Partick Thistle aim to get back on track against Dunfermline
PARTICK THISTLE fans are looking for their side to hit back this weekend after their disappointing display at Kirkcaldy on Saturday.
The Jags' opponents are Dunfermline, and the last time they came to Maryhill, in September, Firhill was celebrating its 100th birthday.
There was something of a carnival atmosphere at the grand old stadium that afternoon, aided in no small measure by a sparkling performance from Thistle and a 2-0 victory.
There's no such sideshow on Saturday but the occasion is no less important or the need for maximum points any less pressing.
The events of last weekend that saw Thistle lose on a stodgy pitch at Raith Rovers while their opponents were beaten narrowly at Dens Park, served only to cement Dundee's position that bit more securely to the summit of the first division.
Thistle's manager Ian McCall is painfully aware though that his side will need to perform much better against Dunfermline than they did against the league's other team from Fife, Raith Rovers, last weekend if they wish to take maximum points.
He said: "We were so disappointed with our performance against Raith. It was a really important game for us that gave us the opportunity to put some pressure on Dundee for the first time, but we didn't take that opportunity.
"On a difficult pitch we were missing three players with the kind of physical presence that would have made a difference, but in the second half of the season we are going to have to get used to pitches not being in the best of condition.
"I've frequently been proud of the kind of football we have played this season, but if there is one lesson to be learned from the Raith Rovers game it is that it isn't always good football that wins you matches.
"It's important that we put the Raith result behind us and concentrate on getting three points against Dunfermline.
"In general I've had a good response from my players after a poor result and, with our home record being pretty good this season, I'm hoping that we can do so again against a good side."
Of the absentees against Raith it is hoped that Ian Maxwell and Steve Lovell will be available for the Dunfermline match. Jamie Adams has returned to Kilmarnock and Stephen McKeown remains on the injury list, with a return against Inverness on January 30 pencilled in.
In line to make their home debuts are on loan left-sided Celtic player Ryan Conroy and the hugely experienced Greg Shields, who could well feature against the club he made well over 200 appearances for in two spells at East End Park.
Ryan is looking to help the Jags get their promotion bid back in gear and said: "I'm delighted to be at Thistle.
"The manager, Tony Mowbrary, told me to go and get some first team experience, and I'm very happy I can do that at Firhill.
"Thistle is a great club that is looking to push on for promotion, and I would love to help them get promoted to the SPL.
"I'm really excited about the chance of getting my first run out in front of the Thistle fans on Saturday. I've been to a couple of games at the ground and the supporters get right behind the players.
"It's a massive game against Dunfermline, who are playing well at the moment. We know it will be another tough game but we will go out and put everything into the 90 minutes and hopefully get the victory."
Dunfermline, who have been in the news for the wrong reasons recently, will be hoping to repeat the 3-1 win they recorded against Ian McCall's men the last time the teams met in November.
Willie Gibson scored twice that afternoon and should again pose a threat to Thistle from wide areas. Andy Kirk, with 11 league and cup goals to his name, will be another player the Jags defence will need to keep a very tight grip on.
Dunfermline also have former Hibs striker Sam Morrow, who had a spell on loan at Firhill in season 2006-07, on trial while manager Jim McIntyre pulled his boots on for the first time in over a year in their fixture last Sunday at Dundee.
As they do for all Thistle's home SFL matches, all kids under 16 can gain entry for free to Firhill on Saturday.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Milngavie
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 1 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: East
