Partick Thistle v Saints Preview

Last updated : 11 November 2004 By Stuart Gillespie
Mixu Paatelainen is still out. This is a problem. We have scored two goals in the three games since he was ruled out. Brian McGinty has scored none. John O'Neill has scored one, a penalty. We've only scored in two of the last three games. It's not good.

Gus must surely make some changes. Allan Russell and John Baird have been racking them up in the reserves this season, and Russell scored against Hamilton a few weeks ago, so at least one of them should start. Ricky Gillies has been awful since his return to the team so is the likely candidate to be dropped, with O'Neill moving back into midfield.

We've played at Firhill five times since 1998, and haven't won a single match. We beat Partick 2-1 away from home in 1998 when they were in trouble, with Mark Yardley putting in a fantastic display to score twice. It was also a match that saw ex Saint Chic Charnley lining up for Partick and receiving lots of abuse.

Partick won their last game 4-0 against Ross County. They didn't play last weekebnd due to Falkirk playing in the league challenge cup final. There form has been a bit mixed this season, and they have struggled after being expected to stroll to the first division title. Juan Ramon Escalas has been a rare bright spark for them, but apart from that their players don't seem to have performed. They have Andy McLaren on loan at the moment, and he could make his debut tomorrow. So that'll be a goal.

We need a win, however I don't see it and think Partick will win 1-0.