No panic says boss as Jags slump continues

Nov 19 2008 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

AFTER watching his side slump to their fourth defeat in six games, Thistle boss Colin Mitchell insists the fans should have nothing to worry about just yet.

Thistle opened the season with a 2-1 win over Largs Thistle before a defeat at Lanark the following week. And after their emphatic 4-0 win over Maybole at the start of September, the Jags haven’t recorded a single victory in their league and cup matches – failing to win any of their Sectional League Cup and Scottish Junior Cup matches.

The Jags are one point off the drop zone at this early stage, but after just two wins in 12 competitive matches, Mitchell said there’s no need to worry.

He told the News: “I’m not happy with the results we’ve been getting, but from all the games we’ve played this season, especially in the league, I don’t think anyone’s really dominated us.

“It’s a young team we’ve got but I still think we’re good enough to do something in the league. We’ve played all the top six teams now and in the next few weeks we will start playing the teams around us.

“From what I’ve seen, I don’t think there is much between the teams in this league.

“On Saturday we lost three goals from three cross balls and we need to be better than that. We’re getting it right up front and creating a number of chances, but it’s at the other end of the park that we are letting ourselves down.

“Defensively we are a bit naive and we’ve got a very young defence – I think the average age is 22 – so we need to work on things there and stop losing sloppy goals.”

Thistle are on their travels this weekend as they face Port Glasgow – a team rooted to the bottom of Super League Division One after five losses and three draws – and Mitch is hoping to pick up a much-needed three points.

“We want to win the game, but just because Port Glasgow are bottom of the league doesn’t mean we will,” said the Jags boss.

“It’s going to be hard game and we’re not expecting to come away with a easy win. I think Port Glasgow have been a bit like us this season: they’ve created the chances, but haven’t gotten the breaks in some of their games.

“But getting Dunga [Steven McClung] back to the club is great news and hopefully he can start scoring goals for us.”