“Something had to change to be honest.
“I thought we were guilty of missing two or three opportunities in the first half, like any home game you've got to try and make the most of those opportunities and get your noses in front and unfortunately we didn't.
“We asked the players at half time to dig deep and to find more spark and more pace and tempo to our game. The conditions weren't great with the swirling wind and the pitch wasn't great for us.
“We had to dig deep to try and find a spark to our play.
“We had to overcome a very well organised Partick Thistle team, they asked questions of us today. Alan (Archibald) set up in a way that I thought he would do, with trying to double up in the wider areas. We couldn't get Jonny and Niall into the game. I think in home games playing against teams who are well organised those two are very important for us.
“We tried Jonny Hayes through the middle to try and nullify that.
“But something had to change.
“I thought we started the second half with a bit of impetus but then we got into a familiar pattern. So we had to try and change it.
“We then put a McGinn and Hayes more in a wing back roll to try and receive the ball a bit flatter and further away from goal, at least it would give them a chance to run at the opposition a bit more.
“I thought the players responded brilliantly. You can make changes but the two boys that came on – Ryan and Jayden – I'm delighted for both. It shows the importance of being ready and it shows the importance of the squad that we've got.
“We thought long and hard about which centre forward to put on – Jayden or Miles. Because Thistle were defending their box deep there was no real space to work in behind so we thought we needed a more penalty box striker in Jayden. That's why he went on.
“But you still need to bring quality.
“The quality of the delivery from McGinn and the quality and determination from Stockley to get on the end of it. He's scored some very important goals for us. I'm so pleased for him because he's a boy who is desperate to do well at Aberdeen. The little combination between him and Christie for the second goal was excellent.
“I think it was a fairer reflection of the game and the players got stronger and stronger once we got in front and they deserve so much credit for being asked the question and finding a way to win. I think that's a good trademark to have the way they dug that out today.
“We said prior to today's game about the next three games. Two league games, two home games can help us get to second spot on our own and try to get into the last eight of the Scottish Cup. We've got a tough game against a Ross County next week but we got there in a confident mood – we are in a good place at the minute. That's six wins in the last seven games – and the defeat at Celtic Park was still a decent performance.
“I feel there are a lot of players playing with a lot of confidence at the minute. Even when we weren't at our best today individually I thought we had enough about us to go on and win the game. It takes all different types of performances to win games and hopefully we can win the next two and be pleased with our work after that.”
“The changes helped but the boys on the pitch still found a way. They never know when they are beaten. They keep going. That is such an identity of our team. We have shown it time and time again over the last few years.
“We huffed and puffed for long spells. Partick frustrated us and Partick are a good team. Alan has a team there that can get them into the top six. They missed a couple of opportunities themselves. But we found a way to win the game and the players deserves credit. Anthony came on to help us keep our lead and Ryan and Jayden certainly came on and helped us win the game.
“I think a lot of players are playing individually well. We have had the same team for the last seven games now but it still shows you the importance of having options on the bench. We have options for what is needed. We could have put Miles on which I wanted to do because he has been doing well but we went for Jayden.
“Although we have had a settled team it is very important to stress the capabilities of the subs to come. It is different for them because they are team players and they want to the team to win but they are itching to play their part. They are ready because of their training. All three boys who came on today played their part.”
“There is still a lot of football to be played. There are 15 league games. We recognise we are in a fight. We are not going to wait until the last few games to recognise that. I think the league table is what we thought it would look like. There are no real surprises. As long as we are there in 15 games time, that is all I am concerned about.”
“There is still a lot of football to be played. There are 15 league games. We recognise we are in a fight. We are not going to wait until the last few games to recognise that. I think the league table is what we thought it would look like. There are no real surprises. As long as we are there in 15 games time, that is all I am concerned about.”
