Manager Friday lunchtime

27/02/09: It's time to deliver. Morton is the start of a run of games in March that will determine what we achieve this season.

The Morton game on Saturday begins a programme of seven games in the next twenty two days and Jim McIntyre has warned his team that "it's now or never" in terms of challenging for promotion.

Stephen Glass and Scott Thomson will be in the squad that will travel down to the Tail of the Bank but he awaits news on David Graham who has been ill for a few days this week. Kevin Harper and Simon Wiles are the only two players still ruled out.

Macca knows that Davie Irons' Morton team will be big and physical:-

"They are difficult opponents. We managed a draw down there last time but they beat us at home but hopefully we can redress the balance. Our away form is really good so we can go into the game with confidence.

"Morton is the start of a run of games in March that will determine what we achieve this season. We know what we need to do, where we are in the league and if we want to make a challenge how many points we need to take. It is clear in our minds and now it is about going out there and doing it.

"We have a chance of getting to a cup semi final as well so it is up to us. There are thirteen games left and you are not going to get many more chances to claw the points back. The players know that, we have discussed it and it's now or never if we are going to mount a challenge and whether we are going to progress in the cup.

"That doesn't make it any easier. The players are the ones who have to go out there and do it. They have to go and do what they have been doing away from home and do it on a more regular basis. There have been some excellent performances away but our achille's heel has been the consistency.

"We just cannot put a run together. People are fed up with me talking about it, I'm fed up talking about it. It is time to deliver, if we don't deliver then we don't deserve it."

The Manager confirmed that he will be utilising all his squad in his quest to be as successful as possible.

"Even when players have played well there will be changes because of the number of games we face. We will have to weigh each game up as we come to it - see who is looking a bit tired."

Airdrie United wingers Joe Cardle and Stephen McDougall have signed pre contract agreements to join Dunfermline at the end of the season but Macca felt it unfair to discuss another club's players.

"You have got to look at the player and ask whether he could play in the Premierleague. You target players who you think are good enough to progress - good, young, hungry players. Finance comes into it as well and you need to know what market you are in."