daver

We've both said we should be clear of relegation issues and I'm looking forward to that being the case, I just think we'll fall a bit short of top six. Difficult to say who will be there but I expect Hearts to improve, Hibs have the resources to improve their squad in January and i don't think we'll reach St. Johnstone's level of consistency. As for a cup run, by our standards that means getting to a semi so we can already tick that box!

As poor as Thistle were, in the past we would have dropped to (or already been at) their level and had a complete non-event of a game that could have gone either way. Credit to the team for a professional job while not firing on all cylinders. At this early stage of the season I'm (unusually) confident we won't be involved in a relegation battle and think we'll be pushing for a top six place although likely to ultimately fall short of that target.

I've gone for Tait but, sitting in the Cooper, Hartley's Cruyff turn was a joy to behold.

He had absolutely nothing to do today. Thistle had no shots on target and my Thistle supporting mate can't remember a worse performance in recent years. Although we played well (but still well within ourselves), Thistle normally st least offer a decent workrate. They've had a difficult start to the season but if they don't get results against weaker opposition over the next few games patience will be wearing thin.

What's worse is UEFA have us playing on the Thursday and Sunday nights.

Were League Cup semi's not previously midweek? Hopefully awweekend tie will get a few more along.

I think we beat them in the league and cup within a week. That cup game was absolutely dire but I remember Coyne getting first to a knock on to head it over the keeper.

Good to see them in the Cooper as well. No-one was to know about the result and performance to follow but with hindsight it might have been beneficial to have the buckets out after the game as when people had just witnessed the benefits of keeping Louis Moult.

I'm the same. Away for the schools' week so wouldn't make the Saturday unless I can persuade the family to come back from holiday a day early!

Ok, I know I said the whole team but who voted for Tanner?

The "least pish if you prefer" really needs to be "most awesome" or something similar on this occasion or maybe a whole team option! Gone for Moult though.

They may have announced it but the tannoy system in the Cooper now sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher. Strange as it was fine a few weeks ago.

No complaints about Kipre, Cadden or Fisher getting booked but Hammell's was soft. Did Grimshaw kick the ball away at the third? Christie's could have been red but I thought Fisher's was pretty wild as well. I'd have taken Christie and Fisher both suspended for Sunday! They had a few other challenges which deserved bookings, particularly on Moult. By the end it looked as though they were putting in a few frustrated challenges with injuries for Sunday in mind.

You'll just have to change that to the semi - final now!

I mentioned in another thread that Campbell's tackling style reminded me of Tom Boyd's. I can remember Joe Wark playing but not in any great detail.

I thought Plummer is a centre half. playing Frear in front of Hammell will leave us very exposed down the left and I'll be surprised if we start that way. Other than Dunne I think we'll start as we did at Hibs as Robinson likes to be ready for the physical aspects of the game and then change it to play a bit more football. Maybe we play better in the second half because of the changes or maybe it's because the other team is starting to tire after the high tempo first half.

If that's tackling from behind, coming alongside and getting the ball, not the man then I would say common sense has prevailed.

We all knew at the time he got it wrong. I know there's the 100% argument but, let's face it, everyone goes with their initial reaction which is influenced by their line of vision and a certain amount of gut feeling and it's that gut feeling that can be influenced, even very slightly, by things like theatrical falls. If the ref had to be 100% sure about every decision we wouldn't get a game of football and you'd see very few penalties. I'm sure he was convinced at the time that it was a penalty but tv evidence shows Boyle dived.

The referee's job is hard enough without players having unnatural reactions to challenges. It's only human nature for the referee to be skeptical of such reactions. Boyle went down in a fairly natural fashion although it was clear to all of us in the stand that there was no contact. Maybe the way he went to ground was enough to convince the referee.

Rose also brought down a high ball over on the far touchline with what I thought was the most impressive piece of skill in the whole game.

It's only when you see the game on tv you realise that not only could have thay moved the barrier across by half a dozen seats, the upper tier was empty.

Containing yourself is over-rated - just let it all out!

We've managed to win some physical battles but this will be more of a test in that respect. Their forward line hasn't quite clicked yet despite some real potential. I'm expecting a difficult game which we can hopefully sneak - just need to get our first half performances up to the level of those in the second.

The highlights didn't show the Bowman or Tanner chances near the end which were both flagged as offside which Alba showed to be wrong decisions. A cracking game of football - glad I went. Obviously Hibs didn't expect that size of a support. Bonkers to have that amount of congestion when they could easily have moved the segregation barrier along a bit.

That depends. You're not planning to wear it on a trip to Amsterdam are you?