James and the giant task

"I will be out doing runs, sprints and get myself fitter and stronger. I want to hit the deck running next season, it is going to be rapid. I am going to be a monster as well!"

Striker James Thomas was the Pars goalscorer at Pittodrie on Monday night and he was delighted with his team's performance against the Aberdeen side that had just clinched the SPFL Development League title.

"We went into it knowing that it would be a tough game but it wasn't as tough as we thought the league champions were going to be. We were quite unfortunate to go 2-1 down. I thought the second goal was offside and then Jamie made a mistake for the third. That happens but he will pick himself up, he is a really good goalkeeper.

"We lost the game 3-1 but the boys worked hard from the start to the final whistle. They were outstanding, I couldn't fault any of the boys tonight."

The scoreline could have been in the Pars favour at half time had the luck gone their way, James agreed:-

"There were a few chances both in the first half and the second half. One came to me and I tried to get round the ball but I was beyond the post, couldn't connect well and the keeper has made a good save."

James was given a new striking partner in 16 year old Johnny Galloway:-

"He came in from the under seventeens and he was different class. He has played a few games now and has stepped into that number ten role and performed outstandingly. He got three or four shots away and was superb.

The scoreline could have been in the Pars favour at half time had the luck gone their way, James agreed:-

"There were a few chances both in the first half and the second half. One came to me and I tried to get round the ball but I was beyond the post, couldn't connect well and the keeper had made a good save."

James was given a new striking partner in 16 year old Johnny Galloway:-

"He came in from the under seventeens and he was different class. He has played a few games now and has stepped into that number ten role and performed outstandingly. He got three or four shots away and was superb.

"Shaun Byrne in the second half, beat a few men and rounded the keeper. We were just unfortunate that we did not get a penalty. We had our fair share of chances and could have got a result out of the game.

"Aberdeen deserved to win the league, they have had a great team this season and well done to them all."

Seventeen year old James enjoyed the match at Pittodrie all the more because he was up against an Aberdeen legend, Russell Anderson:-

"It was really good playing against these experienced players. I thought he could be a bit slower than me because I am younger but we didn't play to my strengths, I like the ball over the top and in behind.

"With me playing lone striker it wasn't ideal getting the ball into my body. I am quite lightweight so it was just coming through to the back of me. I thought I should have won a few more free kicks than I got."

The equaliser scored by James was his sixteenth goal of the season meaning he claimed the top goalscorer at the club acclaim.

"Hopefully I have set a target; I want to score over twenty goals next season. Sixteen in my first full time season is pretty good considering the playing time I have had. I would like more regular 20s games next season, starting more often. That would allow me more time to get goals.

"I am feeling more confident in myself. I am not going to lie, I am pretty confident in front of goal so I will take that challenge on and I think I will definitely win it."

James is tired of everyone at the club telling him that he is needing to bulk up so he is going to spend the six weeks of close season to work hard and bulk up.

"I want to get a step in front of the other boys if they don't do it. It will mean the gym three or four times per week. I will be out doing runs, sprints and get myself fitter and stronger. I want to hit the deck running next season, it is going to be rapid. I am going to be a monster as well!"