Match Preview
With the season moving into the month of March and with just, for Thistle, ten games remaining things are shaping up for a very interesting conclusion to the season. To be entering March in second spot in the league just three points behind league leaders St Johnstone is well beyond the expectations of many at the season's start. Yet, that's the position that we find ourselves in.
Tomorrow our old rivals Clyde provide the not inconsiderable opposition and manager Ian McCall, as always, was able to provide www.ptfc.co.uk with the latest team news ahead of tomorrow's fixture.
"We are approaching a key stage in the season with the game with Clyde the first of three games in a week. Once we have completed those three games we will have a much better idea of whether we have a right good chance of winning promotion or not this season. I think that if we can get to the last half dozen or so games and still be in touch with the league leaders then I think that we would have a right good chance of going up. Which considering that I really only have 17 players considered as genuine first team players would be quite an achievement."
"I will really need to have each and every one of those players available to me if we are to have a chance of going up this season. Thistle supporters will not need reminding that Liam Buchanan is presently less than a 100% fit. I rate Liam as just about the best goal getter in the First Division and any team would want that quality of player available. Three games in a week might though be too much for Liam. At present I would have to rate Liam as doubtful for the game with Clyde but hopefully he should be okay for Tuesday's game at Ross County."
"I've said before that we really need to nurse Liam along. If we need to limit him to 60 or 70 minutes every other game then that's what we will need to do. The contribution that he has made while short of full fitness has been nothing less than outstanding. He will probably need a wee tidy up during the summer but I'm keen to play down the significance of that. It's nothing like his previous injury. We could have him go under the knife right now but we would prefer to postpone that while we remain challenging at the top."
"Elsewhere, John Robertson hasn't, as yet, trained this week but Willie Kinniburgh will be able to play if required. Otherwise everyone should be fit and available."
"Tomorrow's game is a huge game for us. I'm not hoping for a big turn out of Thistle fans this afternoon, I expect it. I feel that my players really deserve a big support on Saturday."
"I had Clyde watched in their game on Tuesday and we know we face a tough challenge. They are a strong, energetic side but it is important that we concentrate on our own game and don't focus on them too closely."
Clyde meantime will miss former Thistle player Billy Gibson who is suspended after being sent off during the course of Clyde's 4-2 defeat at the hands of Morton on Tuesday night. Top scorer Pat Clarke, who has scored three times against Thistle this season, is available as his two game suspension doesn't kick in until after Saturday.
Match Details
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Saturday March 7th 2008
Partick Thistle v Clyde
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Prices
Adults: £15
OAPs/Students:16-21 £10
Under 16s: FREE
Programme: £2.50
First Division's Other Fixtures
Airdrie United v Livingston
Queen of the South v Morton
St Johnstone v Ross County
Match Officials
Referee: Mike Tumilty
Assistant Referees: Mark Doyle and Paul Reid
