Partick V Motherwell at Firhill Stadium : Match Preview

28 December 2013 13:31
Partick V Motherwell - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Balatoni: Confidence is fine

Partick Thistle defender Conrad Balatoni insists confidence is not a problem as they bid to end an eight-game run without victory when they host Motherwell on Sunday.


Alan Archibald's side are still searching for their first home win in the Scottish Premiership after they were held to a goalless draw against Inverness on Boxing Day.


But Balatoni was encouraged by the number of chances they created and the fact they kept a clean sheet.


The centre-back told his club's official website: "It hasn't been an issue, everyone's confident, it's just the results haven't been coming.


"We've been performing well and we just haven't been getting the breaks and conceding silly goals, it's not good.


"Obviously it might have a wee effect but the gaffer and Scott (Paterson) try and keep our confidence up and we have to go into each game confident and believing in ourselves. We've got a really good bunch of guys and we're all confident in our ability."


Balatoni is continuing to look ahead after Thistle once again missed a series of chances in their game against Inverness, days after doing the same in a 2-1 loss to Kilmarnock.


The former Hearts trainee said: "Christmas is a big period with loads of games in it. We were disappointed with how things went against Kilmarnock but we got a point against Inverness and it's a busy period with loads of games to play and plenty of points to pick up. It gives you the chance to move up the table.


"We've got to take our chances and continue to keep things tight and hopefully we'll start picking up some wins.


"Motherwell are a good side and we've got to take the performance from the Inverness match, especially defensively, into that game. We'll take confidence from the display and the way we defended."


Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has told his players that their lofty league position means nothing at this stage of the season.


McCall hailed the character of his squad on Boxing Day after they moved into second spot in the Scottish Premiership after bouncing back from adversity.


Motherwell began December on the back of one of the worst results in their history - a William Hill Scottish Cup defeat by League Two strugglers Albion Rovers - and followed that with a 5-0 home defeat by Celtic.


But they go into the final game of 2013 against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Sunday in second place following three consecutive wins.


After battling to victory against Ross County, they swept St Mirren aside 3-0 and kept the run going with an impressive 1-0 win at Aberdeen on Boxing Day.


But McCall does not want his team to be distracted by their league placing ahead of games against Thistle, St Johnstone and Inverness in the space of seven days.


McCall told MFCTV: "It means nothing at this stage. We have three more games in this festive period.


"It's the amount of points you amass that is important. We don't get carried away by league tables, especially when it's so tight. They can fluctuate from one week to another.


"The main thing was to go up there and win the game and it's a great tribute to the squad."


McCall added: "It's a terrific three points, three wins on the trot as well but it's a low profile from us because football can change so quickly, as it has proved in the last month.


"But I think what it has proved, after the two defeats we had and the flak that came our way, and rightly so, I think lesser squads might have crumbled.


"But they have shown a backbone and that's all important.


"We said we had a good dressing room and they have come out and shown that."


Source: PA