Dunfermline Athletic

Manager on Friday

Friday, 9th Oct 2009

09/10/09: "You just don't get an easy game but we must make sure that we give ourselves a platform to go and win a game by defending properly.

Jim McIntyre has had Saturday's opponents Ayr United watched, he knows their manager and a good few of their players. He recognises that they will be well organised and boosted following their 1-0 win over the Rovers last time out.

"They have players who have played at this level and above before and will be a decent side. Their great result over Raith Rovers last week will have given them confidence and they will come to East End with a spring in their step.

"We have got to win the game, it is as simple as that. For all our good play we have got to take three points. Nothing else will do, we must win the battle."

Ayr have experienced players in their squad who will relish returning to a larger stadium. Macca played alongside Mark Roberts at Kilmarnock where the 33 year old made 113 appearances for and his former team mate said:-

"He is a good player, clever and good at taking the ball in. They have players who know what its about.

"You just don't get an easy game but we must make sure that we give ourselves a platform to go and win a game by defending properly. When mistakes keep happening it drains the confidence but even at 4-1 down against Queen of the South they responded; they tried and had loads of attempts at goal. OK Queen of the South sat back but they still tried to do the right things and that's the way we want it, trying to play the game in the way that suits our players.

"We have players who can excite the crowd and hurt teams. We need to do that a bit more and improve our ratio in terms of the final ball and ultimate shot at goal. The ball needs to be put away."

Strikers are not always the ones to look out for as the Manager recalled the contribution from midfielders:-

"Steven Bell scored three goals early on in this season, Nick (Phinn) got off the mark last time out so hopefully others can start contributing. Defenders could maybe nick one or two at corners as well. Its about the team, it is not about individuals - we live or die as a team."

The weekend without a fixture has for once worked in the Pars favour. Andy Dowie and Graeme Holmes would have been out last week with the flu and now four of the six injured players are back in contention.  David Graham has trained all week with no reaction:-

"It is great to have him back because he is a very big player for us who started the season excellently. Glass and Bell are out. Paul Willis hurt himself in training and won't be back in training until Monday.

Positive result from the three games in the next week could radically alter the complexion of the league table

"Good results can turn things quickly, that's the way football is. We have a chance to get a few points on the board but the other teams will be saying the exact same thing. It is up to us to go and get them."

On Tuesday and Saturday Dunfermline will travel the miles up the A9 but Macca doesn't view the long journeys as much of a disadvantage:-

"You are only talking about two and a half hours. It is not as though you are five hours on a plane and the boys will be well prepared. They will be well rested in between games."

Morton Hospitality Deals

The Rollercoaster Years



Views : 3,125


Archived website
This website served as the official Dunfermline Athletic website from season 2006-2007 until season 2022-2023.

Stories, match reports and interviews for these seasons can still be accessed here.

The current DAFC website with up to date information is on this link https://DAFC.co.uk
DAFC Archives
Dunfermline Athletic Heritage Trust. Information on past players, fixtures, league tables and archives can be found at www.daht.org.uk
ParsTV
For Season 2023/2024 SPFL regulations mean that on a Saturday afternoon we have to offer a Subscription service for overseas viewers. This will either be a monthly or a yearly subscription (on a Saturday it is FOR OVERSEAS viewers only - some dates are exempt.) https://ParsTV.co.uk
  • files/CB_Dunfermline_Programme_Ad_300px_v2_9109.jpg
  • files/sms2_red_copy_8356.jpg
  • /files/business_clubadvert_3633.jpg
  • files/Newsletter_advert_9112.jpg
Archives
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1991
1986
1979
1968
1965
1962
1961
1960
1957
1949

To top