Creators of own downfall
Monday, 22nd Jan 2018"We wanted to be through to the next round but our main focus is making sure that we are as high up in the league as possible
Declan McManus thought that Dunfermline had more than enough of Saturday`s cup game to win it. He told the media:-
"We created a lot more chances than Morton. They had maybe three or four shots on target and they have scored two. In that aspect it is a hard one to take and I think we were creators of our own downfall.
"Their goals were a bit too easy but also up top we did not take enough of the chances that we created. All in all it was a disappointing day."
The 23 year old striker had got the Pars back in the Cup tie equalising Gary Oliver`s first half strike with a 57th minute goal and there was hope that would have spurred the Fifers into going on to win the tie. He felt that Dunfermline should have won through to the Fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup:-
"Even before they had scored in the first half I felt that we were the better team. After they scored we dipped a bit but we managed to get ourselves back into it. I got my goal and then Nicky (Clark) had a header that brought a great save out of big Gaston. We had the ball cleared off the line and had the momentum then.
"They kept us out and the longer it goes like that it is anybodies game. They hit us on the counter and it was not good enough from us. We have to learn from it."
To be knocked out the cup by a late Jai Quitongo is a blow admitted the Pars striker who felt that a cup run would have complimented their league ambitions.
Next up on Friday night is a home league match against St Mirren and it is important that the momentum of winning three successive league matches is knocked by the cup knock out. Declan continued:-
"It was a Cup game, we want to win every game and we want to be through to the next round but our main focus is making sure that we are as high up in the league as possible.
"It will be a massive game against the boys at the top. We have beaten them here already so we will be going out to close that gap and make sure that come the Saturday when everyone else plays, that we are closer to the top.
"We want to close the gap and come the end of the season be in a play off spot. Right now the play offs are realistic but we want to keep pushing St Mirren and Dundee United. If they slip up then we want to be the ones who will capitalise on it.
"We are looking forward to it, it is a big game and I`m sure as we have showed before against them, if we turn up at our best we can beat them."
To win in the remaining 15 league matches it will be important to take chances and on Saturday there were plenty with the main creator being Ryan Williamson. Declan described him as a massive threat for Dunfermline.
"He shows that week on week out but on Saturday me as a striker, Nicky or even the midfielders never got in the right areas for some of his crosses. That is something that we need to work on and make sure that when Ryso makes chances like that, that we are there to put them away."
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