Manager Monday Lunchtime

16/03/09: "We just need to go up there and believe we can get a result ...

Jim McIntyre hopes to have Graham Bayne back for the Cup replay against Aberdeen on Wednesday evening. Unfortunately the Pars boss has received news that Kevin Harper has found it necessary to return to see the surgeon about his troublesome knee.Andy Kirk will be ruled out as well with the Manager estimating a lay off of around two weeks being the striker's most likely lay off.  The Manager reflected on his injury situation:-

"We were quite healthy there for a wee while and we had a wee run (without injuries).It is not ideal but we just have to get on with it.

Dunfermline face Aberdeen who as the Premierleague club will have all the pressures to win on them.McIntyre expanded:-

"They have shown that although they are a match, if we can play at the top of our game.Three times this season we have played against Premierleague opposition this year and acquitted ourselves quite well.If we can play the way that we played the last time, we will give a good account of ourselves.

"In the last game against Aberdeen we started really well but as you expect, Aberdeen came right back into it and had us penned in for a good 20 minutes.  Paul Gallacher had one or two saves to make but they had lots of pressure. They are a quality side but we made a couple of changes and worked our way back into the game.I think we more than deserved a draw and could have nicked it towards the end.

"We just need to go up there and believe we can get a result. It is no use turning up thinking you are only there to take part.We will put our game plan on to theirs and see if it's good enough on the night.

Some might think that following seven league defeats out of fourteen this season at East End Park it would be to Dunfermline's advantage that the replay is an away fixture.

"Our home form has been poor, very poor, but our away form has been excellent so hopefully that will continue."

The Manager agreed with the suggestion that if things didn't go well for the Dons that there home support might get on their backs.

"Most home fans are the same if it's not going then they will let you know about it.  That is only natural.Hopefully the players can perform to the best of their abilities and we will see where that takes us."

Away from the Homecoming Scottish Cup, Jim McIntyre would not rule out the chances of catching the league leaders in the First Division.

"We know it is going to be very difficult because of the results we have had, we have lost the last four home games.We know the position we are in and what we need to do to have any chance.  Probably we are relying on other people as well, but we are not out of it.

"We have three games in hand on some other teams, its all to play for in the League.It is up to us, but in the last two and half games we have played some really good stuff for periods in the game, but we have just not had that bit of lady luck.  Sometimes you need that in games, especially with the goal that wasn't given on Saturday.

"I don't want to keep bleating on about that goal, but it was a horrendous decision - it was two yards on side.  That is really disappointing because if it's borderline you could understand it but you can see it on the video.  He doesn't know if he is going to put his flag up or not, it is embarrassing.The ref ran away, he gave the goal but there you go you just don't get the breaks."

Rory Loy's inclusion in the Scotland U21 squad for the double-header in the European Championships against Albania means that Dunfermline will be without the services of the on loan striker for the two league games later on this month away to Ross County and at home to Dundee. Jim McIntyre explained:-

"I spoke to Billy Stark last week and he told me that and I just have to be glad that he has not called Nick in as well.  He was right on the edge of that as well" and Macca jokingly added "I am just glad he had a nightmare in his second game!

"It is well done to Rory and a credit that he has been pulled into the squad, but it is a blow for us to lose him, but it is the same for Dundee with Andrew Shimmie, that's just the way it goes."

"Billy has been keeping an eye on Nick for some time now and watched him at Livingstone last week as well.  They had a couple of injuries last time and he got into the squad. He knows all about Nick so it is up to him to keep playing well and keep trying to score goals and hopefully he will get the shout the next time.

Turning to the news of new contracts being agreed to keep Nick Phinn and Callum Woods at Dunfermline until the end of season 2010-11, Jim McIntyre said he was delighted:-

"They are a joy to work with, they are keen to learn and take on board what you are trying to say.The biggest thing for me is that they want to improve. They definitely have a future in the top flight."