Manager on Thursday
Thursday, 17th Dec 202017/12/20: SC - “What we have to take from that now is the hunger. In every Championship match that we go into now, I hope that we can maintain that commitment level and application.
Stevie Crawford insists that his side must take confidence and heart from their match against St Johnstone on Tuesday night rather than the disappointment of not getting to the semi final.”
“We have had a couple of days now to get over just missing out on the semi final. Looking back on that game against St Johnstone, it was very satisfying that after a tough opening part to the game that we managed to go head to head with them.
“After going a goal down in extra time we got ourselves back into the game and the reality is that it is cruel to lose out on penalty kicks but no disgrace.”
The Pars manager felt that his side’s performance was a good advert for the Championship:-
“I have said that Premiership teams have no divine right to go and beat any team in the Championship. It shows that there is quality in the Championship and speaking to Callum Davidson after the game, he knows that we pushed them all the way.
“They are an established Premiership club that have done well for a number of years now. We just have to try and carry a bit of confidence from that now. You will not get many tougher teams than St Johnstone to play against but we can try and use that experience into the Dundee game on Saturday.”
Before talking about the Dundee game Stevie was asked about the noticeable dialogue between the two managers during the game. Stevie explained:-
“I have a lot of respect for Callum he came in and worked with me. Alongside him I learned a lot in his time at Dunfermline. We have spoken for a number of years when we were on the Pro Licence course and he has put a shape to St Johnstone after a tricky spell at the start of his management career when he could not get a victory. He has now put a string of wins together, he is a good character Callum and I wish him every success in management.”
To be fair in his post match comments Callum complimented Stevie and he added:- “It is nice to hear things like that, it is replicated with myself and the feeling is mutual with Callum.”
“What we have to take from that now is the hunger. In every Championship match that we go into now, I hope that we can maintain that commitment level and application.
“You are never guaranteed to win games of football but if you can apply yourself like we did on Tuesday night then we give ourselves an opportunity to win games.”
Last time you went to Dens seven goals, a player sent off?
“Thinking back to that one, we were 4-1 down when we went down to ten men. We managed to get ourselves back into it and had a couple of opportunities near the end to make it four each.
“It was an exciting game but I think games against Dundee there is always an excitement to them. There are goals in them and hopefully Saturday will be the same.
“Dundee went up to Inverness at the weekend and drew 2-2. They managed to get a late goal to get back level after being ahead earlier in the game. They are starting to find their feet and it is never an easy place to go Dens Park but again it will be a good advert for the Scottish Championship.
“Dundee are a strong side who are maybe a bit under the radar. They maybe didn’t get off to a great start, it is not a case of taking anything for granted when you go up to Dens. I enjoyed going there as a player because I always think it is a decent game of football.
“We are going up there with a mindset of trying to win the game. It is important after the set back against Morton that we apply ourselves properly and take heart from the St Johnstone performance to give ourselves the chance to do that.”
After Lee Ashcroft left Dunfermline in the summer he joined Dundee and so could destroy any enjoyment from the trip for Stevie and his strikers. SC commented:-
“Lee has moved on after a number of years. In terms of his dedication and application when he was at Dunfermline, he was very good in what he gave the club. I know that he is respected by Dunfermline fans and everybody here who has worked with Lee thinks a lot of him.
“It will be a strange one for him but his job is to try and win games of football now with Dundee. We will try and make it as hard as possible for him to have an uncomfortable afternoon.”
An update on Steven Whittaker -
“Steven was on the bench against St Johnstone but he tried to run on his ankle and it flared up a little bit again. We will give him the best opportunity to be fit for Saturday. Whether that comes a little too early for him, we will just have to wait and see.”
Views : 2,322
