Scott learns to relax at Dunfermline

“As a young player and as a new player in the squad I want to impress ...

The performance of Dunfermline’s loanee Scott Banks against Morton got him included in the SPFL team of the week and the 19 year old Crystal Palace player described Saturday`s match as “a fun experience to have a good performance like that.”

Scott was brought down for the penalty that Dunfermline were awarded in the first half and was fundamental in the lead up to the only goal of the game just a minute before half time. Confessed that he felt that it was his best performance yet in a Dunfermline shirt. Following instructions to be more relaxed Scott claimed, he felt more comfortable and was happy with the way the game panned out:-

“I enjoyed it a lot and I felt a bit more comfortable within the squad. It was something the manager and the coaching staff had said to me, that I just needed to relax, rather than trying to do everything at 100 miles an hour and putting loads of pressure on myself.

“I just felt in the game that things were coming off for me and that built the confidence up. When that starts happening then things start to go well. I felt very confident to get on the ball and then I can affect the game. I enjoyed it a lot.”

One of Scott’s clever second half flicks featured on the club’s social media and although disappointed that Palace had not reacted, the former Dundee United youth hoped that would be the first of many highlights that could be featured that way:-

“It’s something I’ve got in my game. I enjoy playing football and those little moments are nice to be able to do. Hopefully there’s more like that to come.”

After three starts and three substitute appearances for the Fifers Scott now understands that the extra special touch that sent Steven Whittaker up the right wing on Saturday does not have to come off every time:-

“I think I was just uptight about trying to affect the game, it being a must every time I touch the ball I’ve got to do something. Obviously, that’s not the case. As a young player, and as a new player in the squad I wanted to impress. I feel like after that performance I’m settled and I’m looking forward to the games coming.”

Scott is also hoping to net his first Pars goal after coming very close to scoring against Morton, a first half effort narrowly escaping outside the left goalpost:-

“I had a similar one against Alloa as well. I’m getting quite good at missing on that side - which is a bit frustrating! But the goal’s coming.

“Even in the second-half, I had a snap shot that the keeper saved with the underside of his arm. That one was more frustrating because I couldn’t believe it didn’t go in. But the goal’s coming and it was important I didn’t lose my head with it and kept playing like I did throughout the rest of the game.”

Gaffer, Stevie Crawford has this week commented on how impressed he was with the defensive side of Scott’s performance and the Linlithgow raised young man revealed that was something he had been work on since he was at under-17 level.

“It’s something I wasn’t good at in the past and it’s important for me that I work hard for the team off the ball, as well as doing things on the ball.

“It’s something I still need to develop but I’m glad the manager has recognised I am working on that and that I am doing my part without the ball for the team, and that he can rely on me to do that.”

All these things are part of the learning experience at Dunfermline hopefully preparing him for bigger things to come in his football career:-

“It’s all just building up experience and minutes in men’s football or football at a higher level than I was playing at. It’s absolutely important for me to do these things. If I’m going to be relied on to play in the Premier League when I go back, I’m going to have to be able to do the defensive work, there’s no question about it.

“There are obviously levels to it and I just need to keep improving, and use all the experiences I can to put myself in the best position when I go back. For the moment, I’m just enjoying my time here and excited to try to get promotion.”

Scott appreciates being part of the Dunfermline squad, a really good group, that he couldn’t speak highly of:-

“They’ve made me feel very welcome and I enjoy going into training every day. When it comes to the games, though we trust each other on the ball, we trust what we’re doing, and we’ve all got a real belief in the system we play. There is a real positive atmosphere around the club and the training ground, and it’s something I feel I’ve slotted in quite well to. They couldn’t have been any more welcoming.”

All of which speaks volumes considering the difficulty integrating in Covid times. Scott feels fortunate that his Dunfermline experience is a lot better than other players in situations like him:-

“Luckily, I’m just one of those who will try to speak to everybody and anybody to feel at ease. Just forcing yourself in and speaking to these guys and seeing what they’re about, I’ve been able to do that at the training ground and they couldn’t have been any more welcoming.

“It would have been nice to have a bit more stuff we could do away from the club, but there’s a good atmosphere at the training ground. We all enjoy training and work hard and those bits of banter you would expect from the changing room, we’ve managed to fit it in on the pitch so it’s good.

“It’s just more experience and everything I can ask for at my age, to try to put myself in the best possible position. It’s senior football at the end of the day. The Covid situation is obviously not great but there’s nothing anyone can do about that and it’s just about working away as hard as I can.”

Crystal Palace coaches and their sports scientist keep tabs on Scott even checking up on all the things he is doing away from the pitch:-

“Coaches and loans managers phone me and I have a good support network around me. I feel very fortunate to have the support of all these people keeping tabs on me and making sure I’m doing the right things day-in, day-out and giving myself the best opportunity to perform well come Saturdays.

“They watch all the games so I’ve got to perform - there’s no doubt about that.
I have seen the fans have been commenting and there is a really good energy about the club at the moment.”

It also benefits Palace and Scott that there’s a lot to play for at Dunfermline, good for his development to be under pressure to get results. Scott added:-

“It’s definitely been made clear to all of us that if we don’t get second place here we’ve let ourselves down, in terms of the points we’ve dropped. We’ve got to keep playing as well as we can to do that.

“I wouldn’t have the experience of playing in those pressure games if I was still in the Palace under-23s. So, it’s something exciting to be involved in and I’m glad I can do it here. Hopefully I can just keep playing in as many of these games as I can.

“That’s the thing about these pressure games, if I’m not performing I won’t be in the team, so I’ve got to keep putting in my performances week-in, week-out and see how it goes.”

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