Premiership first round review: Partick Thistle

THE best and worst of Partick Thistle’s season following the first round of Premiership fixtures.
James Craigen in action against St Johnstone. Picture: Roberto Cavieres.James Craigen in action against St Johnstone. Picture: Roberto Cavieres.
James Craigen in action against St Johnstone. Picture: Roberto Cavieres.

Best Player

The signing of Dan Seaborne has provided the Thistle defence with some much needed leadership and stability. He’s been very confident and assured so far this season, but “Best Player” award goes to Abdul Osman. He’s like Isaac Osbourne on steroids.

Worst Player

Ryan Stevenson has had flashes of what I think most people expected of him but overall has looked unfit and uninterested. Misplaced passes, pitiful efforts on goal and lackadaisical tracking back have been his main contributions so far.

Biggest Surprise

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I’m genuinely surprised that Lyle Taylor and Chris Erskine haven’t returned to the club on a permanent basis. Taylor is currently injured at Scunthorpe and one of his main reasons for signing for them has just been sacked... Erskine, however, is finally showing Dundee United fans what he is capable of. That 33/1 of Chris getting a Scotland cap within 5 years is looking good!

Biggest Disappointment

As mentioned earlier, Ryan Stevenson has largely (pun intended) failed to live up to expectations. His grit and determination last season impressed me greatly but I’ve seen little of that this year.

Best Team Performance

There’s already been some good performances this season. The demolition of a hapless Motherwell was impressive, but probably expected. The win against ICT scoops this award though. To score three (and miss a penalty!) against a team who were yet to concede a league goal was a great achievement. To do it after losing an early, and superbly executed, goal was even more impressive.

Worst Game

Kilmarnock away. Yeuch. Deservedly lost 3-0 and unfortunately lost Kallum Higginbotham to injury.

Most Worrying Contract

There’s a recurring theme to this blog. It’s Ryan Stevenson again. He was given a 3 year deal! Even when I was pleased about the signing, I did raise my eyebrows at that one.

Manager’s Performance

Last year, I said that Archie could do no wrong. There’s actually been people wanting him sacked at various points this season...

Overall, he’s still doing a superb job. Despite Stevenson’s slow start to the season, which may or may not be Archie’s responsibility, the manager has managed to fire up his players at the right time. You’ll get games like the one down at Rugby Park but it’s how your team responds to you the following week that counts. The big man sorted them out.

I’ve been impressed with the new faces: Seaborne and Osman seem like excellent acquisitions, while Nathan Eccleston and Jake Carroll have shown enough in patches that they can do a decent job in this league.

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New signing Frédéric Frans should help to bolster the defence. Let’s see, shall we?

Archie has also man managed his squad well. This has been so evident in the return to form of Stevie Lawless and the confidence demonstrated by Stephen O’Donnell, a player who has his own demons but great hair.