Managers Post Ayr United
Saturday, 20th Nov 202120/11/21: link to audio of both managers’ post match comments
- - Listen to this John Hughes interview
After the match John Hughes was in great form and happy to win Dunfermline’s first home league match of this cinch Championship season. He told the media:-
“That’s what it’s all about. We’re all in it together. We know the fans have a massive part to play. They’ve waited a long time this season to get that home win so I hope they have a good weekend.
“It’s all credit to the players. We’ve really worked hard. At times there has been so much information you can worry it’s overload. All I asked of them was to go and implement what we’ve been working on and the goals help that.
“The second goal relaxed us a bit but we’re nowhere near. We have a lot of hard work in front of us. Although we won 3-0 there were bits and pieces there I wasn’t happy with.”
You got a lot of joy in the first half from corners?
“There are times we don’t want to jump two pages, we have to stay on this page before moving on. I’ve had a fantastic response from the whole group in terms of the appreciation of being a professional footballer.
“If you get that in you, you can go a long way. Knowing where you are and what size of football club you are at and thinking ‘I want to be part of that’. That makes you a better player overnight if you are humble. Then you put things in place to be the best that you can be.
“That’s roughly where we are in terms of the mental mindset and what I’m trying to bring to the football club. Then we go on the training pitch and try and make sure we are passing the ball and really looking after it, controlling the game.
“That was the most important thing today, we wanted to control the game. We were brave in terms of changing the team from last week and changing the shape – that doesn’t mean we’ll be the same next week. I’m delighted for everybody at the club we got the result and put on a performance.
“What pleases me the most is the clean sheet. We’re not getting carried away. We are where we are for a reason. When I came in there was a great platform to build on. All that’s missing is a bit of confidence. They are a great bunch of boys, let’s get together and galvanise it then see what we can do. Today is what happens when it goes your way. We rode our luck a little when they hit the post but having said that we had one or two cleared off the line.”
The manager jokingly disagreed with the suggestion that Graham Dorrans was ‘different class’ in this match:-
“He gave the ball away once! Every one of them played well. Just getting that win allows you to get that confidence and momentum, that carries and then we have competition for places. I’m really pleased.”
The manager appeared oblivious to the fact that the win had taken Dunfermline from tenth to sixth in the table.
“It is just a small step but we are ready to go.”
You must have enjoyed sending the fans away singing?
“That’s what it is all about– we’re in the entertainment game. That’s your stage. The fans pay good money and if they aren’t getting entertained they are entitled to boo. That’s football.
“When you are giving them that type of performance and winning, it is great to see. I just feel there is something fresh in the air and something fresh in the water. Whether it’s a couple of results, I don’t know but we won’t get carried away, keep the feet on the ground and big game next week.”
- - Hear Jim Duffy’s thoughts
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