Thistle meltdown was 'unacceptable'

Thistle have two weeks in which to lick their wounds till their next match at home to Irvine Vics (27 September) which is now a must win to get some points on the board, but in the meantime have a friendly against Partick Thistle Under 19s on Saturday, 1.30pm kick-off at Barrfields.

Sandy said: “I will be looking for a reaction from my players this weekend,” admitted Sandy, “We had a heart to heart with the players in a no holds barred meeting, and cleared the air. Naturally, I am unhappy at losing five goals in the space of 22 minutes, and it was very disappointing but now we move on. We need to beat Irvine Vics, and then Kilsyth away next (October 4). We can’t afford to do what we did last year and lose the first six games on the spin - it isn’t going to happen.

“The problem we have is maintaining a level of consistency over 90 minutes. Last year, we played Pollok off the park for half a game, and dominated against Auchinleck Talbot for half a match. We must get a level of consistency over 90 minutes - that is something we have tried to get into the psyche of the players. If you don’t score when you are on top, keep going and hang in there. Against Hurlford, we had a 90 minute period in which we battered the living daylights out of them. We don’t want to go back to our bad old ways like the second half on Saturday. We dominated in the first half and should have been in front.

“To concede so many goals in such a short period of time was worrying, and they were all very similar goals. It was a makeshift defence, but we have also spoken to Barry McLaughlin, who was suspended, and said that his sending off is now hurting his mates. Losing Creag Little to injury was already a bodyblow as he has been outstanding for us.” Injured Thistle forward Sean Pierce, who was purchased to provide additional firepower up front, is still a few weeks away from returning, although Willie McClure came off the bench on Saturday and could make his first start of the season against Partick.

“The only crumb of comfort we could take from Saturday is that we are still creating chances.” said Sandy, “and everyone will feature against Partick at some point. Some players who haven’t had the chance will be itching to play this weekend, and it is now their chance to stake a claim for the jersey.” * The last three winners of the Thistle 200 Club are as follows: June £250 B Hendry of Largs, July £1000 G Mcleod of Largs, and August £500 Gregor Borrie of Largs.