Archibald wants players to take initiative

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald has urged his team to take the initiative as they face their second managerless team in succession.

Thistle lost 2-1 to Motherwell last Saturday after Stephen Craigan stepped in as caretaker boss at Fir Park following the sacking of Ian Baraclough.

This week Thistle host a Dundee United side being looked after by Dave Bowman following the removal of Archibald's predecessor as Jags boss, Jackie McNamara.

United have only won once in the league this season but Thistle have not won any of their 10 games this term and Archibald is eager for them to get the first goal.

Archibald said: "Last week against Motherwell they got the first goal and they got a lift. if we can do that this week it would be massive for us.

"They are on a similar type of tun to us and we have a chance to go above them. It's a massive incentive for everyone at the club.

"Motherwell got a lift on Saturday, you could see that with the crowd and the atmosphere about the place. I think it was because it was Stephen Craigan, that's why they got that reaction.

"Hopefully it's different this week. We're at home and it shouldn't affect it too much, we just need to get on with it.''

Having seen two managers in the league lose their jobs, Archibald is fully aware he needs results at Firhill.

Although he has done extremely well in his first two and a half years as a manager, leading Thistle to promotion and two impressive and safe campaigns in the top flight, the 37-year-old knows any manager's job is relatively precarious.

"I don't think it's a worry, you are just always aware of it and you know it can be around the corner,'' he said.

"That's the nature of the beast, a couple of bad results and you can be out of a job.

"I know Jackie personally and Simon (Donnelly) and the team. I'm very disappointed for them and I feel for them.

"But I think we all know that's the business we are in. Every manager knows when you take a job it can be short term and it can be long term.''