Manager on Friday

04/02/11: JM - "It's more important that whoever plays go and express themselves and go and show what good players they are.

Earlier this week Jim McIntyre was photographed in his office with the Scottish Cup but will it return at the end of the season?

"It's one game at a time and this is a huge game." replied the Dunfermline gaffer. "Obviously it's a great game to be involved in.  It's a game players want to be involved in and you want to manage it.  Always a nice break to be involved in big games in the Scottish Cup.  You always want to try and get as good a Cup run as you can and try and bring in a bit of revenue.  The last few seasons we have done quite well and gone out to eventual winners or finalists, so we have done ok."

A big game such as a cup tie at Pittodrie is something to look forward to and the Manager has been telling his side to embrace it.

"Aberdeen are a totally different team from three months ago before Craig Brown went there.  Obviously they were low in confidence and results hadn't gone well so we are facing a different side.  He has also added a couple of players during the transfer window, so his team will have a different look to it."

To avoid some of the squad who live a distance from Dunfermline facing a three hour journey on Sunday, the Pars will be going up to the Granite City on Saturday and staying overnight.

There will be required changes to the team from Firhill last Saturday. Goalkeeper Chris Smith is suspended, Wullie Gibson has gone to Crawley Town and Liam Buchanan is cup tied.

"We know what the team will be.  It's more important that whoever plays go and express themselves and go and show what good players they are.  The chance is there for them to show that they are a good side.  The pressure is on Aberdeen, we are not expected to do well.  The roles are reversed a wee bit from where we find ourselves in the league.

"Wullie Gibson has left and we wish him well. He was a good player for the Club and did very well. There was an offer made that he couldn't really refuse and he wanted to go so he goes with our best wishes. We have good players in the wide areas and its now up to Joe, Paul and Davie to step up to the plate."

The Manager confirmed that Kevin Rutkiewicz was a player he had admired for some time and is available for selection on Sunday but as expected he was not forthcoming with news of who would be in goals against Aberdeen, but he has been running the rule over both Greg Paterson and Kyle Allison.

Happy with the signings of Liam Buchanan and Kevin Rutkiewicz (loan) Macca also confirmed that he was constantly monitoring potential players in midweek and reserve games.

"We think away ahead, all managers do.  It is part and parcel of the job; you don't just address that when the transfer window opens.  We are always looking."

Looking forward to next Thursday's  Meet the Manager night, Jim McIntyre hopes that will be on the back of success at Pittodrie.

"It should be a good night, we are two points off the top of the league and I think anyone would have taken that at the beginning of the season."