Managers Post QOS

26/02/11 JM:- "Now is all about winning. It doesn't matter about flair or anything else, it is the crucial part of the season.

Jim McIntyre felt that it was imperative to pick up three points against Queen of the South and he was delighted to do so:-

"There wasn't a lot of goalmouth action in the first half; I felt we dominated the play and passed the ball a lot better without really creating much. In the first half we switched the ball really well, creating one on one situations especially McDougall and Woods were causing a bit of havoc.

"We got the early goal in the second half and first goal is crucial in this league. We stressed at half time to make sure that it was us who would try and get it. We are delighted to do so. We went 2-0 up with a good piece of fortune. It was really unfortunate for the boy but the pitch was terrible; you could see that anytime the boys tried to run with the ball - it was bobbling all over the shop. It worked out for us the the second goal was very fortunate.

"There was a ten minute spell after going 2-0 when we were really on top and could have gone on to put the game to bed with a better pass or whatever."

The question everyone wanted the Manager to answer was who scored Dunfermline's first goal:-

"It was Liam Buchanan, he is claiming it. Actually I don't know, he just said that he got the final touch. I don't care as long as they go in!

"When they scored we started making some poor decisions and credit to Queen of the South they were putting a lot of balls into the box and testing us. I just felt that we stopped doing what got us into that position - we stopped passing it as well and started slashing clearances and not clearing the ball out. We gave away a poor goal and after that you could see that we were nervous.

"Holmes probably should have scored but that's the wee bit of fortune that you get at times. We had two or three great chances on Tuesday night up at Ross County and never put them away so they even themselves out.

"We made the change; wee Joe came on and it was a fantastic run from David Graham. McDougall, who I thought had a great game today, did well and worked the goalie. Joe was in the right place and took an eternity to put it in but he got there."

It was a really competitive match and the Pars gaffer thought Queen of the South were fortunate to finish the game with a full complement:-

"It was blood and thunder; they should have had two players off the park. Bob Harris should have had a stonewall booking for the second one - if he (the referee) books him for the first one he should have booked him for the second one. He didn't do it and then it should have been a straight red for the tackle of McMenamin. That's just the way it is though.

"The players came through it unscathed but we want it to be competitive, I have no problem with the game being competitive. Every team gets stuck in, I am all for that and it is the way I played the game myself.

"It is a massive result for us today. People go on about the other contenders playing the teams at the bottom end of the table but we just to look at ourselves. We needed to come here and pick up three points; we felt that was so important today because we felt that we should have picked them up on Tuesday night and we never. To come here today and get them is really pleasing. I am delighted for the boys because they put so much effort into that.

"In this league it is very difficult to put a run of games together. It has been proved that you can do it but you need that bit of luck along the way as well. Inverness and St Johnstone put runs together when they went up and we have to start building now.

"There is no doubt about it and there's no hiding from that, this is the time to put a run together. Whether that is picking up the odd draw away from home but constantly keep winning at home - we just need to turn it into wins. I said that to the boys before the game - now is all about winning.

"It doesn't matter about flair or anything else, it is the crucial part of the season and we have eight games starting next Saturday in 24 days and that is going to be a real tough period. It will be tough for all the clubs - we have all got similar fixture pile ups but I have great belief in this squad that we can do it. There's a long, long way to go and many twists and turn."

Queen of the South Manager Kenny Brannigan lamented having to field under 19 players who have not yet earned the respect of the senior players:-

"Dunfermline are a team that is challenging for the league and they have depth in numbers. It must be great for them to see that I am playing a kid today and I have only nine players before the game. It is just a fact of life - it is not the kids fault. We are victim of circumstances unfortunately and it is my job to protect young players but I felt sorry for the two kids that came on today - they are just not strong enough or physical enough.

"I thought the referee today was a wee bit one sided at times - letting them away one time and not giving us the same respect. I don't think he gave us a decision at all in the whole game. I went mental and he came across and said that it wasn't a foul - he is kidding me on. I just thought he was poor today."

The goals conceded were branded as poor by the QOS gaffer:-

"The first one was a foul on the goalkeeper with both his hands and the other was a fluke from Bob (Harris). I am not going to condemn any of my players, all in all we were victim of circumstances.

"We couldn't get the ball stroked about although I don't think they stroked the goal about particularly well either.  They had the same problems as we had with the pitch."

MATCH PICTURES