ALAN ARCHIBALD hopes Partick Thistle can be pitch perfect between now and the end of the season as they adapt to suit sub-standard surfaces.

The Jags host St Johnstone this afternoon aiming to take a significant step towards Premiership safety and give themselves breathing space at the foot of the table.

Archibald's side have struggled to hit the heights in recent weeks as their free-flowing attacking play has been stifled by the deterioration of pitches across the country.

The Firhill boss said: "I think everyone has to take a look at how they play at this time of the season. The pitches make it more difficult to play the style of football we like and we have to adapt our game accordingly.

"We've noticed that in the last three or four weeks and the necessity to get the ball forward more quickly is clear.

"That isn't to say we should go long ball, you just need to look at our performance a few weeks ago on a poor Tannadice pitch to see that we can play great football on bobbly pitches.

"The main thing is that we adjust to fit the conditions and to do that our tempo has to be right."

Thistle head into the Saints clash just four points ahead of Ross County following their 1-0 defeat in Dingwall last weekend.

It took the Jags until the penultimate day of Premiership action to secure their top-flight status last term and Archibald is keen to build on that achievement this time out.

He said: "I think we can draw on where we were last season when we were in a difficult position playing tough, tough matches.

"I have no doubt we have enough quality to be well clear by the end of the season."