Manager likes a replay

04/12/08: "It is not a happy McIntyre household when the result has not gone our way!"

On 4th December Pars gaffer, Jim McIntyre will have been in charge for a whole year and looking back over these 12 months he admits that he never thought that the job would occupy his mind so much.  Of course it's impossible to switch off if you take match recordings home with you!

"You think about it 24/7, I find it hard to switch off. It has been great, I have loved it.I really enjoy the job and enjoy coming to my work every day. I enjoy trying to improve players and its great when you get results.

"You used to get hurt as a player if you didn't get a result, but it's ten times worse as a manager. It is not a happy McIntyre household when the result has not gone our way!"

Jim McIntyre recognises that there is a difference when he is in player mode from manager mode.

"I am one of these players who has always been very vocal and demanding.

"It is important when I do come on the park that I concentrate on being the player and let my staff get on with taking things from the sidelines."

Whether he has taken part or watched from the sidelines, after matches Jim is always very keen to get his hands on the DVD recordings of the matches filmed for him by Pars TV. He says that he uses the recordings to examine every aspect of games.

"For instance in the home game against Dundee we had 34 crosses to their 10. Where we were trying to cross it from was far too deep - it was food and drink for their defenders.

"We worked on that for the Livingston game, trying to get in behind them and down the sides of them to get balls in from there so it is more dangerous.We definitely got that.

"You take what you see in the video on to the training ground during the week.You tell your fullbacks and wide men 'Look where you were crossing the ball from, look at the options'.

"When the full back is on the ball we examine where the strikers are and where your midfielders are in relation to that.  Does the man on the ball get enough options?  You work on everything, every aspect of it."

The Manager considers himself fortunate that his players are just as interested in the video analysis:-

"It has been really beneficial and the players have all taken to it. We have an honest bunch here who want to improve.  It is designed to improve players, not to point at those who never did this or that.It puts a picture in their head.

"I have probably watched the video twice before I come in on a Monday. We have it all tagged into sections as well but I first watch it as normal and then I watch the tagged version.  I note the number of crosses, the goalkeeper distribution, turnovers - giving the ball away and how many times we won it back."

Let's hope it is all worthwhile and there's even better viewing ahead on the McIntyre telly soon.