Bring Your Own Socks

Indeed. And we should steady our minds for a league position that will reflect that. If we are struggling by Christmas I can see some pretty terse discussions between CD and the committee.

First goal was Josh Scott’s fault, all day long. There was five strung along the six yard box. It’s high school physics that they have a job jumping high from a standing position. Harry Milne however had the benefit of Momentum having been allowed by Scott, who was touch-tight to Milne as the play started, a free run giving him five yards to get himself a good lift. Having zonal defenders only works when everyone plays there role perfectly. Goal 2 arguably starts with the corner with two midfielders, principally Dom Thomas, very slow to get out for the short kick but the shot wouldn’t have got near the goal if Ujdur had played like a defender and held his body straight instead of turning like a 12 year old. Third goal; QP once again guard the six yard line. Thistle once again spot this and give themselves a run at it. QP only have two blockers against four runners. Josh Scott has the role of guarding the man on the edge of the box. This time QP win the first ball, thanks mostly to Rudden blocking Graham but for some reason Scott, with a very clear role, decides to face the well-guarded goal (ballwatching) and loses sight of his man who has loads of space and time to run onto the ball being cleared. Take nothing away from the PT finishing and exploiting the zonal marking, but we defend like a youth team sometimes.

PTFC giving all fans a clear picture on their club ahead of their AGM. This section of the statement was particularly interesting. Given their time in this division they should know. “However, the realities of competing in the second tier of Scottish football mean that, until promotion is achieved, maintaining a position of break even or better is usually only possible in one of a few ways: lucrative cup runs (mainly through playing Celtic or Rangers, which we last did in February 2023) player trading increased revenues from commercial partners and supporter groups” https://ptfc.co.uk/ptfc-news/partick-thistle-fc-finance-update-for-supporters/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0jrw8dIZwKvqhHiBAvSMUe0Fa1zjRvlAo2wKKQ7mBIuzoVNPXqUvqhI4g_aem_wY36Xk_1QYl-BpI5EjenuA

Despite massive changes in personnel, on and off the park, there were times yesterday it felt like watching the Veldman or Ellis team. There was a spell in the early part of the second half when we faced the goal and had people running at defenders and Thistle weren’t coping with it. Nowhere near enough though.

It was a yellow for deliberately handling outside his area. The criteria for red cards is as below. In Ferrie’s case, A4 would have applied. In today’s incident, there was several other players who could have stopped an attempt on goal.

Some of us discussing how to disrupt the opposition the other day and we got a masterclass from Brian Graham today. QP having a good spell of pressure and getting closer in the second half and then a malignant ghost puts Graham on his back and it takes a good five mins for him to recover. Meanwhile, QP players forget where they were, what they were doing and what the plan was as they mingle for drinks. Play resumes, Thistle take the ascendency and goal two follows shortly after. Game over.

I’m afraid “financing another addition” means it’ll need to be a net zero, or near enough, transaction. Which means more than B squad. The committee were the same with McKinnon and Coyle. Here’s your budget, make it work. Timings tricky too. When Callum rhymes off all his injury list I wonder where all these defenders are going to fit in. Hard to sell a guy who’s on the medics table.

As club captain it would be normal to be around the camp even if not fit to play. Hasn’t he also got the job of managing the PTW team? Busy boy. When the day comes for the TV networks to include in-game expert analysis on VAR decisions from former players to highlight how the ref can’t interpret what’s going on because “they never played the game”, Big Brian will be right at the front of the queue. Bless!

Most teams have a nominated moaner, usually a striker or midfielder, whose job it is to distract the ref from restarting the game, thus allowing the defence time to get themselves in position. Streetwise for sure. We've an experienced coaching team who between them played in defence, midfield and attack. Disrupting opponents off the ball is a skill in itself.

Can't be coincidence...

B team at Dunfermline tomorrow in the reserve league. 3 from 3?

Jan 21st 1982-3 SFL Div 1 at Broomfield, as the original Airdrieonians. 1-0 QP. Unfortunately we still came last in the league.

Great to see Jack Turner having a bigger influence on the game. Most of the creative stuff yesterday had his mark on it. He’s always been gifted but had a fitful season last year. I wonder if having Barry Nicholson whispering in his ear has made the difference. Fair play to Cal for killing the play after his gaffe. Clearly knew it was a straight red but made sure Airdrie couldn’t score. The team’s shaping up nicely. I reckon we’re still a month behind where CD would want us but progress is rapid. It’ll be interesting next week with a rookie goalie behind the rookie defence.

Do they not do hospitality at the McAlpine for away games when Scotland are playing? probably more efficient for staff etc if they can squeeze two hospitality sittings in one day.

I'm looking for runners from midfield, which we look to have, and useful loitering of wing backs at the back post for our goals. Ferrie seems set on a shutout. Most disciplined back five I can remember on Saturday since McGeever played thanks to Kerr bossing it.