Match Preview
St Johnstone visit Firhill tomorrow as Thistle, after losing for the first time this season at Queen of the South, aim to get back to winning ways.
Despite defeat at Queen of the South manager Ian McCall was in anything but a despondent mood.
“I thought that we played well against Queen of the South and deserved to take at least a point from the game. Although we lost I felt that there were actually more positives to take from the game than there had been from the two previous league games which we both won. I’ll be looking for a repeat of the form shown against Queen of the South when St Johnstone visit Firhill except with a better result.”
Ahead of tomorrow’s game Ian was able to provide www.ptfc.co.uk with the latest team news.
“Alan Archibald and Liam Buchanan remain on the injured list and they are joined by David Rowson who picked up an injury against Queen of the South. We look set to be without David for a number of weeks and that is a big blow to us as he is an important player.”
Earlier in the week the manager took time out to praise the Thistle fans and he took the opportunity to do so again.
“We’ve been given fantastic support so far this season and that is something that we all really appreciate. I would urge as many Thistle fans as possible to get along to Firhill tomorrow as we aim to get back on the winning trail.”
Collecting three points won’t be easy as St Johnstone are rightly considered one of the promotion favourites. They have, however, had a mixed start to the season. Knocked out the Challenge Cup on the opening day of the season by Ross County they have won one, drawn one and lost one of their first three league games. A 2-0 home win against Livingston was followed by a 2-2 draw at Morton where St Johnstone had twice led. Last week St Johnstone lost at home to Dunfermline by three goals to nil and like Thistle will be keen to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
They were able to add to their squad during the week when they snapped up 21 year old former Cardiff City and MK Dons midfielder Nick McKoy. Steven Anderson and Stuart McCaffrey came through a close doors game during the week and they come back in contention for tomorrow’s game as does ex Jag Martin Hardie who returned to full training during the week. On the down side Kevin James will miss out after undergoing minor surgery on a knee injury.
