ALAN ARCHIBALD hopes Aberdeen’s arrival can help bring about a bright new Don for Partick Thistle – just as it did 18 months ago.

During the 2013/14 campaign, it took the Jags until February before they managed to record their first top-flight home league win of the season, which came in a 3-1 triumph over the team from the Granite City.

Fast forward to the present day, and it’s a slightly different poor run of results that the Thistle manager is looking to bring to an end.

Six games in and the Maryhill side have yet to record a win both in the Ladbrokes Premiership or League Cup, a competition they exited on Tuesday in a 1-0 defeat to Falkirk.

Now Aberdeen are pitching up at Firhill once again tomorrow, Archibald knows his team are more than capable of digging out a result against the Reds to triumph over adversity.

He said: “A couple of years ago, we got a win against Aberdeen in the February that ended a long run of not winning any games at home.

“But I wouldn’t say we had a good record against them. That was probably game we’ve won against them out of the last six we’ve played in the Premiership.

“We will take heart from that, however. We think we can hurt them if we’re good on our day, but we need to do everything better than the other night and create a really high tempo, which we haven’t done in the previous two games.”

While the Dons team from that landmark game contained the likes of Mark Reynolds, Niall McGinn, Jonny Hayes and Willo Flood, the side that will line-up in Glasgow tomorrow is even stronger.

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has built a strong squad and has since added the likes of Liverpool goalie Danny Ward on loan as well Graeme Shinnie, Paul Quinn and most recently Josh Parker.

Some may think going up against one of the strongest teams in the Premiership is the last thing a team struggling for a win needs, but Archibald disagrees.

He said: “The games certainly don’t get any easier. You’re on a bad run and then you get Aberdeen!

“It’s a good game to get up for, though. The players will enjoy playing against the second-best team in the country last season.

“We’re aware it will be a very tough test but we did okay against them at the end of last season and we’ll be looking for a similar type of performance.”

He added: “We give every team respect, but we’ll just look at their weaknesses and see where we can exploit them.

“They have a big, strong squad, and I think that’s their main strength this year. They’ve brought in two captains from other teams and that’s really enhanced them.”

Only a few days are left before the close of the summer transfer window and Archibald is keen to get more fresh faces in.

The Jags boss admitted they missed out on one target only this week, but is aiming to secure at least another two fresh faces before close of play on Tuesday night.

He said: “We’re still looking to bring in players but it’s the same old story - you could play a tape!

“We’ve missed out on a couple as usual but we definitely need competition in a couple of areas of the pitch.

“There is scope to bring people in but not a big budget. Hopefully with some players getting desperate, budgets being readjusted, and people moving on, space will be freed up.

“Ideally we can bring in at least two, whether it’s after the deadline or not. We’re short in the full-back area.

“We missed out on a player during the week because he went elsewhere for more money and that’s just the way it is.

“A wee bit of movement elsewhere, with players becoming surplus to requirements, could help us. We’re looking for anything we can get - loans and permanent signings.”