Manager on Friday

28/06/2019:- “Stevie is hoping that there will be a “different dynamic” about his team this season

Stevie Crawford is planning to use the friendly against Forfar Athletic on Saturday (2.00pm kick off) to give an outing to his full squad. The only ones missing out will be Matty Bowman and those with little niggles that mean they are better left out until Tuesday night’s friendly at Dumbarton. He told the media this lunchtime:-

“We are hoping that most of the boys get 45 minutes tomorrow. We had a bounce game amongst themselves in midweek but it is still the early stages. To get a whole 45 minutes minutes under your belt and come through unscathed injury wise will be important for the boys tomorrow.

“Some of the younger ones will be involved. Aaron Comrie is feeling slightly tight on his Achilles so he will not be back in training until Sunday with a view to being involved against Dumbarton. It would be silly to take any chances at this stage.

“Young Matty Bowman has an educational event that he has to attend. I am not one for giving players off for holidays but I think it shows where we are at. He had exams to complete and missed a couple of days at the start of pre season but we were fully aware of that when we signed him.

“His education is an important thing for him so unfortunately he went south on Thursday with his face tripping him. He will be back and available for the Dumbarton game as well.”

Stevie described the players’ week as tough with some running and some time on the ball. Match fitness he claimed is a different sort of fitness altogether:

“Some can go out and find the longer running natural to them, then as the distances come down some boys struggle at that and other ones get better.

“We do want to go up there and compete, we want to see things that we have been working on but it is not solely about the result, the main object was about making sure that we get everyone the 45 minutes.”

With ten new signings, players stepping up from the reserve squad and just nine of last season’s first team squad, Stevie and his management team of Jason Dair and Greg Shields have a task ahead of them into moulding a winning team together:-

“We are looking at how we are going to balance things off, who is decent playing with who. I don’t want the players and supporters looking too much into the two 45s tomorrow and assuming that is how we are going to be playing.

“We have the Betfred game coming up against St Mirren but it is important that we do try and see if there are any partnerships forming. We will test boys flipping sides and playing in different areas of the pitch. Different formations with just wee tweaks here and there.

“I’m not trying to be clever doing that it is just because we are such a new group there isn’t really a solid base at the moment. We need to try things out in pre season rather than find that out in the Betfred Cup games.”

This is Stevie’s first chance to change much after coming in as manager in January. With his own players and ideas he claims that there is a direction.

“The boys know that there is a certain way we want to play the game out of possession and certainly when we are in possession. What you have to be aware of is that the opposition do their homework in modern day football. You have got to have other tricks up your sleeve.

“Yes, we will give the boys direction but there has to be a freedom, because if you become predictable that can cause its own problems as well. There are things that we have worked on and we will continue to work on because it is not going to happen from day one.

“The players have bought into it and I’m sure things will come up in the Forfar game that we have discussed with the players and coaching staff. The more questions that get asked of us over the pre season will hold us in good stead for the season ahead.”

So with a squad that has to gel together, Stevie is avoiding promises like his players will play some amazing football but does acknowledge that even during the winning run, the play was not in the way that he wants under his leadership:-

“I want boys to be able to go and express themselves, I want crosses into the box, I want boys to take chances in the final third - in terms of trying to play that final through ball.

“I want my team pressing the game higher with energy. I think that rubs off on the supporters. It is brave and, worst case scenario, if you are going to lose a game of football it is better being on the front foot than trying to sit in soaking up anything that is thrown at you. It is a young hungry squad but they are not the finished article.”

Stevie is hoping that there will be a “different dynamic” about his team this season and is delighted that the home match against Dundee in five weeks time will be the opening league fixture:-

“Dundee have come down from the Premierleague and the boys are all desperate to play in that game. I know that there is an excitement about it. I was at a supporters night where I could tell how much people are looking forward to Dundee coming here for the first game.

“I don’t think we need to look any further forward than that to Queen of the South or Dundee United games. We will be able to see where we are at and let the boys see what standard Scottish football is all about as well.”

Dundee have appointed James McPake as their manager and that too will raise the excitement in both camps.

“I actually think it is a really good opening fixture and one that we can look forward to.”

Stevie confirmed that he is still of the opinion that he needs a wide player but warned all about having patience.

Fans travelling are reminded that Saturday’s friendly at Forfar is a 2.00pm kick off.

Related Stories

• Open Day and Kit Launch 2019
• 2019/20 Hospitality on sale now!
• Comrie ready for Championship challenge