Greg Shields out until October
Monday, 14th Aug 2006Leishman laments:- "The upside in getting something yesterday is spoiled by having one of your best players injured. It has been unbelievable."
Following the draw against Rangers, Jim Leishman's celebrations were short lived when he found out that Greg Shields has joined his long term injury list.
"When you get points off any of the Old Firm teams it is a bonus ball. We got that yesterday because the Dunfermline players worked their socks off and it was pleasing that they worked as a unit. The downside was going into work this morning to find out that Greg Shields has been for a scan and he is going to be out for six or seven weeks.
"The upside in getting something yesterday is spoiled by having one of your best players injured. It has been unbelievable."
Following a twist to his knee at Falkirk the Pars defender who will be 30 next Monday joins the list of those unavailable for selection including Scott Morrison, Scott Thomson, Darren Young, Noel Whelan, Jim McIntyre, Freddie Daquin and Aaron Labonte. Leish added "We had eight players sitting in the stand for different reasons."
"The hardest part of the training last week wasn't the running, the ball skills etc the biggest thing when you play against teams like Celtic and Rangers, some players - I'm not saying all players - are beat before they go on the park. Thinking we cannot do this, we will not achieve that, we are understrength and it is knocking that out of them to give them positive thoughts so that they can start the game and give themselves a chance."
Leish felt that his team were worthy of their point and they have been unlucky not to have taken something from the first two games:-
"We were disappointed that we didn't get anything from Hearts. Hearts are a strong team and they have invested a lot of money in their squad but the second 45 minutes at East End Park our players were magnificent, we equalised and then we thought their winning goal was offside but on the telly it was 50/50 so you accept that the linesman was not sure and given Hearts the decision instead of us. You win some you lose some.
"Against Falkirk we didn't play particularly well but we created three or four good chances. We beat them 2-1 the year before without creating as many chances. We could have been sitting on four points and we think we are at least two points short."
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