PARTICK THISTLE
MANAGER:
Despite being just 38, Alan Archibald is heading into his fifth year as Partick Thistle manager, and what a job he has done. The former defender guided his team to top-flight promotion and has comfortably avoided a relegation scrap since.
It says a lot for his man management that despite interest from elsewhere he has kept hold of first-team regulars Callum Booth, Abdul Osman, Stevie Lawless and Stuart Bannigan. Now Thistle have been established in the top flight for some time, Archibald will be looking for the experience of these players to pay off.
FORM GUIDE:
Thistle finished last season in ninth place on 46 points, the same tally that earned them eighth spot the year before. Despite the drop in the standings, Thistle had a lot more consistency to their play, especially at home. Archibald is vocal about striving for progression season on season, and if the likes of the returning Chris Erskine and Danny Devine can be transplanted into his set-up without a hitch, a top-six space is certainly not beyond them. As with their near-neighbours Motherwell, a prolonged cup run is also overdue.
WHO’S IN:
David Crawford (Alloa Athletic), Ziggy Gordon (Hamilton Academical), David Syme (Kilmarnock), Danny Devine (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Adil Azeez (AFC Wimbledon), Chris Erskine (Dundee United).
WHO’S OUT:
Gary Miller (Plymouth Argyle), Paul Gallacher (Hearts), Frederic Frans (Lierse), Chris Duggan (East Fife), Danny Seaborne (free agent).
STAR PLAYER:
It has to be Kris Doolan, left. The former Juniors forward netted 14 times last season and continues to impress. Aged 29, Doolan is in his prime and continues to be Thistle’s biggest goal threat, as he proved by scoring the winner against Airdrieonians in their first Betfred Cup match. Archibald will be looking for him to get into double figures once more and surpass his previous tally, and you’d be silly to bet against him doing just that.
ONE TO WATCH:
While Doolan will be the man who will be looked to for banging in the goals, there are high hopes for young Kevin Nesbit. Just 19, he is a product of the Thistle Weir Academy and became the club’s first player to score 20 goals in the development league last year. Expect to see a lot of him this season.