I don’t think any of us, including Doolan, would have considered Stanway to be a regular starter when Alston signed. He seemed to be a bit of a benchwarmer at Airdrie. Hindsight and all that.
I don't recall any negativity about the signing of Graham at the time. He always looked to be a good bit of business and turned out to be far better than anyone expected. Around the same time we signed another player who received a far more mixed reaction. He had been dismissed as hopeless by the supporters of his previous two clubs (Motherwell and Dunfermline) and has been outstanding for us. A great signing. Stand up one Stevie Lawless...oh you are standing up.
Didn't hear anything about Dowds being injured so his omission from the squad would make me too think he may be on his way out. Arbroath perhaps? Heard a pub rumour before the game that Williams had left the club to return home due to his partner's health situation. Probably pish though.
Very poor in a Thistle shirt. Energetic but ineffective and a first instinct to crumple in a heap at any contact in the faint and usually groundless hope that he may get a free kick. Seems he was a very different creature in a Falkirk strip and was well regarded by their support. Scored a few goals there too.