allyo

I saw Thistle play in Balintore. But it was just a friendly

Considering we lost Holt, Docherty, Tiffoney and Turner, I think we're doing pretty well to be closing in on last season's points total.

Now that we're definitely in the playoffs and Ayr aren't, can we get Dowds back? Could be handy.

I don't have a fag packet handy

This is great. Destroying their goal difference is very handy for 3rd

My fag packet calculation is statistically 1/1000 likelihood of us not being in the playoff. But I don't smoke, so..

I've never really understood why Celtic Rangers games can't just be organised separately. Let them play each other twice in the league and then let them play additionally wherever and whenever they want, as many times as they want. Take it around the world for all I care, in a big angry petty travelling circus. Sky will pay because there's enough grunty people want to watch it. Call it the Two Cheeks Trophy Challenge Tour. You don't get this out-of-the-box thinking from Doncaster

As I've said before, the premier teams have just as many games to play between now and then as the team finishing second. And after Sunday's result there's every chance that their regular season will go down to the wire, and the Premier team coming into the playoff will be off the back of a bruising experience

If they were likely to lose 7-0 I wouldn't consider it. I'm going on the basis that these players ae capable at this level. Otherwise I think there's no question.

We might need a squad for the playoffs. The benefit might not just be in resting players, but also in giving others game time.

If it's good enough for Rodri...

So it's debatable whether our playoff spot is now "secured" or otherwise, but obviously we're nearly there, and third place over Airdrie is now the main question. That question is unlikely to be settled until the very last game. I'm wondering what Kris Doolan should do now. Our squad is incredibly stretched, Brian Graham is playing every minute, some other key players not looking their sharpest. The playoffs are obviously bruising and personally I don't think we're currently in shape to get through them. Though a late season drop off to 4th place would do nothing for morale. Would you: (a) Prioritise 3rd place and continue with the strongest 11 available through to the end of the regular season, or (b) Rotate the squad, even if it means trialling a few very inexperienced players, to give key players a chance to recover and focus on the playoffs? I think I'd go for the second option. I might be tempted go full strength against Airdrie just to give us the best chance, but regardless of that result I think I'd use the last two games as a reset opportunity, and que sera on 3rd place. Appreciate the financial implications, but I think performance in the playoffs has to be the priority.

Currently 9 points ahead of Dunfermline and 9 points ahead of Ayr United, with 3 games left and a healthy advantage in goal difference over both. Every single goal in the Slam and Hogan is essential to our current position.

I mean it's six games as in we have three and they have three. The goal difference would accumulate over all six games. Wee bit more complicated than that as we play Ayr (so that games counts double? ) Anyway, either way, I reckon we'll get there. Don't fancy us when we do, but who knows

Strictly speaking yes. And I'll be honest and say I'd forgotten about Ayr United, and their goal difference took a huge boost today. But overturning a 14 or 15 goal difference in 6 games, which is what Dunfermline or Ayr would have to do, is a big ask. I'm an anxious football fan, but even I'm saying that's never going to happen.

Playoff secured. Wee battle now for third

Technically yes. But a 14 goal difference is a lot to overturn in just 6 games.

So we really just need a better result than Dunfermline tomorrow and the playoff will be secured.

Dunfermline and Morton aren't reaching 50. We already have enough points for the playoff. Obviously a wild prediction rather than a fact.

Okay I have to bite. What is daft or unfair about our playoff system? It rewards finishing second over 3rd or 4th which seems fair enough to me. It equates to a 15% promotion ratio per league size, which is reasonable. And it equalises the number of league games to be played by the Premier team and the second placed team (if they make it), to 38 games. A 3rd or 4th placed team plays just two more. And when we finish our regular season on 3rd May, the Premier teams will still have four post split (usually competitive) games to play before the playoff final on 23rd. If you finish 3rd or 4th in a league of 10 it should be very difficult to succeed through playoffs. The current 4th placed team has only won one more game than it has lost. I accept that it's difficult for a team in 3rd or 4th. I don't accept that it's unfair

Oh yeah, he should definitely have had one that day

No one has scored a hat-trick for Thistle in 9 years! There were 4 of them in 1989

Said before it started I'd have taken a draw. I can't really see Morton or Dunfermline catching us now

In tribute to JeannieD starting the thread, but also because it's true... I would probably take a draw

It's a good point. At the moment the team doesn't look capable of putting together a run through the playoffs. Secure it early and there might be an opportunity to reset, but then also the risk of lost momentum and confidence if we take defeats. Difficult to balance.