Match Preview
There is no escaping the fact that Saturday's performance against Ross County was a hugely disappointing one and no way to round off the year at Firhill. Tomorrow night, however, Thistle are provided with the perfect opportunity to atone for Saturday's disappointment when we travel to face Morton in a re-arranged fixture. When manager Ian McCall spoke to www.ptfc.co.uk earlier today he was clearly relishing the opportunity to try and put things right against Morton.
"It's good to get back into action so soon after a bad result. I can't put my finger on what went wrong against Ross County at the weekend. Previously our home record had been outstanding and I can't fault the players for their attitude on Saturday. It was just one of those bad days you get in football from time to time. The whole stadium seemed flat right from the outset and we just couldn't get going. Any chance of us staging a late rally at the finish to try and get even a point back went when Marc Twaddle was sent off. I think that Marc's frustration just got the better of him."
"If we want to get back involved in things at the top end of the table then we need to start to put together another good run and sustain it for some time. Prior to Saturday's game we had been on a good run and I know that my players are capable of doing just that. I know we were poor against Ross County but that was one game and as poor as we were I don't believe that makes us a poor side."
Selection wise Ian has virtually a full squad to select from though he clearly could have done without Marc Twaddle's suspension.
"Marc Twaddle is obviously suspended following his red card on Saturday but aside from Marc I will have a full squad to select from with the exception of Ian Maxwell and Damon Gray. Although he was on the bench on Saturday Willie Kinniburgh was suffering from an illness but he has got over that now."
"I'm pleased to say that Ian Maxwell is making progress and we may have him back for Saturday. It would be great to have Ian available for the Clyde game as we are really asking far too much of Alan Archibald so soon after a long lay off. It's a little more frustrating with regard to Damon Gray. His injury just isn't clearing up although he is back running again at Hibs. With Damon due back at Hibs on January 19th time is running out for him a little here at Firhill but it would be nice to have him available, especially for the cup-tie with Inverness, before he is due to go back to Easter Road."
With the year drawing towards a conclusion naturally thoughts are starting to turn towards the January transfer window. Already speculation is mounting that there will be some departures from the home dressing room at Firhill. While it is impossible to provide any definitive news on that front at present it does appear that the manager is anticipating some changes.
"Including the loan signings we could be looking at as many as 3 or 4 players moving during January. If 3 or 4 move I wouldn't be too unhappy if at the same time I could bring in one or two new players provided they were the right kind of players and in the right areas of the park."
"I don't think we struggle too much in terms of creating chances but we do struggle to score goals. We are far too reliant on Liam Buchanan, Stephen McKeown and Gary Harkins to score our goals. Ideally we could use a striker with a physical presence but without doubt we need a striker a little different from what we already have."
Morton with be without goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert tomorrow. Cuthbert was sent off during the course of his team's fixture with Airdrie United at the weekend and his place in the team tomorrow, as it was on Saturday, will be taken by former Thistle keeper Colin Stewart.
With cold weather forecast overnight www.ptfc.co.uk will bring immediate news of any pitch inspection tomorrow. Word from Morton earlier today thoug h was encouraging. The Cappielow pitch was reported as being fine with covers due to go onto the pitch mid-afternoon to provide further protection.
Thistle Stats
Current Form - Last Five Games
W D L F A
2 1 2 5 6
Scorers Season 2008/2009
Gary Harkins 7
Stephen McKeown 7
Damon Gray 4
Ian Maxwell 4
Liam Buchanan 3
Scott Chaplain 3
Simon Donnelly 1
Kevin McKinlay 1
Paul Paton 1
Mark Roberts 1
John Robertson 1
Chris Turner 1
Marc Twaddle 1
Own Goals 1
Last Game
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Partick Thistle 0, Ross County 2
Morton Stats
Current Form - Last Five Games
W D L F A
2 0 3 5 5
Scorers Season 2008/2009
Ryan McGuffie 6
Brian Wake 6
Steven Masterton 4
Iain Russell 4
Peter Weatherson 4
Erik Paartalu 3
Allan Jenkins 2
James Grady 1
Stewart Greacen 1
Ryan Harding 1
Jon Newby 1
Last Game
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Airdrie United 1, Morton 0
Last Meeting
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Saturday September 20th 2008
Partick Thistle 2, Morton 1
Teams
Thistle: Tuffey, Robertson, Twaddle, Storey, Kinniburgh, Maxwell, McKeown, Rowson, Gray (Donnelly), Roberts (McKinlay), Harkins (Chaplain).
Morton: Cuthbert, Walker (Jenkins), Smith, Shimmin, Paartalu (Weatherson), Harding, Finlayson (Masterton), McGuffie, Wake, Russell, McAlister.
Scorers
Thistle: Harkins (37), Maxwell (66)
Morton: Russell (44)
Crowd: 3,368
Match Details
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Morton v Partick Thistle
Kick-off: 7:30pm
Prices
Adults £14
Concessions £9
Parent & Child £16
Under 16's £4
Other First Division Fixture
Dunfermline Athletic v Livingston
Match Officials
Referee: John McKendrick
Assistant Referees: Willie Dishington and John McInally
