Manager at Lunchtime

"We need to try and turn the draws that we have been getting into wins so we are going there to try and win the game."

Ahead of the Pars trip to Firhill tomorrow, Manager Jim McIntyre spoke to the website:-

"We lost the last game there in the Cup despite playing really well but games between us and Thistle have been very close. It's either been an odd goal in it or a draw and I expect another tight game tomorrow. We need to try and turn the draws that we have been getting into wins so we are going there to try and win the game."

With the Jags and the Pars sitting 5th and 6th on 42 points Macca observed:-

"The two teams are very close together in the table; nothing is splitting us really. They had a great result against Dundee during the week and they have a big cup game to look forward to."

Stephen Wright watched Thistle defeat the promotion hopefuls and was impressed by the home side's second half performance. Partick are no different from Athletic in that respect blowing hot and cold in games. The Manager accepted that you have to cash in when on top:-

"I think that's football. A lot of times you just play well for periods in games but the aim is to try and sustain that for as long as you can and when you are on top of your game put your chances away. Saturday just wasn't good enough; it was poor so we are looking for a big improvement on that.

"Mark Burchill is back fit for us so that's a bonus, the only absentee is Calum Woods - his injury has not quite healed yet and there is no point in taking a risk at this stage of the season with the chance of opening up the wound.

Thistle are expected to welcome back Alan Archibald from a two-match suspension but are without injured trio Liam Buchanan, Paul Keegan and Stephen McKeown.