The Jags head to East End Park tomorrow aiming to close the gap on Irn-Bru First Division leaders Morton to just two points.
But they will need to improve on a shocking away record that has seen them go without a win on the road since beating Livingston in September.
Since that 2-1 triumph, they have played eight league matches away from Firhill without a win and interim boss Archibald knows he must find a remedy to their ills.
He said: "The first goal is vital and we need a good defensive performance so we can build on the two clean sheets we have had at home recently.
"That would be massive for us and give us a chance. I don't think it is a mental thing. We go out to win every game and maybe that is part of the reason we haven't won as many away games.
"We treat every game the same. Away teams sometimes sit in, but we don't seem to do that, we just go and play the same way.
"It is hard because we are geared up to play the one way and that is to win the game. It is trying to get a happy medium because you don't want to take anything away from the boys.
"The strongest part of our team is the attacking way we play football. We will have a look at it, but we don't want to lose our cutting edge."
With Morton out of action due to Hamilton Accies' participation in the William Hill Scottish Cup, the trip to Fife gives Thistle a chance to heap the pressure on their title rivals.
Archibald will be without midfield duo Hugh Murray and Paul Paton due to suspension.
BUT he hopes to pile more misery on the financially-striken Pars to continue their promotion push.
He said: "It was a hard game for us through there at the start of the season, but we got the early goal.
"Their off-field problems have affected them, but I have had reports from their game with Morton on Saturday and they were the better team in the first half.
"I think their heads went down after they lost the first goal, which maybe has something to do with their off-field problems.
"It is a massive blow having Murray and Paton missing. They are both experienced.
"It is a bit of a problem for us but there are boys keen to play. It is up to them to go and show they are good enough."
