Partick Thistle manager Mark Wilson admits his side have to be stronger defensively if they are to win promotion to the Scottish Premiership in the play-offs.
Thistle completed an unbeaten season at home for the time in 24 years last night with a 1-1 draw against Queen’s Park.
However manager Wilson hopes that the performance level doesn’t creep into their play-off ties against either Dunfermline Athletic or Arbroath.
He said: “I think everybody will have seen we’ve utilised these few games to get a couple of the boys, who were long-term injuries, up to speed.
“I think that first half, that [goal] was the only good thing we did, but how many could we have been down?
“From our point of view, there was no pressure on the ball, which is not what I’d planned.
“I made it clear to the players that I wanted to go out on a high and I wanted to preserve this home record, which of course we’ve did, I’m really pleased at that.
“That’s the most chances we’ve gave up all season, and I’m not talking about half chances, I’m talking real, clear-cut ones.
“If we’ve any chance of progressing through the play-offs, we need to be much tighter as a unit.”
The result meant that the Jags completed the Championship season undefeated at Firhill, and Wilson believes anything they can take this into these play-offs to their advantage.
“When you look at us against Arbroath, we’ve failed to beat them this year. Dunfermline, we’ve sort of got the better of them.
“But anything can happen in the play-offs and that’s why you have to rely on your home form.
“We’ve been really strong here at Firhill. We don’t give up much when we come here in terms of chances. We’re relentless with our play and with our pressure.
“But tonight was just a wee bit the opposite. But I suppose, if I look at it, I’d rather give up that many chances tonight than in the play-offs. So hopefully we’ve got it our system.”
Thistle have drawn three times and lost once to Arbroath this season, whilst boasting a better record over Dunfermline with one draw and three victories. Wilson however, has no preferred opponent for the play-off semi-final.
“I have no real preference at all, because I know how fraught and how unpredictable play-offs are.
“You’re never quite sure what is going to happen. Obviously, all three side will be looking to roll out their best performances and maybe some of us will get that.
“Arbroath have been stuffy, they’ve been hard to play against, we’ve maybe not taken our own opportunities when we should’ve.
“I think Dunfermline, technically very, very good. And we’ve seen how successful a season they’ve had. They’ve got real danger, real threats. But I suppose in the games against Dunfermline, we’ve maybe been clinical when we’ve been on top in the game.
“I’ll be a keen watcher of the games between them, and it’s a hard one to call, but I really wouldn’t have any preference and they’re all going to be tight games.”
