Mair: We need to be more streetwise
New Partick defender Lee Mair believes the Jags need to show more savvy if they are to end their miserable record at home.
The Jags have not tasted victory in a league match for nine months and blew their latest chance to end that long wait for a Firhill win when they allowed Kilmarnock to snatch a last-gasp equaliser on Saturday.
That Scottish Premiership match was former St Mirren defender Mair's first glance at his new team-mates and the 33-year-old believes they need to learn to be more cunning when it comes to seeing games out, starting against St Johnstone when they visit Maryhill on Tuesday.
"I can't understand why Thistle have struggled at home all season," said the centre-half after seeing his new side drop into the relegation play-off spot.
"Having seen the way we played against Killie, we should have been out of sight by half-time.
"Maybe we just need to add a bit of ruthlessness in front of goal and be a bit more streetwise. We've got St Johnstone on Tuesday and it's important we learn lessons quickly, especially with where we are in the table."
Mair found himself frozen out of the Saints line-up by Buddies boss Danny Lennon before being finally released last week.
But he was relieved to be back in action, saying: "It was good to get back to playing on Saturday and to get another 90 minutes under my belt.
"It all happened so quickly. I was released by St Mirren on Thursday night, signed for Partick and trained with with boys on Friday before going straight into the game against Killie on Saturday.
"But that is the way you want it, straight into the games. I wouldn't say I'm 100 per cent fit yet but that will come.
"Unfortunately the game has not panned out the way I'd have liked because I felt we deserved the three points. it's a sore one to take."
Meanwhile, Tommy Wright will not appeal the red card goalkeeper Alan Mannus picked up against Hearts on Saturday, leaving veteran Steve Banks to take over in goal for the trip.
The McDiarmid Park boss will challenge referee Brian Colvin's decision to send off Steven Anderson for deeming the Saints defender had denied Dale Carrick an obvious goalscoring opportunity in the 21st minute of an incident-packed 3-3 draw with the Jambos which means he will feature at Firhill.
However, Wright looked again at the Mannus incident which took place amid a mass brawl near the end of the game when his fellow Northern Irishman squared up to Ryan Stevenson before both were sent packing, and will take no action which means Banks, 41, will add to the three appearances he made at the start of the season.
"We are going to appeal Steven Anderson's red card," Wright told Press Association Sport.
"My mind hasn't changed from Saturday but we will not appeal Alan Mannus's one.
"There is contact between two players and that can't be denied so the club and I don't think there are enough grounds to appeal.
"Steven Banks will come into goal, he did extremely well when he played earlier in the season."
Wright will also be without Murray Davidson after a serious knee injury saw the midfielder taken away in an ambulance at half-time, but he had more encouraging news about kit man Tommy Campbell who was also rushed to hospital with chest pains.
The Saints manager said: "It is a massive blow, I thought Murray was getting back to his best.
"He will have an operation tomorrow and we wish him a speed recovery but we don't know the time scale.
"I spoke to Tommy's wife yesterday and I think he was being released from hospital last night.
"They are still doing further tests and they are waiting on results to come back but I think he has stabilised and that is a good sign."
Source: PA
