Bairns are big game
Saturday, 19th Aug 2017Sean Murdoch:- "They are big games and games you need to take something from. We`ll definitely be going out there all guns blazing for the win."
Pats keeper Sean Murdoch is well aware that the seven goals he lost in the four matches against Falkirk last season cost the Pars in their push to finish in a play off place. The 31 year old praised the club`s next opponents when he spoke to the media ahead of the big Derby game on Saturday.
“Falkirk are a really good team and our record against them was poor last season. They’ve got good players and they might have had a bit of an indifferent start to the season but derby games are a one-off and anything can happen.
“We need to make sure we identify their strengths and try to exploit their weaknesses. We got just one draw and had three defeats against them but I thought they were a good team last season and they proved that by finishing second behind Hibs."
Dunfermline fans always turn out in their numbers to welcome the Bairns and their supporters to East End Park. Over 6000 turned out on Boxing Day and just over 5000 in April. Sean recognises how important this fixture is:-
“It’s one for the fans, the derby day. The Falkirk fans will come through in their numbers and it will be a really good atmosphere. Hopefully we can get one over them. Our record last season was poor and we need to do better in these games.
“You’re looking at them taking 10 points off us last season and if we had taken 10 points off them, we would have been well in the play-offs and would have finished second. So, they are big games and games you need to take something from. We`ll definitely be going out there all guns blazing for the win."
Many will consider the Pars should have taken more out of that April meeting, but Sean expertly negotiated the controversial penalty decision that was a big game changer:-
“It could even have changed our season, who knows? You get some decisions and others go against you. What comes around goes around.
“They were just unfortunate circumstances to lose in. But it doesn’t take away from the fact Falkirk are a good team and it was a pretty even game, there wasn’t much in it that day."
For those who have savoured this fixture before (some even on both sides), the sight of Falkirk at East End is likely to create sufficient motivation. Sean argued that did not matter:-
“Personally, it doesn’t affect me going into this game, it doesn’t give me any extra motivation. Maybe it will the fans, I think the fans will probably have a few things to say. But, for me, it won’t have any bearing on this one, not at all.
“It’s a game of football. If it had happened for us we would probably have been claiming for a penalty as well. It’s just one of those things. But it’s a new season and new players on both teams, and hopefully we can go out and get the win."
The Pars keeper feels confident after his team has started the season pretty much on fire.
"The boys up top have been electric, scoring goals, taking chances and at the back we’ve been pretty solid, minus the Rangers game. We’ve started really well, we can be really happy and long may it continue.
“We are creating loads of chances and taking most of them. We’ve got good strikers, good flair players, good build-up players and wingers. So, we’ve got goals in our team and we always know that if we can keep a clean sheet we’ve got a good chance of winning games."
Having scored sixteen goals in the first three home games can Dunfermline supporters look forward to a continued goal feast? Sean replied cautiously commending his team mates and his gaffer:-
“Everyone has ambition, I know the manager certainly does, as do the players. It’s just the size of the club, everyone wants to be back in the Premiership. When I first came back that’s what I said and hopefully we’ll do it when I’m still here. We’ll be giving everything to make that happen.
“We’ve got a good squad, the manager has recruited really well and he’s installed in us belief that we can go and win every game. It’s great to be a part of that and have a manager like that."
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