“We supported the United boys when they played Eskview a couple of weeks ago and they did the same when we played Eskview. I’m confident that we’ll do battle on the field and be mates off it.
“It’s great the work that Corey Adams (United player-coach) is doing there and full credit to them for the results they’re getting.
“It is a local derby but I like to think that every game is a big game, and the boys look forward to playing every game.
“United have quality players all over the park, some of whom have spent the past few years with us at Thistle, so we have a fair idea of what to expect this weekend.
“We know how good they are. The boys know what they need to do and have been working hard in training all week.”
Thistle will be without their most experienced defender, Liam Ryan (suspended), and he will be sorely missed against one of the best attacks in the competition.
The Adams brothers, Harris and Marfell all have pace and skill, and if Stu Cranswick comes off the bench, he will be a handful for the Jags defence.
“Apart from Liam, everyone else is fit, which will make selecting the match-day squad a dilemma but a good one,” Blair said.
“We pride ourselves on our defence and the last two goals scored against us have been own goals.
“Having George Andrew back (from a football scholarship in the United States) has strengthened our defence and in Cole Devonport we have another defender to shore up our backline.”
Thistle could have an edge in the midfield, with Olly Tilley, Nicky Land and Ander Batarrita all experienced players.
“It’s going to take a full team performance this weekend so I expect everyone will be key,” Blair said.
United are six points behind competition leaders Napier City Rovers Seconds, who play fourth-placed Napier Marist tomorrow.
“This is a big game for us, the biggest of the season,” Corey Adams said.
“The boys are fizzing, we definitely want this one. It’s a local derby and with the two Napier sides playing each other, it’s a chance for us to stretch the lead on Marist or, if they win — and we hope they do — close the gap on Napier City Rovers.”
Apart from Noy Paull, who is working, United have a full-stength squad to choose from.
With the pace and skill of both Adams brothers, Josh Harris, Israel Whitley, Malcolm Marfell and Stu Cranswick, they have one of the best attacks in the competition.
“We know we can score goals,” Corey Adams said.
“If our defence keeps a clean sheet we only have to score one.”
United may be top dogs going into the game but in derby matches, the team who turn up on the day and want it more will win.
