Managers post Arbroath

31/08/19: Link to audio of both manager’s post match comments

Speaking after Dunfermline’s 1-0 defeat at Arbroath Stevie Crawford said that he was disappointed in terms of not creating enough chances.

“It is something that we have probably not been guilty of this season but we didn’t get enough shots at goal, we didn’t get enough crosses in the box and the creative side of things wasn’t good enough today.”

Asked if the windy conditions had contributed to the outcome and the suggestion that Arbroath are accustomed to playing in such conditions, SC replied:-

“It is part and parcel of football coming to Arbroath, the same as going down to Queen of the South, playing Dundee away from home, we are not going to use that as an excuse. We know that we weren’t good enough.”

Did the conditions change your plans in any way?

“In the first half we wanted to play with the wind because of how strong it was. You have to appreciate what the conditions were, I am not using them as an excuse. We didn’t test the keeper enough. It died down a little in the second half.

“We played in stops and starts in the second half but not enough to cause Arbroath problems and create chances that allow us to score some goals in the game.”

There were appeals for a Dunfermline penalty in the build up to Arbroath’s goal, how did you see that?

“What I will say if we are going to lose goals on a counterattack like that then it is going to be a long hard season. Collectively we weren’t organised enough.

“Whether it is a penalty kick and the boys claiming for it, that is up to the referee. We can’t allow a team to attack us from their 18 yard box and break away and score a goal as they did.

“It is something that collectively we will address - getting done on the counterattack because it was a soft goal for us to lose.”

Asked if any more players might come in before the transfer window closes, SC replied:-

“We are hopeful that we can add more, whether right person comes up we will have to see where we are with that. We are still actively looking.”

After four games Dunfermline have a total of just two points, how concerned are you about that?

“I am not concerned, I am fully aware that we are sitting with two points after the first four games of the league campaign. It has been difficult if you look at the two Dundee sides that we have played, Queen of the South away from home and come to a difficult venue away to Arbroath.

“The League is what it is, I am not shirking away from my responsibility of that. I am extremely disappointed and we just have to see where the traits are coming from, how we are losing goals.

“We have been given some plaudits for some of our performances this year but equally this one will hit us hard because it wasn’t good enough today.”

Next up is a Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Cup tie against Alloa, can we expect to see you trying something different?

“I will sit down over the weekend, speak to the coaching staff and work out. It is not just a case of changing up for the sake of changing up personnel.

“We will look at the fixture and see where we need to address some things but hopefully it will be an opportunity to give boys a chance because they are waiting. We have lost two games back to back now so there are boys who deserve another chance now.”

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