High Times

Too many times already Thistle have found themselves outmuscled and outjumped in the box in a league where defenders are six foot plus and built like Jason Statham.

After an impressive start to his loan spell last term, Gray all too often flattered to deceive, and after the Ibrox cup tie he looked lacklustre at best, frustrating at worse. This time round he looks fired up and clearly has soemthing to prove - not necessarily a surprise after watching Hibs' goals dry up during pre-season.

But Gray - and Buchananananananan when he's back and fit - need support. Both of them are good strikers but the lack the physical presence needed to break through the defences in this league, and while Donnelly finally, after two years of utter dross, looks like he could come good this year, a big powerhouse up front could be the answer.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating route one, lump it up to the big man stuff. Thistle play some great football when everything gels, but the Forfar cup debacle went from the sublime to the ridiculous all too often. All that intricate passing around the box works well if you're Barcelona and you've got a Messi, Henri or Eto'o to capitalise. We don't have that, and we need something to give Thistle another option.

Defensively we look sound, and Tuffey remains by far and away the best young keeper in the league, even if his kicking is at times suspect. Midfield shows promise, with Harkins, when he focuses on what he does well, capable of dictating a game. But it's the front line where reinforcements are urgently required - not a panic signing like a Mooc or Paul Keegan, but a big, powerful penalty box player who can give us another outlet.

But happy times at Firhill so far. I was sceptical when people were tipping us as promotion candidates before the season started. But we might yet just surprise people.