Belief and confidence high going into second leg
Thursday, 3rd May 2018“We will go into the game in exactly the same way as we did on Tuesday night and go there to win it.”
The last seven Dunfermline Athletic visits to Tannadice have failed to provide a win for the Fifers but Declan McManus positively predicts that they can definitely go to United and win:-
“Before the tie started we always believed that we could get through over the two legs. The way that it has turned out is not a bad result in any way, shape or form.”
Declan, the DAFC Player of the Year did not start the first leg of the play off against Dundee United but an early injury to striker Andy Ryan handed Declan a chance to get a piece of the action. He felt it was tough to explain his feelings but was clear that for most of the game Dunfermline were by far the better team.
“We went down to ten men but personally I think it was the wrong decision, it was a bit hard to take and obviously that killed us a wee bit. We still created two or three chances even when we were down to ten men. I think we can take a lot of confidence going into Friday.”
The 55th minute red card for Lee Ashcroft was a major blow and really it was an achievement to get away with 0-0. Declan described the feeling on the park:-
“I think everybody was in a bit of disbelief. From where I was on the pitch, I honestly thought that it was a free kick to us. Bobby (Madden) has said on the park that he will go back and look at it but I think you could tell by all our reactions that he was the only person, and maybe a few United boys, that thought it was a foul never mind a red card.
“I have seen the video but it is up to the powers that be. We will not be concentrating on that, we will be concentrating on the game and getting the job done on Friday.”
Dec agreed that it could be said that the pressure is all on United now but added:-
“At the same time we know that we will have plenty of fans up there as well like United did tonight. If they are going to feel the pressure that is up to them. We will go into the game in exactly the same way as we did on Tuesday night and go there to win it.”
United manager Csaba László has called Dunfermline favourites but the Pars player was oblivious to all of that:-
“I didn’t know that to be honest. I don’t know if his fans will be happy with a comment like that. We are just going into the game like we have done in the last ten weeks to win every game. To put on a good performance and make sure that come Monday night we are playing Livingston.”
Allan Johnston’s team far proven hard to beat, their last defeat to the Championship champions was back on 10th March. Declan considers that is a big factor in the good run that they have been on. He added praise for the defence.
“You could see that on Tuesday night after losing Ashy, we had boys who filled in for him and did a job. We defended brilliantly so we need exactly the same on Friday. We will go there hard to beat and hopefully play as well going forward.
“We were good and creating a lot of chances. The keeper has made two or three unbelievable saves and kept us out. Hopefully on Friday night we will get there and take some of the chances.”
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