Managers post Alloa
Friday, 30th Apr 202130/04/21: link to audio of both managers post match comments
- - Listen to this Stevie Crawford interview
Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford felt that his side deserved something out of the match against Alloa Athletic:-
“I thought it was a positive performance, there was a lot of decent football played on the night and we created chances. I know games are not won on stats or lost on stats but we had double figures with efforts at goal and we had numerous corners which I thought we were a little bit unlucky with, especially in the first half, not to score from.
“The disappointing thing from tonight was losing a goal from the setplay. We were not organised, whether that is down to be giving game time to a lot of faces who have not had much game time recently. But other than that there were a lot of positives to take from the game.”
What were your thoughts behind making seven changes for tonight’s game?
“We knew that there was a possibility to possibly sneak third place but you know, Dundee going down to Queens having been in a decent bit of form, we hadn’t written off the game in that respect. We fully focused on trying to come here and win a game of football and we have not done that so other than the disappointment of the result, I thought there were a lot of positives.
“I thought Paul Allan (pictured above) was excellent. He is a boy who has been out on a couple of loan spells now and I did not think he looked out of place tonight. I thought he was terrific, he took the ball, he moved it and was simple and effective. His attitude towards the game was great for us to see because he is a prospect for us.”
Your best chances were possibly Kevin O’Hara in the first half and Lewis McCann’s header in the second half?
“Yes, I think Lewis’ one was cleared off the line and Kevin was unfortunate with a couple of efforts on goal as well. We have come, we have created chances, we have not scored on the night but the positives from the game is giving Paul Watson and Euan Murray game time, Kyle Macdonald was excellent at right back as well. Kerr McInroy and Lewis McCann, it will hold us for the challenges that we are going to be facing next week.”
You were right on thinking Dundee would not slip up and now it is Raith Rovers that you are going to face in the play offs?
“Again that was outwith our hands and I will fully start preparing after this in terms of preparing for the Raith Rovers games now. It would probably be wrong of me at this moment in time to speak about that because as I say I have not done any prep work on it. It is a game that we are looking forward to.”
The play off games are going to be the most important games of the season?
“Yes, they are two important games. The pleasing thing was getting to the play offs last week against Arbroath and I said before coming into tonight’s game that we had to show respect to Alloa. It was a competitive fixture, I thought we did that and as I said, the positive from it is the boys got game time that will stand us well for next week.
“Anybody who watched that game tonight, other than scoring goals, I thought that we were brave on possession of the ball. We more than matched Alloa who are very good in keeping possession of the ball. Have said it several times already, the fact that we got boys game time, it will give us the best chance to prepare properly now for the Raith Rovers games.”
Does it give you a headache for selection in the upcoming games?
“It is great that you have more bodies to choose from. The headache is when you get down to the tactical side of it and what we try and do. What is the right thing to give ourselves the best possible opportunity to win the games and go through.
“My work will start after I get home tonight and then be on to it first thing tomorrow morning. Sunday, Monday we will prepare properly for the game.”
Finally a word on Peter Grant, his final game as Alloa manager?
“Peter is a guy who I have massive respect for. His knowledge of the game is second to none. I think the football that Alloa have played is the way that Peter wants the game to be played. When I went and did my A licence, Peter was a big part in that.
“Every game where I have come up against Peter when we have played Alloa have been very very difficult games and tonight was certainly that as well. I wish Peter all the best and I’m sure that he will go on to something. He will just not fall away from football.”
Peter Grant said that he thought his team played really well and deserved their win. To hear more click the link to the audio of his post match comments.
- - Hear Peter Grant’s views
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