Comrie’s right channel comfort

“I think everyone can see that I look the most comfortable in that right back slot but anywhere the manager tells me to play I will play and try and do it to the best of my ability.

Dunfermline defender Aaron Comrie feels that the first league victory that is sorely awaited is not far off. He admits that a first win is the players’ top priority:-

“It is not all doom and gloom, it is early in the season with a long way to go but getting that first win would help us kick start the season. It needs to be done fast because we can’t let it go on and on. If that lifts us off the bottom of the table then obviously it is great because that is certainly not where we want to be. There is a perfect opportunity on Saturday with a home game and then the derby game to look forward to during the week.”

The defence achieved its first clean sheet against Inverness and Aaron who joined Dunfermline from St Johnstone in May 2019 claimed that was just one of the many positives from Saturday.

“It was just a lot better in general but if we can keep clean sheets more often we will win more games than we will lose. That has been the emphasis again on Monday and Tuesday in training, about defending well as a unit. It is not just the back four, it is as a team.”

The seven weeks since drawing at Cappielow have been challenging in terms of covid, injuries and results and with that comes pressure but Aaron can remember well his first season at Dunfermline when the first three points were not won until the 3-0 win away to Partick Thistle in the sixth league fixture:-

“There has always been pressure. I remember the first year that I came to the club, we struggled for that first win. It was probably similar timing to this season.

“Last season there was the pressure of the play offs as well. We have an old enough group and good enough players to get us out of this position and off the bottom of the league. I think everyone is confident that we will turn things around.”

That confidence is fuelled by a much better display last Saturday after which Aaron and his teammates were disappointed not to go away with the win:-

“We had two really good chances in the last ten minutes but the main positive was the team performance and attitude. There was a real desire to do well, not that there has not been that before, but I think the fans on Saturday really got behind us and I think that helped.”

Pre match keeper Owain Fôn Williams had talked about turning East End Park into a fortress and it was clear after conceding three in the previous three matches there was absolutely no desire to lose a goal. Aaron felt that back to basics was probably the best way to sum it up:-

“I thought that we defended really well apart from maybe one time when Inverness had a good couple of chances. In the main there was a will to defend and as a team performance just better to play in as well.”

A mixed bag is how Aaron assessed his own performances over the full 450 minutes of Premier Sports cup matches and starts in all but one of the four league games:-

“Obviously playing in that right centre back role I would have liked to have done a wee bit better. It was new for everyone but I would have liked to have done better with that. On Saturday I thought personally I was a wee bit better.

“I think everyone can see that I look the most comfortable in that right back slot but anywhere the manager tells me to play I will play and try and do it to the best of my ability. On Saturday I was the most probably comfortable that I have felt. I know that right channel well.”

Demonstrating his versatility and building his skills set has been no bad thing:-

“My strength is that sort of defensive part but learning different parts and especially the wing back role has maybe opened my eyes a wee bit to what I need to do better and try and contribute a wee bit more going forward.”

This week’s match against Hamilton Academical will pitch Aaron up against striker Andy Ryan (pictured below) who Aaron played 18 matches with at Dunfermline in the first half of the 2019-20 season before Andy went out on loan to Airdrieonians. The Pars defender commented on his likely opponent:-

“He is a good player and on his day he will score goals. He is one of the many threats that we will need to try and watch out for. Hamilton have had a change of manager and are probably in a little bit of transition. In terms of how they have been playing I do not really know.

“They have a lot of youngsters playing with a few experienced boys so they will have that mix of old and young. The young ones will be wanting to do well and on their day I think that they will be good because looking at their team they have a lot of good players.”

Aaron missed out on the first attempt to play the Fife Derby against Raith Rovers on 20th August but he was missing due to becoming a new dad and of course after the abandonment of the derby match Aaron will be available for next Wednesday’s match. The 24 year old added that he would be ready this time:-

“It has been a mad four and a half weeks. Time is just flying in, the days seem to go without getting a minute to yourself. It is definitely rewarding and I’m enjoying every minute. Thankfully the missus does the night feeds and I manage to get a few hours in.

“I was trying to listen to the game on the radio and then it got called off so it has all worked out well for me.”

Fixture kick off time amendment

Wednesday September 29
cinch Championship
Raith Rovers v Dunfermline Athletic
Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.05pm

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