Pars benefit from African adventure

Expectations at Dunfermline are getting higher and higher and rightly so.

“The week has gone excellently; probably better than we expected” admitted Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston. Speaking to this website he said:-

“We came here to ensure the weather and I think the other SPL clubs have found out why we did that. It has been great for the players with great facilities training at a local park of a local club and training on the beach. The training sessions have been great and it also helps to bond the team; not just the players but the staff as well.

“Agadir has been a lovely place; we have enjoyed it and our fans have enjoyed it - if there is a return next year they will be sponsored by Anadin” he joked.

“We have had two games against high class opposition and done tremendously well. I would be more than happy to bring the team back to Morocco in the future if we have a mid-winter break although that in itself is in doubt.

“We are trying our best; we have limited resources compared to other clubs but we are trying not just to get a great team together but great team spirit. This all helps. Jimmy Calderwood has brought a lot of changes to the club and we are backing him all the way with these changes. This is just part of what he wanted to do close season. It has cost us more than what the other clubs have probably played but you see the weather and facilities are well worth it.”

Manager Jimmy Calderwood was equally happy and appreciative of the week in Africa -

“The whole week has been absolutely tremendous, the hotel is great, the people are really nice to you. It puts a bit of shine on it that we won the two games.

“Willem II played in the Champions League and Raja were the Champions of Africa. It is good for the club to come here and do so well. Expectations at Dunfermline are getting higher and higher and rightly so. If you got Rossi and Skerla, Skinner and Thomson you have got a tremendous defence. We need to have strength in depth and there is Stewarty come back in, big Tody playing really well, John Potter back and big Lee. Gary Mason probably played his best game since he came to the club.

“We are feeling pretty good at the moment. We are getting more professional, more adult every game and we are looking a very strong team. Towards the end of the Raja game and against Willem II, except for the five minutes either side of half time, we looked a strong team.

Jimmy Calderwood clearly feels that this trip, added to the high profile matches against Arsenal and Feyenoord at the beginning of the season, will be raising eyebrows throughout Scottish football giving clear indications, if any were needed that Dunfermline Athletic is full of ambition.

“We are further than what I thought we’d be at this time to be honest. It is exciting times. We have got a good team, we are two players maybe three, no more short of being a very very good team. I am talking about just outside Rangers and Celtic.”

Chairman confirmed the new objective –

“It is a top six place that we want and hopefully this trip will have contributed to it. I think the players will have gained in confidence from the matches.

John Yorkston also pointed out the necessary strength in depth was now in place:-

“We have got to the stage where we have two teams at Dunfermline. When Jimmy made the changes in both the games there was not one weakness. He started with what he would probably regard as his stronger side then made changes and brought on youngsters but there was no notable downturn in performance.”

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