Manager on Friday

"Thistle weren't at their best on Sunday but we know to look out for a reaction to that. They will be hurting that they got knocked out at the Semi Final stage,

Kids for a Quid at Dunfermline v Partick Thistle
Talking ahead of Saturday's First Division match against Partick Thistle, Pars boss Jim McIntyre conceded that there is never much between the teams. He wouldn't be surprised if there is just one goal between the teams and expects a tight game again. Looking back on the opening game of the season at Firhill, Jim said:-

"A draw would have been a fairer result; both teams put on a really good display that day. We hit the bar three times, the post and Thistle had a couple cleared off the line. They scored with a cracking volley with two minutes to go. It was a really good game of football - quite open. Both managers will be hoping that it is not that open tomorrow. I would take the same kind of performance again with us winning by the odd goal."

Macca has great admiration for the Jags players and the experience of manager Ian McCall.

"The sides are quite evenly matched with a mix of players of experience and some young players. I saw them on Sunday against Airdrie and Liam Buchanan is coming back. He is a good young player, a lively striker. Thistle weren't at their best on Sunday but we know to look out for a reaction to that. They will be hurting that they got knocked out at the Semi Final stage, we have got to be aware of that and start the game properly."

This is the start of the second round of fixtures in the SFL and the Pars boss would have liked even more points from the first nine fixtures:-

"It was a satisfactory first nine games the boys have done really well and it was important that we won at Clyde to make it a decent start. Had we not won at Clyde then it would have been a disappointing start. It just shows you the thin line there is between being satisfied or not. We know that we have to improve all the time; that is what we are striving for but it is a hard league.

"We won't get carried away, we are three points off the lead but with a couple of defeats and others winning that could turn into sixth or seventh. You just have to keep concentrating and doing your best everyday."

Scott Wilson is out of Saturday's match and in his absence Stephen Glass will lead the team out.  Ross Campbell's loan spell comes to an end with Saturday's game against the Jags. Greg Ross came through the matches against East Fife in the Fife Cup and Arbroath Reserves and will be considered for Saturday's match but Steven Bell picked up a groin injury in the reserve game and he is struggling to be fit. Jim is delighted to have Greg Ross back:-

"He is looking sharper all the time but it will still take him a wee while to get back to where he was."

Preview Dunfermline v Partick Thistle