There may be more than a wee bit of niggle in this game. Strong words have been coming from Maryhill since Burns and Craigan returned to Motherwell. 'It's no fair', they wailed. 'They're no playing by the rules'. Next will be 'Big boys done it and ran away - boo hoo!'.
Let's hope that Alan Dick's welcome back to his old stomping ground is friendly and warm but that he returns to Firhill with nothing but our good wishes. It would be wonderful if Burns and Craigan could score (a few) against their old team.
Terry's dilemma is that he was forced to reorganise the defence last week to cope with Craigan's absence though illness. Corrigan moved to the centre and Paul Quinn delivered a fine performance at right back. Assuming that there is a full squad available, what does the manager do?
The fans' view seems clear. Corrigan is far more effective in the centre of defence and must remain in that position. And Quinn has earned the right to another game. But should Craigan replace Partridge? Probably.
Faddy will have had another week in training and should be closer to full fitness. He appeared at the end of last week's game against Kilmarnock wearing an ice pack around his ankle but there has been no suggestion of serious damage.
Pearson could still be on cloud nine after scoring the Killie killer and if he can continue to produce the penetrating midfield runs that are becoming his trademark then the Thistlle defence will be under pressure.
Let's remember that this is only game four of the season and that this result alone will not determine our final placing. Still, three points would be cause for a wee celebration. Just think of the gloom and doom on the Thistle coach as it returns to Maryhill empty handed! 2-0 for the 'Well with Craigan and Burns on the scoresheet.