Manager on Hogmanay

Two years after taking on the Manager's job, Jim McIntyre agrees an extension to his contract that keeps him at Dunfermline until June 2011.

News that Manager Jim McIntyre has agreed a one year extension to his contract is a great boost to the Club going into the New Year derby against Raith Rovers.

Of his contract extension, Macca said, "I'm absolutely delighted. It's something we've been talking about for the past few weeks so it's great we've come to an agreement. The board have been great with me and can see what we're trying to do."

The one year extension includes Assistant Gerry McCabe who along with Jim McIntyre has worked on a real over-haul at the club with the player pool changing considerably since they took over officially on 3rd January 2008.

"It's something we had to do and was really important. We had a lot of players who were on SPL salaries and we had to make changes slowly but surely. The board have given me the scope to bring in another player and there's work going on behind the scenes on that."

Jim McIntyre and Gerry McCabe feel that progress has been made but acknowledge that consistency levels need to improve:-

"We are constantly striving to get better but given the turnaround in players it is going to take time."

The elements have been a real trial for every football club in Scotland this week given the sustained spell of severe weather. Macca explained:-

"All the clubs are in the same boat because we cannot use outdoor astroturf. We have been trying to find the best available indoor training facilities over the past fortnight."

For the Pars this week it meant three days training in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow - where Airdrie, Kilmarnock and Clyde were also booked in - then an afternoon spinning session (run by former Pars keeper Roddy McKenzie) on the bikes at Hamilton.

The Manager said:-

"You have to be on the ball to get the best places because there's so few of them. It's a sad reflection of the state of training facilities in Scotland. It's a shambles and the Government needs to look at Lottery funding to help improve facilities."

Given the problems he faces just trying to keep his team fit, the Dunfermline boss is firmly behind the idea of a switch to a playing season from March to November.

"I would support summer football as in the Republic of Ireland. In terms of coaching successfully you can't have players standing around being coached in this cold weather."

Raith Rovers are the visitors on 2nd January; the Manager said:-

"We were really disappointed that last week's game at Airdrie was postponed but I'm really looking forward to Saturday's. We've been involved in three really good games against them so far - they have been entertaining spectacles - and it's been great to be part of the big game atmosphere. Raith are a dangerous side and we will be stretched with only 18 fit players."

Scott Muirhead is out having picked up an ankle knock in training this week. Stephen Glass and Graham Bayne are still ruled out.

The squad will train at East End Park on New Years Day since there is absolutely nowhere else open to them where there would be a suitable playing surface. A decision will be made on the morning whether or not they actually use the pitch.

Pars Chairman John Yorkston commented earlier this week on the extension to the management team's contracts:-

"We see what's happening about the place and we're happy with the performances and the attractive style of play. We're enjoying matches now which was not always been the case with teams in the past. The results this season have not always been what we wanted but we can see the way Jim is taking the club."