saturday at Ochilview. Thistle begin the 2018/19 season with a trip to take on Stenhousemuir and kick-off is 15:00.
More reaction from Sean McGinty and Craig Slater as well as Jags gaffer Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers. Log in now to see it.
Jagzone subscribers can rewatch the full game or enjoy extended highlights of the pre-season friendly.
For a full list of all the great content you can access from just £5.99 per month as a Jagzone member, click here.
James will be here for the next big moment – will you? 2018/19 season tickets are on sale now – buy yours here.
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.
