They new we were in trouble when the Firhill announcer failed to list Leitch among the starting eleven. His omission, presumably due to a knock received last week, together with that of Peason and Lasley through suspension meant that our starting line up looked bizarre.
Corrigan was moved from the back four and placed in centre midfield along with Adams, McFadden and Craig. Hammell, Partridge, Vaughan and Cowan formed the defence while Lehmann and Clarkson lead the line.
It was hard to believe that all of those players played with such confidence, determination and commitment at Hamden last week. They were a sorry lot today.
Too many players were out of position and that has to be borne in mind but the seeming lack of effort and the apparent lack of any game plan resulted in a hopeless performance.
The three nil scoreline flattered Thistle. They were, at best, average but we made them look good.
It goes without saying that 'well old boy Burns was first on the scoresheet. He slammed the ball though Dubourdeau's legs from an acute angle after half an hour. We reached the break and hoped for a change of tactics (any tactic?) in the second half.
The hapless McFadden was moved up front (he had already been switched from right to left midfield). After the second goal Offiong replaced Craig. The second goal! A shambles. A long ball down the right wing was not cut out, Dubourdeau failed to come for the cross, Burns then found himself with only the mildest of attention on the right hand side of the box and he made space for a shot. He fired at the goalie who spilled the ball. There was an old fashioned stramash in the six yard box and Britton took his chance to slot home.
We had nothing resembling a clear goal scoring opportunity during the game. A couple of twenty five yard free kicks (one from Faddy - high, and one from Adams - blocked) and a terrible effort from Craig in the second half just about sums it up.
Butcher said after the game that another such performance at next week's six pointer against United would cost us dear. Too right! let's hope the real 'Well team turn up on Saturday because they were sadly missing today.
The club are doing their bit to encourage a high turn out - prices for the game are to be reduced to £8 for adults and £2 for concessions.