Manager Friday Lunchtime

01/08/08: Optimistic outlook with another new player as a new seas

Jim McIntyre discussed his latest addition to the Pars squad - Andy Kirk who joined today from Yeovil Town.  The Pars Manager confirmed that Andy had been one of the players he had been looking at to bring to Dunfermline for some time.

"I am very pleased to have signed Andy. I think he will do a great job for the team and I think he could form a really good partnership with Graham Bayne.

"He's quick, knows where the goals are so I'm delighted to have him. I see him as a perfect foil for Graham Bayne, somebody who likes to play on the shoulder and gets into the box and score goals.  His goal record is very good, so we are hoping that it will be very productive.  He has signed for three years."

Further players coming in on potential loan deals appear to be tricky. Macca admitted:

"I've had a couple of knock backs on loan deals, but I am waiting on a decision about another one."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's opening league match against Partick Thistle Jim McIntyre described it as a difficult start:-

"An away one to start with but one we are looking forward to.  The boys have been flying in training so I think everyone is ready to get started now.  We will need to be at our best to beat them. They are a good organised team, against my ex-Manager and he will have them wound up ready to go.  They have a bit of physical strength about them, and good experience."

The Manager confirmed that Steven Bell, Greg Ross and himself were the only long term injuries. He thought that his close season signing from Stirling Albion, Steven Bell, can be expected back in training in a fortnight:-

"He's doing very well, running well and so is Greg Ross.  Greg trained one session this week with the team and is doing a mini pre-season. Graeme Holmes trained the last couple of days, with no reaction to his injury."

Macca confirmed that it would be Tuesday before Graeme would be considered for the squad, Saturday is just too early.

Asked if he had a message for the fans as the new league campaign commences tomorrow, he gave a rallying call:-

"Just get behind us and give us all your support.  I demand my team works hard, that's a given. They must try and play the game in the right way and win games.

"The message to the fans is to get right behind us because we need them. There is no doubt you need the fans. It's been a disappointment the last few years, we know that, they know that, we need each other.  We're not daft, we know that we have got to give them something to shout about but at the same time they need to give us a lift sometimes when things aren't going well.It is a two-way street, it's a two-way street all the time.

"We know that if we don't perform we will be subject to criticism and that's part and parcel of football.  Players have to take that on board, management have to take that on board and we do.  We're well aware of that.

"So it's important that they get behind us.  The least I will expect is 100% every game, every minute they are there and the way they train is the exact same.  If they see us giving that, then we want them to get behind us.  There has been far too much negativity about the place for a long time."