Managers post Partick Thistle

10/03/20: link to audio of both managers post match interviews

It was no surprise to anyone that Pars manager Stevie Crawford was disappointed to lose a goal so late in the game.

“After the first half we were probably fortunate to come in at 0-0. To be fair to Partick I thought that they caused us problems and it wasn’t through the want of trying. I thought the boys gave us what they could.

“We spoke during the first half of possibly changing to a 3-5-2 to match them up and give us that extra body in the middle of the park but we just felt that was too many changes with personnel. So credit to the boys they managed to fight and scrap for everything. We were very fortunate to be drawing at half time.”

Did you feel on the goalkeeper just before Graham scored the Partick equalised?

“For me is that Brian Graham was not quite watching the ball, he doesn’t know where the ball is and he has made a nuisance of himself. He does make contact with the big man (Owain Fôn Williams). Owain has come out punched it clear and then there is contact but it is disappointing. As I say I cannot be too disappointed that we have come away with a point because we were off it in the first half.”

Was the goal that you scored something that you had worked on on the training ground? Did you pinpoint that Thistle had lost a lot of goals from setpieces this season?

“A lot of the stuff we had seen. We had noted that Partick had been losing a few goals from setplays. The last few matches they have actually put Brian Graham in the middle some in the six yard box which helps them in that area. It is something that we had worked on, it is nice when it comes off.

“Afolabi was through on goal towards the end of the game as well and that’s another one you are looking at saying the decision could have gone either way as well. Jonathan felt that he had got the better shoulder to shoulder and felt he should have been one on one with the goalie.

“Frustrated in the end but disappointed after the way the boys managed to get back into the game in the second half. The tactical change to go three at the back is something that we haven’t worked on but on the night it has worked for us.”

Will you get Kevin Nisbet back anytime soon?

“Kevin is making good progress, I doubt if he will be fit for the Dundee game. Then we are looking at the days ticking down. His ankle is getting better daily and he is getting stronger.”

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