The Thistle Archive

Media report

Raith Rovers did not do quite as convincing a demolition job yesterday, but they still saw off the home team with a professional aplomb that bodes well for Raith, badly for Thistle. Maryhill supporters concede they face a long dark winter skirting around the relegation zone. They never really looked like scoring against a Raith defence that has done an admirable job keeping a clean sheet since their five-goal thrashing at Kilmarnock.

Rovers now find themselves in fourth spot and thoughts of a return to Europe next season must have registered in a few Kirkcaldy pubs last night. As for Thistle, any momentary elation at getting a result last Saturday has been well and truly deflated by two resounding defeats. There are too many journeymen in this team and the question is whether a manager like previous incumbent John Lambie is better suited to to getting something out of these players than such a high profile boss as MacLeod who, through no fault of his own, cannot but help to instill an inferiority complex in his players. With Lambie, they were all in it together, but few would argue that any of the current crop would be worthy to lace MacLeod's boots as a player.

MacLeod made a bold move bringing on teenager Billy MacDonald for Tommy Turner in the 43rd minute. Turner's disdain was evident in his slow walk off and, although he seemed to say something to the bench, the manager blanked him.

(see 'Scrapbook' tab for full report)

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