Partick Thistle 7 Airdrie United 0: McNamara's men gain a psychological edge

Christopher Jack

Sports Journalist

Monday 22 October 2012

THERE is plenty of time for the mind games to begin in the race for the first division title.

Aaron Muirhead scores Thistle's second goal from the penalty spot. Picture Marc Turner

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Christopher Jack

Partick Thistle have already started, however, as they once again assumed top spot with a 7-0 demolition of Airdrie United on Saturday.

There are no jibes being directed towards promotion rivals Morton or Dunfermline or over-exuberant shouts coming from Firhill, though. Instead they are using the services of a psychologist.

On the field, Jackie McNamara's side continue to show their title credentials, setting the early-season pace in impressive fashion.Away from the pitch, they are learning to put mind over matter. "A woman called Shona who comes in and talks about things with the boys and goes over positives and negatives in your mind," said Sean Welsh, the Thistle midfielder."That can help some boys, others don't really like it. She speaks to different people each time and you can see her every week or just once a month. I have spoken to her once and I enjoyed it. "As soon as you get out of bed on a Saturday, your mind has to be on the game and all you want is three points."You have to focus on that, – you can't switch off for a minute. It is all about concentration and that is what she tries to focus you on."There will certainly be few negatives to discuss in the Firhill camp this week, with their victory over Airdrie as comprehensive a triumph as you will see this season.Chris Erskine bagged two, Aaron Muirhead converted a penalty and Steven Lawless, Welsh, Ross Forbes and Kris Doolan helped pile on the misery for their visitors, leaving Jimmy Boyle's side defeated and deflated as Thistle steamrollered them in impressive style."The supporters won't accept it, I won't accept it and I'm quite sure the chairman will have a few words to say to me about it," the Airdrie manager said, his side now having conceded 14 goals in three games."I will need to go back to the drawing board. I'll work hard, as I've always done, and roll up my sleeves but these players really need to step up. They just haven't done that in the last four or five weeks."

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Partick Thistle 7 Airdrie United 0: McNamara's men gain a psychological edge

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