WARNING TO THISTLE GAFFER'S PLAYERS
Paterson’s stark warning to players after slump
Alan Paterson has warned some of his players are fighting for their futures at East Kilbride Thistle after two dismal defeats in three days.
The Jags gaffer was aghast at their performance against bottom side Thorniewood United on Saturday, as they went down 3-2 away to the league’s bottom side.
But things only got worse on Monday night when Martyn McLaughlin saw red and 10-man Thistle were hammered 6-1 by Neilston Juniors at the Showpark.
Having beaten Glasgow Perthshire 2-0 last Wednesday with an impressive performance, the display came as a shock to the system to Paterson as they slipped to ninth in the table.
And he has told his squad they need to buck up their ideas if they want to stay at the club next season.
He said: “The Neilston game was a bad performance that followed on from an even worse one on Saturday.
“The 3-2 scoreline made it look close but we were the worst I’ve ever seen us.
“That’s as angry as I’ve ever been after a game because Thorniewood are not a good side.
“A few of the players have got from now until the end of the season to save their futures at this club because they keep making the same mistakes again and again. “It’s soul destroying. “I apologised to the fans on Twitter on Saturday night because we looked like individuals, not a team.
“I didn’t see Saturday coming and I think some of the players thought they just had to turn up to get the three points because of Thorniewood’s position in the league.
“In the Neilston game we were all over the place for the goals.
“But, to be fair, Neilston were ruthless and every chance they got they took.
“Martyn was sent off early doors in the second half and after that it was a backs against the wall job.”
Paterson had some choice words to say about the referee as well, insisting McLaughlin’s sending off was a harsh one.
He added: “The referee had a real arrogance about him and a bee in his bonnet about Martyn.
“The first booking wasn’t even a booking, their player just ran into him, and then the ref’s given him another yellow for dissent but I don’t think he’s really said anything to him.”
Last Wednesday goals from Chris Faulds and Ally Morgan gave the Jags victory over Perthshire, who were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes.
However, going into the Thorniewood clash on a run of five games unbeaten they slumped to defeat.
Thorniewood took the lead after 11 minutes, but Paul Byrne equalised just two minutes later. The hosts went 3-1 up by the 50 minute mark before Scott McKean grabbed a consolation for Thistle 20 minutes from time.
Morgan was on target with Thistle’s only goal in the 6-1 defeat to Neilston.
After three games in six days, Thistle are facing up to the same situation this week as they battle a backlog of fixtures.
Tonight they host Clydebank in a re-arranged Central League Cup clash at the Showpark, kick-off 6.30pm.
That is followed by home league games with Yoker on Saturday (kickoff 2pm) and Blantyre (kick-off 7pm) on Monday night.
Paterson added: “Clydebank are flying right now, so it’s probably the worst game we could have asked for after the last two results. But the cup is not what our focus is on this season.
“The next few league games are vital and we’ll find ourselves in a relegation dogfight if results keep going like this.
“The boys need to up their game and stop feeling sorry for themselves.”