Manager on Thursday
Thursday, 20th Jul 201720/07/17: AJ:- "We needed that bit of magic just to open the door and hopefully get the first goal.
"It is a team that we know well from previous seasons, they are a team that always make it difficult. They are always well fired up, always physical and hard to play against. When they have a goalscorer like Rory McAllister they have always got a chance. I`m sure they will come and make it hard to play against them."
Given their record on recent years Peterhead will be disappointed with last season and AJ felt that they will be keen to kick on.
"We have just got to focus on ourselves. We have got this place a hard place for teams to come and play. Hopefully we can go and score a few goals on Saturday."
Everyone will be hoping to see a repeat of the six goals in the first Betfred Cup match against Elgin City but on Tuesday night against East Fife, despite loads of shots at goal there was to be no goals until the penalty shoot out.
"We had the bulk of play and the bulk of possession but it is just about finding that cutting edge to score the first goal which is difficult. We were looking at the video, there were probably ten guys within 30 to 40 yards of the goal. That makes it really difficult to break down, we needed that bit of magic just to open the door and hopefully get the first goal.
"That is what pre season is for, you are still building up and we know that we just have to keep on improving and keep on getting results."
Dunfermline will be seeking maximum points so that they can go into the final group match with the opportunity to top the group. Allan agreed that is what he was looking for:-
"It is a good opportunity at home, playing against Peterhead. We will have a right go but that should suit us as well. We have been lucky with the fixtures getting Elgin and Peterhead at home, I wouldn`t have fancied those journeys and it important we get a result to take into the last game against Hearts."
The gaffer wasn`t keen to look any further ahead than Saturday however:-
"Teams make it really really difficult for you and there have been a lot of draws. Teams are not up to full speed at this stage in the season."
Asked to comment on the signing of Dean Shiels he replied:-
"I thought he looked a touch of class when he came on against East Fife. Anytime he got on the ball he wanted to create. I thought as a team we passed the ball a lot better when he came on. We controlled the middle of the park.
"I`m sure that he will be a really good signing for us. It is just where is the best place to play him to be be most influential for us. He can create chances and score goals as well.
"He is a talented footballer and he is somebody who is desperate to come in and do well. He has played a few games over in Canada so he is up to speed, it is not as though he has missed pre season. Hopefully he comes in and makes a big impact this season.
"You can see the quality that he has got, even today in training. Some of our younger players can learn off him, hopefully it will help them improve watch how he gets on to the ball, watching how good his first touch is.
"Scott Lochhead has been excellent in pre season, Callum Smith scores a lot of goals and I`m sure that he is one who is going to have a big future."
The manager is keen that players coming in improve his squad:-
"We are looking to bring in good players and that is difficult. We have throughout the whole summer to bring in a lot of players and it has proven really difficult at times.
"It is always good when you bring in somebody of the quality of Dean Shiels who can improve us."
The manager revealed that he currently has two trialists in and expects a couple more next week.
"I don`t think that there is anything wrong with looking at a few trialists. Hopefully you unearth a diamond there, it is always worthwhile looking."
All the players are desperate to play on Saturday but the manager fells that three competitive games in a week this early in the season is a big ask especially when your full squad is not yet in place.
"It is a good build up to the league campaign but we are not allowed to play trialists in the cup. It is hard trying to get fringe players game time because we are relying on the same boys to play week after week."
On the injury front, Jason Talbot played 45 minutes in a bounce game on Wednesday night. David Hopkirk has started doing a bit of running again and it is hoped that he will be available for selection before too long.
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