Metz 1, Partick Thistle 0
WHATEVER else may be said about them (and there is usually no shortage
of material), Partick Thistle could not be accused of self-deception
after they discovered the reality of European football in France at the
weekend. The narrowness of the scoreline in Metz might have tempted
others to persuade themselves that they might even have been unlucky.
Thistle, to their credit, were not indulging in such fantasies. The
management and players were in complete agreement as they returned home
last night that the French team had shown them what it really is about
at a different level.
Derek McWilliams, the man who came closest to snatching a goal, put it
succinctly enough: ''If we had got a draw it would have been the biggest
robbery since the days of Dick Turpin.''
The class of Metz, a young team packed with quality and promise, was
discernible from very early on in the tie and the gulf between the teams
was such that a 1-0 defeat represented a commendable performance. It
could easily have been a lot worse if the Metz goal-scorer, Cyrille
Pouget, had been more accurate in his finishing. He should have had at
least scored a hat trick and there were two or three other chances which
the slick French team engineered.
However, the Scots do deserve credit for the way they stuck to their
task all the way through, especially in the extraordinary humidity that
left them exhausted and many pounds lighter by the end.
That was one reason why John Lambie was not too disappointed. ''I know
we might have stolen a draw,'' he said, ''but to be honest they looked a
tremendous side. I have not seen movement in a team like that for years.
It would be a dream to manage a side like that. I would fancy my chances
in the premier division with them.''
Once he finished his eulogy on Metz, the manager reverted to type when
he pointed out that the tie also demonstrated how much he needs to find
two or three new players.
''When you see the width a team like Metz can get in their play it
shows how much we need the type of player in midfield who can control a
game,'' said Lambie.
''The main thing for our players was the experience. They had never
been up against a European team of that quality before and they all
agree that it was the best side they have faced. They'll remember it for
long enough, and even if we lost, the supporters enjoyed the trip.''
Lambie has not abandoned hope that Thistle will qualify for the next
stage, but that now looks to be possible only as one of the four best
runners-up. He expects Metz to win their last two games, but if Thistle
can beat Zagreb they would be in with a chance of reaching the last 16.
The manager knows also that the club has taken a gamble by
participating in the Intertoto Cup and admits that he does not know the
answer to the main question: Will the exercise have a serious effect on
the players' fitness later in the season? But he seems confident that it
is no more demanding than a pre-season tour.
The last game for Thistle in the section is against Zagreb at Firhill
in two weeks' time, but before that they are off to the Canaries for a
week's break.
McWilliams, who is unable to make the trip for family reasons, nearly
scored one of the finest goals of any Thistle player when he and Tom
Smith worked a marvellous one-two which finished with him side-stepping
the keeper but crashing his shot against the post.
''The ball stuck as I was about to shoot,'' he said. ''It was just one
of those things.''
He is one of 15 Firhill players out of contract, but is likely to opt
for a month-by-month arrangement unless he is given a better deal.
Lambie does not seem all that concerned about the situation, confident
that the list, which includes five regular first-team players, will
shrink once the point is reached when their wages stop.
None of this discontent seems to have any effect on the willingness of
these honest toilers to do their best, however. Not many Scottish sides
could have achieved any better than they did playing in such heat -- it
had been over 100 degrees during the day -- against a genuine smart
side.
Thistle's summer European adventure may be just about over, but from
their point of view at least they will have considered it very
worthwhile.
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