The Jags go into tomorrow's Palmerston clash nine points ahead of Gus MacPherson's side and at the front of a congested mid-table pack in the Irn-Bru First Division.

The manager has set his sights on at least a fourth-place finish in his first season in the dugout, and he hopes his side are up for the fight.

He said: "First and foremost, we must match Queens in terms of effort and workrate.

"It was a big win for them last weekend against Raith and they will be looking to continue that.

"It will be a battle but, hopefully, we have enough quality to win the game. We don't want to look behind us. We are in fourth place at the moment and I want to finish at least fourth this season.

"There has not been much in the league top to bottom. Ross County have been the exception because they have only lost one game, but the rest of the teams have taken points off each other."

With six points between themselves and third-placed Dundee, the Jags could climb higher in the table.

McNamara could be without Conrad Balatoni, Darren Cole and Kal Naismith for the trip to Dumfries as the trio battle to overcome knocks.

Thistle have dazzled and frustrated in recent weeks, turning in impressive performances against Hamilton and Falkirk but disappointing as they crashed 3-0 Ross County. McNamara hopes it is the best of Thistle on show this weekend at Palmerston.

He said: "I thought we played well against Hamilton, especially in the first half when we could have scored more goals.

"Chris Erskine scored against the run of play when Hamilton had possession but it was a good result for us.

"At Ross County, we struggled with the conditions and we were poor but then we went to Falkirk and played well.

"We got a draw but it should have been a win. We haven't been far away but should be winning more games and that is a mentality thing. Even when not playing well, you have to pick up points."