ALAN ARCHIBALD admits Partick Thistle need to fly out of the traps and rekindle their passing game if they are to banish the memories of their St Mirren slump.

The Jags went into the Buddies clash last Friday night having scored seven goals in their previous two outings against Hamilton Accies and Kilmarnock, but were shot-shy as the Saints clinched a 1-0 win.

The Thistle forward line has been given a timely boost after the deadline-day swoop to sign striker Lyle Taylor on loan from Scunthorpe for the remainder of the campaign.

Taylor could make his second bow in red and yellow this weekend, and Firhill boss Archibald hopes his side will get back to doing what they are good at when they return to action against Inverness Caley Thistle.

He said: "We asked them at half-time against St Mirren to move the ball quickly and switch it from side to side, something we are good at normally, but our passing was poor. That was a real disappointment because there weren't many players that had good pass rates.

"Playing long balls maybe comes from frustration, and St Mirren had dropped back five or ten yards. Sometimes you think that is the best thing to do, but it is not something we encourage or suits our play.

"We had to open them up. It is hard when you lose the first goal, especially if you don't hit back right away. We had plenty of time to get a goal and we couldn't do it, which was really disappointing.

"We have got to be patient and the boys have to do what we are good at, moving the ball quickly and getting in behind teams.

"When teams sit in, the slower you move the ball the harder it is because you allow them a chance to get back into shape.

"For some reason, panic sets in with 25 minutes to go and we started playing aimless, long balls."

Thistle head into the Caley clash aiming to record their third win of the campaign over John Hughes' side and book their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

The Jags were 3-1 winners at Firhill on Premiership duty in September before romping to a 4-0 success in the Highlands just before Christmas.

The cup-tie gives Thistle a chance to get quickly get back on track, and Archibald is determined to complete a hat-trick of Inverness triumphs.

He said: "We are looking forward to the cup game. We can look away from the league for a week and hopefully get into the next round.

"It will be a tough tie against Inverness, but we have got enough quality to win the game. Our form has been okay at home, despite that loss last Friday night.

"We beaten Inverness here already, and the good thing about both games against them is that we have scored goals and looked a threat.

"We have moved the ball well and used the full-backs really well. If we can match that kind of performance, along with the energy and the desire, then we won't be far away."