Keep Calm Do Your Thing
Wednesday, 20th Apr 2022Matty Todd - “We recognised the situation that we were in and we had to go and win that second half.”
Saturday’s match was a massive result claimed 20 year old Matty Todd:-
“I`m glad that we picked up the three points because it was much needed. I felt that it was a wee bit nervy at the start of the first half. I think the boys recognised the situation that we are currently in and nerves were showing in the first half.
“We weren’t playing our fluent football that the fans have seen here at East End recently. In the second half it was like, ‘let’s go and do our thing’, get the result and the three points.”
With the team not firing on all cylinders the manager had to make the best of his half time team talk. Matty explained:-
“Obviously we weren’t at it at all. It was one where he just needed to calm all the boys down, keep to our own game plan and try and do what we can do. We recognised the situation that we were in and we had to go and win that second half.”
When the second half kicked off Matty found himself in a back three after Coll Donaldson was forced off with a groin strain and the centre back’s replacement, Lewis McCann, was sent on to play upfront alongside Kevin O’Hara. Matty commented on his role for the second 45:-
“We have not played a back three very much this season but when we do, the manager wants his wide centre backs to get forward and join into the attack. It is something that with me and Josh Edwards playing in those positions recently he wants us forward, getting crosses in the box and helping the forward players.
“Sometimes the defence looked shaky but we picked up the three points. It was just a case of going for it, we realised the situation and we needed to go and win the game. Me and Josh just flooded forward with the rest of the midfielders and attackers. Efe Ambrose had enough experience back there himself, so I had full confidence in Efe.”
It was the 79th minute before the Pars were able to get back on level terms with two substitutes Reece Cole and then Nikolay Todorov finding the net.
“Scoring those two goals late in the second half by the two boys who came off the bench shows that substitutes can have impact. It shows that the team can now be confident in the knowledge that they can have an impact coming off the bench.”
The Pars support had grown concerned as the clock had ticked down but after the first goal from Reece, Matty felt the supporters greatly helped encourage the winner:-
“They come out in their numbers each week and show the lads the passion around the place. The football isn’t always great but they show that they love the club. It was important for them that we picked up the three points to send them home happy on Saturday night. It is the first time that I have seen celebrations like that in recent times here at East End.”
While the players left the pitch amidst a buoyant atmosphere Matty is sticking with the much used adage of one game at a time:-
“We are looking forward to Saturday against Partick Thistle. We are hoping for another big backing from the Dunfermline fans, we need every single one of those Dunfermline fans to come out and support us.”
Matty has started the last six Dunfermline matches at right back and while enjoying the regular starts he admitted it came as a surprise to be selected in that position:-
“Looking at it now I am thoroughly enjoying playing at right back. It is something that I have got to adapt to especially in a quick period of time. I am just glad to be in the team.”
Matty has now made 18 starts in his 22 of his Dunfermline appearances this season and as part of the starting eleven, he accepts the responsibility of keeping Dunfermline up:-
“I feel a real part of the team now. I know that I am one of the younger lads in the group but I feel that I can take responsibility when it is needed and I’m sure most boys would say that too.
“Looking forward to Saturday, we have picked up a couple of good results against Thistle this season and we go there hoping that we can pick up another three points.”
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