Archibald admits Partick’s problems are in defence

Posted Sunday, April 08, 2018 by PA

Partick Thistle extended their goalless run to five games in the 1-0 home defeat to Kilmarnock but boss Alan Archibald insists his major concerns are in defence.

Stuart Findlay’s header from a Jordan Jones cross in the 35th minute at the Energy Check stadium at Firhill proved enough to give Killie their fifth straight Ladbrokes Premiership victory.

The result left the Jags one point adrift of Ross County at the bottom of the table as they head into the split.

Thistle have a goal difference of minus 31, the worst in the league, and have gone nine league games without a win but Archibald insists his problems are keeping the ball out.

“We started brightly enough, Kilmarnock came into the game and got their goal from poor defending by us,” said the Jags boss who “definitely” remains confident of beating the drop.

“It is so simple. We are set up for the set play, the boy Jones is a threat and we didn’t stand on him and allowed the cross into the box.

“But the reaction at half-time was positive and there was a desire to get back into the game. You can see things aren’t quite falling for us.

“Yes, of course it (lack of goals) is a concern is but the bigger concern is keeping them out. It gives you something to build on.

“I have said that all year. It makes a difference if you are at the bottom end of the table, if you can keep clean sheets, you can build on it, give the rest of the lads confidence and maybe go and nick a goal.”

Killie closed the gap on fourth-placed Hibernian to seven points with a game in hand.

Boss Steve Clark highlighted the performance of his two central defenders Findlay and his veteran partner Broadfoot as the most pleasing aspect of the win.

He said: “I thought they were outstanding, Broadfoot and Findlay, one at the latter end of his career and one just starting out. It was good to see, a good combination.

“Kirk has been outstanding for me, a fixture in the team. He trains hard and his game has improved as he gets older.

“It wasn’t our best performance today but, as usual, (it had) loads of character.

“The pitch was difficult to play on, there was a lot of passing mistakes in both teams which were not just down to the quality of the players.

“We didn’t get into a rhythm, or create too much going forward and sometimes a little bit of quality can win the game and we got that from Jordan Jones’ cross and Stuart Findlay’s header.”