Managers post Livingston

Link to audio of both managers
"It needed a change because we were losing too many balls in the middle of the park.

The Pars manager was not happy with a one point start to the Championship campaign:-

"We should be coming and winning games like this but you are not going to win if you start the way we started the first half.

"I don`t think it was through brilliant play from Livingston, it was more that they outfought us, probably outworked us a bit. Maybe the wee bit of praise that we got for last week went to our heads.

"Credit to the players, they came back and you have to do the physical side when you come here. Livingston are physical and they hit the ball long, at second balls you have to win the battles. We did that a lot better in the second half and obviously it was good to come back."

David Hopkirk was introduced as a substitute before half time as the Management clearly attempted to alter things. Fraser Aird was the unfortunate player to be pulled off but the manager felt that he could have taken off anyone at that stage.

"It needed a change because we were losing too many balls in the middle of the park. They were picking up everything and were constantly turning us. We needed to change something to get us back into the game."

Penalty decisions, firstly with a push on Hopkirk in front of goal ignored, then a decision some would call soft and then an award to Livingston with just five minutes remaining. The manager felt that the Hopkirk one merited a decision more than the one given.

"That looked more of a penalty and I think there one was offside. It is very difficult for referees when it happens as quick as that but it was a big decision to make and just glad obviously that Sean (Murdoch) saved it.

"It is maybe a wake up call for us that we need to be better than that. That is not good enough because we set high standards in the previous games. We have got to make sure that we get back to that. We cannot afford to just turn up and get a win, it doesn`t work like that."

Prompted that might be crucial in the next match as Dunfermline take on Rangers at Ibrox, AJ replied:-

"It doesn`t matter who you are playing. We came here but I don`t think we started properly. You put yourself under pressure and end up chasing games. Credit to the boys they showed a bit of togetherness and a bit of spirit to come back in the second half."

The absence of Nicky Clark following his ankle operation and Declan McManus serving a two league match suspension left the squad looking a little light on choices and options, the manager responded:-

"It was, it is hard when you are missing two strikers. Callum Morris was missing too and he is a big player for us as well. Three big players missing but we should be able to handle that with the players that we have got. That`s the way football is.

"Nicky is going to be out for another four weeks yet probably. Declan can play in the cup game in midweek and we are hoping that Callum Morris will be back pretty soon as well, it is only a small injury. He got it last week in the game (v Hearts) and has been struggling with it all week. It was too much, he couldn`t sprint so he was as well missing one game and being available for the others rather than trying to force him to play and he ends up missing a month."

The manager paid tribute to the sizeable travelling support that appeared to take the Tony Macaroni Arena by surprise:-

"We had a big support and that is why the first half performance was a bit frustrating but I`m sure that they will be a bit happier after the second half display."

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