Managers post QOS

31/03/18: Link to audio of both managers post match comments

Manager Allan Johnston confessed that it was really pleasing to beat a team that was hot his side’s heels:-

“They are always tight games when you play Queens. I thought in the first half some of the football and the chances we created were outstanding, it is always good when your striker scores another hattrick. I am delighted with that.

“We made it difficult for ourselves in the second half. I thought we let them back in the game. Sometimes that happens just when everybody realises how big a game it is. Lee Robinson had a couple of great saves and then obviously (lost) the goal that they scored when it looked as though it took a wee bit of a bobble.

“Overall I am really delighted. There were a lot of good performances. I thought Fraser Aird was outstanding and it is always good for someone who has not been playing to come in and make such an impact.”

Nicky Clark was to be the hero with three well taken goals and his manager claimed that is just what he was looking for:-

“We looking for that from our strikers and that is why he finishes£ up the top at the end of the goal scoring charts every year. He is a predator, if you put good balls in the box or give him chances he will score goals. He has hit a good bit of form just at the right time.”

James Vincent dropped out of the starting eleven through injury and AJ who had been quoted as saying Vincent “bossed” the game at Tannadice the previous week, commented:-

“He is a big player for us but it just shows you the strength in depth that we have got when people are missing. Guys like Joe Cardle missed who is a big player for us as well, but other boys are coming in and putting in performances like that.”

The win coupled with a draw at Cappielow between Morton and Dundee United means that Dunfermline are back in the top four for the first time in six weeks. The manager said that is where he wants to be:-

“It is up to us now. We have another three home games and we have to make sure that we are on the front foot getting the results we need. We know that Livingston are a hard team to play against, we need to make sure that we are ready for that game on Tuesday night.”

It was suggested that the Livingston match is possibly the most important given the last four matches are against the bottom four sides in the league. The manager replied:-

“On paper yes, if only it was as easy as that! It is not quite as easy as that, we know that everybody is fighting for their lives.

“We just have to focus on ourselves and make sure that we get the results that we need and if we keep putting in performances and working as hard as that we will not be far away.”

Asked about how he felt when he could not see Stephen Dobbie’s Name on the Queen of the South team lines, AJ smiles and said:-

“You are always delighted when you see quality players missing. He has caused us all sorts of problems in the games we have played. Even today, I thought young Tom Beadling again did well in the middle of the park, especially in the first half.

“I am really happy with the performance and we just need t9 make sure that we replicate that on Tuesday night.”

Was there a negative? Allan said:-

“Just the second half, we let them back into the game after controlling I’d say the whole first half. That was the only disappointing part that I felt about the game. The boys showed mental character to come back, keep going to the very end and get the goal.”

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