Kyle says keep calm and lift the points
Friday, 4th Nov 2022KB:- “Sometimes things boil over and it can make an affect on the game. We need to make sure we are calm and we`re composed on the pitch whatever happens.”
With their closed season move from Raith Rovers to Falkirk the management team of John McGlynn and Paul Smith made sure that they retained their derby challenges against Dunfermline Athletic. The sight of the duo in the Falkirk dugout on Saturday will be “nice” according to the Pars captain Kyle Benedictus who revealed that they had only exchanged a couple of words with their former captain in the first fixture of the season played at East End Park. The travelling support however will be full of hope of another successful away day and a triumph over their continued adversaries.
"I didn`t really get to speak to him that much when they came here, I got a couple of words from them. I think when it comes to game day you`re focussed on your own team. They`ll be just as fired up as we`re going to be and they`ll be trying to get three points for their club as while we try to get three points for Dunfermline Football Club hoping that the fans go home happy at the end of the day."
In the past John McGlynn has come up with troublesome ways to play against Dunfermline, ways which Kyle has been party too.
"I`ve got the utmost respect for John. I worked with him for what must be four or five years and I know how their team will play, a similar style to what it was at Raith. They like to get the ball down and pass it. The first half here they showed how good they are if you give them that space to go and pass. If you just keep trying to chase them they`ll try and switch the ball around you.
“So we`ll need to try and do what we did in the second half here. I thought in the second half of that game we were the better team. We need to make sure we are at it from the start because I imagine it`ll be a hectic first 20 minutes. Both sets of players will be at it and it`s about who can settle down most in the game and not get too caught up in the occasion.
“Sometimes things boil over and it can make an affect on the game. We need to make sure we are calm and we`re composed on the pitch whatever happens.”
Kyle is on record after the September derby against Falkirk admitting that he didn`t expect the extent of the rivalry between the two clubs but points out that is what will make it even more special on Saturday:-
"It`s exciting for the fans, it`s a big game, so we`re all looking forward to it - but as we go into every game it`s just another three points at the end of the day. We know what it means to each set of fans, I imagine for Falkirk it`ll be the same, there`s a buzz going around probably at both clubs just now and it`s something we`re all really looking forward to."
The home match attracted a crowd of 6670 and was the third highest attendance in Scotland that day. Kyle expects the gate at The Falkirk Stadium to attract another impressive figure:-
“To be in League One and these two clubs to generate that much support at games, it just shows how big both clubs are. In terms of the size of club, on paper it`s one of our hardest games of the season but it`s no different to any other game you play in - every other game of football is different and brings its own challenges.
“There`ll probably be a big atmosphere from both sets of fans, it`s for the bragging rights for them as well, so we want to make sure that we`re doing our best for our fans, giving our all. Hopefully by the time the final whistle goes we`ve got the three points that we need to come out on top."
Sam Fisher was a late sub in the first Falkirk match but has started all five since then. Kyle praised the performance of his 21 year old co-defender:-
"He had to bide his time when he first got here, but he`s come in and slotted in really nicely. I think the manager had him at Dundee when he was there and you can see the quality he brings. It`s what we need at the club, he`s doing brilliantly so far."
A mentoring role is assumed by Kyle but that is not just for Sam Fisher’s sake, he stressed:-
"I try my best with every player. I think that`s one of the things I`ve got - My leadership, I can be a leader out there. Not just people who play around us, it`s the whole team. I like to think I know what other people need in games. I`ve said it before, some people need a wee pat on the shoulder, some people just need a wee shout or a wee grilling sometimes. I don`t know what it is but my voice seems to get squeakier at a game on a Saturday.
“I’m there to help everybody, I`ve mentioned it before - it takes 11 boys out there leaders. Some boys are maybe quieter, they might not be as loud as me but they`re still giving instructions on the pitch and you need everybody to be there.
“As I`ve said before, the team spirit in the dressing room is brilliant - around the club there is a nice feeling going about the place, which the other boys have mentioned as well. So I’m happy to be part of getting that back. It’s about getting this club back to winning games of football, and we’ve been doing that this season. We just need to keep doing what we`ve been doing and hopefully we can continue that."
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