Partich Thistle -V- Inverness CT SPFL
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We had a solar eclipse this week, but can third place Inverness cast a shadow over Partick, a club we have struggled to get the better of in recent games, although we did eventually send them out of the cup, but not before a nervy last twenty minutes.
Inverness had last weekend off as our intended victims staged another battle with Celtic. These battles are taking it's toll as players are being sent off as if red cards are going out of fashion. That's good news for both clubs rivals as their squads are being punished for lack of discipline on the field, well, unless you are Scott Brown or Nadir Ciftci.
Whilst we were idle, Jekyll & Hyde club Partick Thistle ran out convincing victors over St Johnstone by 3-0. First half goals from Kris Doolan and Conrad Balatoni had Partick cruising and they completed the scoring in the second period with a long range shot from Stuart Brannigan that sealed the points.
We need only remind ourselves of the earlier league clashes this season where Partick trounced Inverness twice, scoring seven goals in the process and conceding only one. Their in your face style and high pressing game accompanied by poor defensive decisions saw us fall apart all too easily, but the cup win showed we can do it if we apply ourselves properly, and that coupled with some injury and suspension worries for Partick should give us some optimism for todays game.
Inverness have given debut's to both recent signings and both will add new dimensions to our forward play. Ofere's height an obvious advantage and as shown in his cameo against Raith, Tarmo Kink has quick feet and once he reaches full fitness will be an exciting player to watch.
Both the newbies will feature in the squad and Garry Warren returns after his suspension, the one where Ciftci taunted him into retaliation and Gary walked. But he will be back which is tough on Danny Devine who has not done much wrong and scored the winning goal against Raith in the cup. Dean Brill has been out of action for over a month since wretching his knee at Kilmarnock and is nearing fitness, but with Esson a reliable replacement, there's no need to rush Deano back.. Richie Foran, well, surprise surprise is still out and one wonders if we will ever see him back.
Alan Archibald has a major doubt over Lyle Taylor who picked up a knock in training. Kallum Higgenbotham is suspended and Dan Seabourne, Sean Welsh and Christie Elliot are all reported to be out.
tm4tj Prediction:- The Jekyll & Hyde nature of Partick's season has seen them become the unpredictables. They have had some wonderful result, we should know better than most, but have also suffered some abject and unexplained performances and that's why they sit just above the relegation group in ninth place, but slightly adrift of the safety zone. On paper we look good for three points, but the game is not played on paper and we need to concentrate for the full ninety minutes if we want to keep our Euro hopes going strong into the last quarter of the season. It's usually around now that the word Euro brings on a decline in our play, almost as if someone has applied the brakes. With United faltering, we can only throw this advantage away all by ourselves. I am, however in optimistic mode considering Partick's woes and will be looking for a narrow win.
A point won't be too shabby, but all three would be nice.
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tm4tj in Previews 2014-15 ·
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