Willing to miss out on the cookies
Friday, 22nd Sep 2017David Hopkirk hopes to fill the vacancy created by Joe Cardle`s injury
David Hopkirk has started seven of the Pars 12 matches this season but has not started since the Irn Bru Cup tie against Arbroath in mid August. He has waited for his chance ever since hoping that he would not become a permanent fixture on the Pars subs bench.
His record suggests that there is plenty to fear about when it comes to warming the bench. Since the 24 year old joined Dunfermline in January 2015, he has made 68 appearances but a whopping 44 have been as a substitute.
Joe Cardle pulled up with a hamstring injury after just 15 minutes of the match against St Mirren. A sub was required and from Fraser Aird and Andy Ryan, Hoppy was the option preferred. He told the website:-
"It was just good to get back on the park. I didn`t expect to be on that early. Obviously it was a shame for Joe (Cardle) because he was the one scoring goals and doing well but I had to step up and take my chance."
Hoppy felt it harsh to get dropped after scoring in the league match against Inverness Caley Thistle and making way for Declan McManus to come on for him early in the second half of the cup tie against Dick Campbell`s team. I thought I played well and scored but the gaffer made a change for the next Saturday.
"I have had to wait my turn and hopefully I can get a run of games now. I score every time I get a chance to play. I think I could brush up my one on ones but I think that comes with games."
The manager has created fierce competition for starting places especially in the forward positions. The player feels that he can be deployed in several positions and formations. As well as Andy Ryan and David Hopkirk fighting for a starting place Hoppy added that Fraser Aird is `flying in training` and he too is waiting for his opportunity. Hoppy continued:-
"I can play right, left, upfront or in the middle. I can play anywhere, it is probably better to be like that just in case someone gets injured. I am happy anywhere to be honest, everyone is doing well and it is good that there is competition."
Having come on for Joe on Saturday the sub agreed that he should probably have scored before he did:-
"I made a great run from the box, it didn`t sit right and I shanked it with my left foot. I should have maybe hit with my right. It could have been another goal.
"Even when I was playing against Hibs I missed a one on one and in pre season at Patrick as well. I feel I am due to get a couple of goals.
"I am probably better from outside the box. In training I shoot from everywhere and if I can brush up on the one on ones that will be even better.
"It is hard to impress and score goals when you are coming on for twenty minutes, it is hard to get up to the speed of the games when you have been eating Jaffa Cakes!"
So at Brechin on Saturday Hoppy will happily miss out on the cakes if it means he is on from the start. He expressed an element of caution even though the hosts are bottom of the table.
"I don`t think you can go there just expecting to get three points but the way that we are playing just now we should take a good few off them."
Hoppy and a likely opponent on Saturday, Ally Love shared over forty goals while together at Annan Athletic for two seasons. Still good friends Hoppy is optimistic that it`s the Brechin keeper who is fishing the ball out of the net. Other likely opponents Euan Spark and Finn Graham were at Dunfermline and they will need no incentive to do well either.
"My pals who play there are up for it, they are the underdogs and they want to play against clubs like us. They will be buzzing for it. We just need to be professional about it."
Brechin have not won a match all season but they have shown their mettle in matches coming back from two goals down to draw with Livingston, from one goal down to draw with Falkirk and holding Dundee United until losing a goal ten minutes from the end at Tannadice. Hoppy speculated:-
"The park is small and they will try to stop us playing. Hopefully we can get an early goal and enjoy the game but you never know.
"We will not take them lightly, we will take it as it comes and do what we have been doing."
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