Window Watch

21/01/20: SC - "Nothing imminent is going to happen but we are working tirelessly in January to try and identify targets."

Movements January 2020:
IN:
Ethan Ross on loan from Aberdeen
Dom Thomas on loan from Kilmarnock
OUT:
Tom Lang on loan to Clyde
Andy Ryan on loan to Airdrieonians
Josh Coley returned to Norwich City
Greg Kiltie returned to Kilmarnock

It’s January and football fans everywhere have to keep a watchful eye on the transfer window but Stevie Crawford is suggesting that Dunfermline have nothing imminent to report in that respect:-

“There’s nothing I can say is going to happen in the next 24 hours but we’re working tirelessly, as we always do. We’re touching base with a lot of agents and people who work within the game trying to strengthen the squad. We’re looking to bring in players who are going to help us progress and climb the league.

"We have got to cover all bases, January is a hard enough window if players come up and we think are going to strengthen the defence, midfield or attack then it is a discussion that we will have with Ross (McArthur). We are looking to bring in players who are going to help us progress and climb this league.

"The hard thing with January is identifying the players out there that want to come to the club. There is a reason why players become available in January as well, they could be frustrated with the lack of game time at their club.

"We have got to make sure that we do our homework, make sure that they are the right fit for the group, that they have development in them and when I say that it doesn`t necessarily mean that they have to be young players. Development in them that they can help, come in here, allow this club to progress and get better.

"Nothing imminent is going to happen but we are working tirelessly in January to try and identify targets."

Everyone knows that deals come late and Stevie is expecting the market place to speed up before too long:-

"It always does because it just takes one or two to move on and then the cycle goes. You are looking at the top end and once the decision is made there it filters through. It is something that we just need to keep in the ears of people that we trust. Hopefully we will be the ones who will benefit if we keep our ear to the ground."

At this time the role of Jackie McNamara as a consultant to Dunfermline Athletic, providing technical support to the board was explained by Stevie Crawford:-

"I do not speak to Jackie on a daily basis. Jackie is here to be a sound bite in terms of bouncing football stuff off the chairman. I go back to my under 21 days with Jackie when I roomed with him. I have got a good relationship and one that I trust.

"He is a sounding board for myself because at times like this, as difficult as it becomes management is a lonely place win lose or draw. There is always something going on behind the scenes and Jackie has been there and done it. It is great that I have that relationship there with Jackie. Also I know that he has the best interests for this football club. That is the strongest thing that I can put across.

"Jackie has been successful as a player and he has been successful in management. He is a guy who I have the utmost respect for and I would be silly not to have conversations and speak about things that mean a lot to us about this place."

The manager suggested that Jackie is not involved in recommending players to him.

"Players will be discussed within the coaching staff, then I speak about things with Ross. We try and identify if that is the right person to bring to the club. Jackie is more there for the hidden stuff that people don`t see, things you have to deal with from a managerial point of view. Sometimes it is not easy but he has been great for me on that side of things. Anything going forward with football targets is done in-house with coaching staff and Ross."

Doubt over availability of Tom Beadling

Stevie confirmed that Tom Beadling now has tonsillitis and is a doubt for Friday night`s match against Dundee.

“Tom has an issue with tonsillitis, so he’s on antibiotics. He is fully recovered from the hamstring injury he had and then he walked in the other day with his face all swollen."

The 24 year old who joined the club from Sunderland initially on loan in the January transfer window two years ago, has not had the best of times with injuries. He missed a chunk of last season with a thigh injury and a hamstring injury incurred in the Inverness Caley game in December kept him out until returning as a sub at Cappielow two weeks ago.

“It’s frustrating and I just know that Tom will be frustrated. He’s one who is well liked in the dressing room and one who we need to be challenging for a place in the team Hopefully he makes a speedy recovery and, fingers crossed, he’ll have a good chance of making the game.”

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