daver

My concern at Firhill was that they were more physical than us in midfield and their substitutions seemed to strengthen them further whereas ours weakened us. This led to them trying to force a goal whereas we seemed to be trying to work our way through for some sort of wonder goal (something we've been guilty of recently). Hopefully on a better surface we can find a way through but we can't allow ourselves to be bullied again.

Do Thistle not have a stack of games in hand on top of this fixtures, mostly at home where they've been doing pretty well recently? I just don't see them being involved in the run in and think we're fighting it out with Accies and Killie.

Fair enough but there's been rumours before about them being interested in them taking him on loan. Could depend on how often he tweets about Rangers or in general.

Sounds like he's angling for a move there and trying to get the fans onside.

Although the canal is higher than the pitch, the ground slopes away on the other side so it's not as though the pitch at Firhill is in some sort of hollow. I think they have the same sort of drainage issues as we had and probably also have a clay sub-strata which has a very low infiltration rate which doesn't help. They will probably have to bite the bullet and re-lay their pitch in the summer after upgrading their drainage. By all accounts St. Johnstone's pitch was very poor yesterday. Obviously they have a purpose built stadium so you would assume they drainage should be up to scratch - I think that one's more a case of the pitch getting ripped up by playing on it when very soft due to the amount of rain we've had. I'm starting to come round to the idea of artificial pitches although only if they are of a really high standard. Accie's pitch last season was terrible, this year's still doesn't convince although Kilmarnock's seemed ok.

Would agree with that for most teams but do we really take much of a support to Dingwall and ICT? I've always assumed their supports at Fir Park are boosted by Glasgow based students and that there's not much of a difference with those teams. But I'm basing this on nothing other than my imaginings as I don't generally go to those away games.

Canals shouldn't be leaking water. Thistle would have a justified complaint if that was where the water was coming from and it would be a year round issue. I think it's just their drainage isn't up to the very wet winter we've had.

The heaviest criticism we received revolved around games with the old firm when they had a title race going on. Otherwise the majority of the media only made passing comments.

He's general manager. They were chief executives - completely different roles. I don't think he's making the type of decisions they were required to but yes, he did well with the play-offs (not that the SPFL think so).

The predecessor of this one. It's moved on since then but without his efforts we probably wouldn't have this forum to vent our spleen on.

We're a bit lacking in gingers. We need to up the ginger numbers!

Even before I looked at the comments I knew Ripley had to win this by some distance. Sitting behind the goal, I was stunned he managed to save that free kick.

I'd have the same team as last week apart from bringing back Moult and leaving Lasley on the bench. The Hearts game has been called off and it's been snowing heavily here in Glasgow. What's the weather like in Motherwell? I think it's safe to assume it'll be a heavy pitch.

Don't want to be too pedantic but Dundee are down to play tonight and tomorrow which seems a bit harsh! I think Hearts are playing Thistle tomorrow rather than Dundee.

On recent glimpses on Sportscene, Ibrox has looked worse than our pitch and Parkhead doesn't look as good as it normally does. Comments on those from the BBC instead? That would never do!

The BBC is now saying SImo has signed an extended contract with his club in Finland so he won't be going to Kilmarnock.

Tonight's Ross County v Hearts game not up?

I assume you'd drop Law to play Kennedy at right back. For all the criticism he gets, I think Law has been one of our steady performs and I'd be surprised and disappointed if he gets dropped for Kennedy at right back.

Our last home game is going to be interesting this season as we simply can't afford a pitch invasion. The club have pleaded and pleaded and it still happens. The only solution I can see is cordoning off the front three rows and stewarding the stairways. It won't be popular with those that normally sit there but I'm not sure what else they could do. Any suggestions?

At the time I said that I thought putting Ainsworth on for Cadden was a poor decision as he had been blocking a lot of moves down that side which Ainsworth wouldn't do. I took it that he was looking to have a go to try for a late winner. If he's going to have a go at Ainsworth then he needs to shoulder some responsibility for the substitution.

Just drove by the ground on my way home. There's something about the floodlights gets me excited.

Famous last words - the rain is on now!

I'm about a mile from the ground and it's been dry all day and not too bad - all depends how goosed their pitch is but it really shouldn't be off in this weather.

Tend to agree but if he can do us a turn then I can just about overlook the Jambo stain.

Quite happy with Gomis coming in on loan from Hearts.