Managers post Raith Rovers

Link to audio of both Stevie Crawford and John McGlynn`s post match thoughts

The red card shown to Lee Ashcroft just ten minutes into the second half had a huge influence on the Cup tie the Pars Head Coach, Stevie Crawford claimed when he addressed the media after the 3-0 defeat to Raith Rovers. He said:-

“At that stage of the game it was still 0-0. It was disappointing to lose the penalty in the manner that we did and we had fifteen minutes left in a cup competition to get back into the game. We made a decision to go with two up top, play three across the middle of the park and the second goal came down the right hand side.

“Could we deal with the cross a bit better? The answer is yes but at that point, when the second goal goes in it was disappointing to see that we would go on and lose a third goal in the manner that we did as well.

“It is a disappointing start and when you see the crowd that came through today, it was fantastic. They are away home upset, they should be and we are not happy but what do we do? Do we sit and cry about it?

“I think if you look at the start of the second half we were the team that was on top. We are not scoring goals when we are on top in games but the reality is we went down to ten men and we never responded to going a goal down in the manner that we hoped.”

The manager described in as the “joy of the cup” that the lower league keeper kept out a really good Myles Hippolyte shot just before half the that could have set up a much different result.

“We can be critical of not taking chances but it is a case of keeping going back for more. We started the second half really spritely, lose Ashcroft with the red card. Once you go the goal down it is difficult to try and get back in it and not expose ourselves. It is something that myself and Greg (Shields) will analyse over the weekend and then look towards the game against Morton next week.”

Asked about the sending off of his captain, Stevie replied:-

“Lee is an honest boy who has had a good number of years at the club. He is hurting but he is a guy who has the club at heart and he will get my backing all day long. He will not be happy with the decision that ended up with him getting a red card but Lee will play a big part in taking this club where we want to go.”

Stevie was not willing to take any comfort from playing well when down to ten men or from chances created in the first half.

“We have lost 3-0 and that is the reality. I have been in the game too long to look back and say that first half we had chances. The second half we started the game on top but lost a goal and went on to lose the game quite convinincingly. There is something wrong in terms of managing to dig out results and we will address that as a group. We will be demanding of them that we start climbing up this league.”

Asked for a message for the approaching 3000 Dunfermline fans who made the journey to Starks apartheid.

“They have to be disappointed with us, there is nobody more disappointed than myself. It is a telling stage now for myself and the players. Over the years Dunfermline supporters stick by the team through thick and thin. They will be hurting tonight and I apologise for that.

“It is not a case of feeling sorry for ourselves and going to Morton with a tail between our legs next week. We will have to rally the group round and make sure that we start getting results in the league now.”

Asked about Faissal El Bakhtaoui’s progress in the squad.

“Faiss has had a frustrating period since he has come back. He was lively in the first half and it is not a point to talk about individuals collectively. We have not performed today when it came to the crunch. We will take tha5 criticism collectively as well.”

How big a blow is the cup in exit when weighed up against the financial benefits that the club will miss out on?

“It is going to be a sore one for the club. To see where the club has come from in the last four to five years is a credit to everybody who has played their part in that. That is going to be a sore one for us not progressing in the tournament but credit to Raith Rovers they have seen a weakness in us after the red card and they have exploited it.”

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