Testing place for opponents

“We want to make East End Park a very difficult place for people to come. I think we’ve done that this season,

Paul Watson has enjoyed every minute of 1521 he has played since moving from Dundee United to Dunfermline for this season. He has made 17 appearances and has been ever present except when forced to come off six minutes into the second half at Alloa. The 30 year old central defender is desperate to see the season continue to a successful end.

“I have enjoyed the game time and hopefully, touch wood, I can keep away from injuries and be available for selection for the rest of the season.

“As players we are just desperate for it to continue, we don’t see why not with the testing having been introduced as well. Clubs have got the financial backing now from the Government grant so there should no excuses with the testing side of it.

“The chairman is especially big on abiding by the guidelines, the whole staff and all the players have stuck by them really well. Fingers crossed we can keep covid away from the squad and any outbreaks for the rest of the season.”

Paul admitted however that maintaining socially distanced goal celebrations is very difficult if you score a goal and even when marking or being marked at corners:-

“Fair enough if it is early on but if it is a last minute winner emotions are there. You can grab each other at corners but you are not allowed to celebrate. If that is the new thing, we will just have to get used to it and try and distance ourselves when celebrating.”

The Dunfermline players went through covid testing again this week to ensure that Championship football can continue during lockdown and Paul believes the discomfort is worth it as football has an important role to play:-

“A lot of people want it on and I think they would miss it. It gives them something to look forward to, although the fans can’t get to the stadiums it is still good that they can tune in on the telly and watch it. We are just hoping that it continues.”

The Pars kicked off 2021 last Friday night with a goalless draw away to Morton on a heavy pitch that was not conducive to passing football. Paul felt that Dunfermline were frustrated that they could not score:-

“Morton are a big physical side, it is a big part of their game. I thought we handled that side of the game well. It is just frustrating that we just couldn’t break the deadlock and get the breakthrough really. We need to be looking to win games like that if we want to really challenge at the top end of the league.”

Watson is hoping that he and his Pars team mates can defeat Ayr United on Saturday and strengthen that challenge. While they sit second in the table, they are seven points behind leaders Hearts, but he added: “We want to make East End Park a very difficult place for people to come.

“I think we’ve done that this season, and we just need to make sure we get back to winning ways. It is a bit frustrating because I think we should maybe have gathered a few more points. We are where we are, we are sitting second. I think we would all have taken that at the start of the season, at this stage in the season. We just look forward to the old cliche, one game at a time, and hopefully we can keep racking up the points.”

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