Kmcalpin

Far too early to be discussing SK's future but, and there's always a but, this season will be different. He's been in post for about a year and a half now and built his own team. If things go badly wrong in the coming months, there'll be no excuses or hiding place, harsh as it seems.

I noticed at Montrose that the ref played 90 minutes and not a second more. That's despite several substitutions. It was a finely balanced game at 1-1 and the outcome was important.

I agree with many previous comments. To me the game still had an air of pre season preparation about it and getting time in legs. Ann overly cautious approach and lack of aggression against a big and physical Partick side (apologies to any journos) who put it about. I don't get why Balmer and McGinn were unussed subs. Surely both needed gametime before the league starts next week? The system we used isolated the striker(s) against a big physical uncompromising defence. It was destined to fail. None of the 3 strikers we've used so far can play as a lone striker. Defence wise we looked a bit shambolic at times with Casey and Blaney looking error prone. Gordon did ok. Neither O'Donnell, who had a poor game or Wilson impressed and we badly lack pace at wing back - SK's system needs that. In defence of O'Donnell, Partick quickly sussed that he had no cover in front of him and took advantage of that. The midfield was very poor, with no creativity, physical presence or aggression. Paton was badly missed today for his energy and endeavour. Davor was lightweight and ineffective. Good to see Dylan Wells get some gametime but he looked a little lost at times against bigger and more physical opponents. The ref was very poor and made error after error. We could have scored several but for a powder puff attack and bad luck. That said, Partick could have had 3 but rarely tested Oxborough. Big changes required for next week, but injuries have limited scope for that in midfield and lack of gametime will hamper Balmer and McGinn.

I tink he was in some kind of altercation with one one of our lads at a throw in. However, he acted like a complete ned thoughout his time on the pitch. No doubt involved in a few annoying and unsavoury incidents that would have riled SK. If I recall rightly he put in a horrific challenge on Lennon MIller(?) well after the ball was away. A stick on red card.

Welcome to the forum. Good first post.

Absolutely. Everything seemed indicative of a half hearted pre season warm up today as we adopted a cautious and conservative approach to the game. Even the approach to penalty kicks had a trainign ground feel about. I don't know how SK would have reacted if Thistle had scored and perhaps forced a change of attitude and mindset.

No pace and little creativity inside. Defence still looks vulnerable.

I'll be interested today to find out whether our defence and defensive midfield have improved any since last season. Hopefully Balmer will start and McGinn, Seddon and Kaleta get some game time. We can't afford another defensive fiasco similar to last season.

Supposedly Thistle will be forced to field a young inexperienced goalie tomorrow. That will only be a factor if we can get crosses and efforts on target and pressurise their defence

Not sure about all of that. We absolutely need another striker, but not 2, albeit one is supposedly coming soon from the Antipodes. Another creative midfielder is also a must. I would also like to have brought in another defensive/holding midfielder, as demonstrated by Clyde's goal last Saturday, but that won't happen now. I share your concern about Wilson, but we have yet to see Seddon in action. Numbers wise we're fine in central defence.

Absolutely. We knew that Spittal would be leaving, probably 6 months ago. His is is a key position. Now you could say that Nicholson was signed as his replacement. With his injury record though its putting a lot of eggs in one basket. Sk did say that he was looking to sign another 2/3 players; presumably one being the yet to be confirmed striker with the unpronouncable name. I assumed that a No 10 would be another target. It is leaving it late though to fill a key position.

Yes. I think he went out on loan somewhere but was released last year.

Logic dictates we should win but....... Partick have been banging the goals in but seem to have a very shaky defence. Add to that, that their keeper went off injured last night after colliding with a goalpost. Our problem will be midfield where despite having numbers on paper, many are injured. I like the club to be reasonably open with the fans over injuries but are we being too open here? IS SK playing mindgames with Thistle? Not unless one or two injuried parties miraculously recover before Sunday. They must be "reasonably" serious ( we all know about Slattery and Koutroumbis) ie not trivial knocks if the players are announced as being out 6 days before kick off. Our midfield options are very limited.

Yes, the situation has changed. The Magyars must win to overtake us.

Thanks agent Logan!

Logan Dunnachie scores for Clyde.

Yes, these changes have to be made as soon as practicably possible to allow us to move forward and re-create unity. They should be done in a civilised professional manner.

I wish neither party any harm. Rather than focus on retribution, revenge, vendettas, punishement and reprisals its now time for all of us to get behind the Society and club to work for positive change and to support the former's strategy. Personnel changes should be actioned in a timely but business like and objective way. We've no time for negative distractions now.

Some great banter tonight. I suspect we're signing AVS as a speculate to accumulate project. All we need now is another No 10 "Spittal replacement" and we're good to go.

Fair enough Tam.

Yes, you're right of course. A draw after 90 minutes next Sunday might have been enough for us, if we'd have won on penalties. Assuming Partick win this midweek, then they can afford to draw whereas we now have to win to finish top. We have to finish a point above them and that can only be achieved by beating them outright.

I've just watched the highlights from yesterday's game. Some good attacking moves, although much of it was unproductive. Stuparevic's goal was a real thing of beauty. Hopefully a lot more of that to come. As for Clyde's goal - it was one we conceded many times last year. A real team effort. A mistake in giving the ball the ball away; attackers given loads of space; the midfield retreating into our own box; and 2 totally unmarked attackers lining up to have a crack at goal about 15 yards out. Where was our midfield?? A lot of comment was made last year about the state of our central defence and we'll leave that aside for now, but it seems our defensive midfield weakness has not been addressed by new arrivals. Early days but I hope we get our house in order for next Sunday and the Ross County opener. I suspect SK will make a few changes from yesterday that will keep Partick on their toes.

One definition of an internet troll is "a person who intentionally antagonizes others online by posting inflammatory, irrelevant, or offensive comments or other disruptive content". Now thats a pretty wide definition. In my book, it clearly includes someone who makes personal remarks, bullies other posters, singles other posters out for "special mention or treatment" (excluding engaging in constructive debate) or is abusive. Thats the easy bit, or maybe its not so easy. Its not so easy to decide if someone is troll if they post ridiculous comments - it might be that they just hold ridiculous views. It happens. The problem then becomes who decides the definition of a ridiculous view and why a poster has posted them? What we have to avoid at all costs, is to label someone a troll if they hold diametrically opposite views to us. Our support contains extremes of optimism and pessimism and a whole range in between. Personally I like to read views which are diametrically opposite to my own as it helps me test and challenge my own perspectives and understand where others are coming from. I'd say that the mods and admin on here do a pretty good job. The problem is that we don't know what we don't know - the unseen work that they do quietly in the background.

I get that but these lower league teams have had different priorities to us. They're out to beat a big boy ie us, whereas we try to balance results against getting players matchfit. In my view we haven't got it quite right this year. Results wise though we're first in our group ....so far. Not the first time we've got the balance wrong. Injuries have also played a part.

After our result at Montrose, a win will be the only acceptable result for us. Even if we'd picked up all 3 points in Angus that might not have been enough, given Thistle's better goal scoring record. They'll be delighted to lose on penalties next week given their superior goal difference. We have to win simples. However, the players are getting match fitter and we've yet to field our strongest 11 from those we have available.