Jim McIntyre on his first year as manager.

Jim McIntyre talks on how he has found his first year in management.

Jim McIntyre one year on

On 4th December Par gaffer. Jim McIntyre will have been in charge for a whole year and looking back over these 12 months be admits that he never thought that the job would occupy his mind so much. Of course its impossible to switch off if you take match recordings home with you!

"You think about it 14/7, I find it hard to switch off. It's been great, I have loved it. I really enjoy the job and enjoy coming to my work every day. I enjoy trying to improve players and it's great when you get results."

Jim McIntyre recognises that there is a difference when he is in player mode from manager mode.

"I am one of these players who has always been very vocal and demanding."

It is important when I do come on the park that I concentrate on being the player and let my staff get on with taking things from the sidelines."

Whether he has taken part or watched from the sidelines, after matches Jim is always very keen to get his hands on the DVD recordings of the matches filmed for him by Pars TV. He says that he uses recordings to examine every aspect of games.

"For instance in the home game against Dundee we had 34 crosses to their 10. Where we were trying to cross was far too deep - it was food and drink for their defenders"

"We worked on that for the Livingston game, trying to get behind them and down the sides of them to get balls in from there so it is more dangerous. We definitely got that."

"You take what you see in the video on the training ground during the week. You tell your fullbacks and wide men 'Look where you were crossing the ball from, look at the options'"

"When the full back is on the ball we examine where the strikers are and where your midfielders are in relation to that. Does that man on the ball get enough options? You work on everything, every aspect of it."

The manager considers himself fortunate that his players are just as interested in the video analysis:-

"It's been really beneficial and the players have taken to it. We have an honest bunch here who want to improve. It is designed to improve players, not to point at those who never did this or that. It puts a picture in their head.2

"I have probably watched this video twice before I come in on Monday. We have it all tagged into sections, as well but I first watch it as normal and then turn to the tagged version. I note the number of crosses, the goalkeeper distribution, turnovers - giving the ball away and how many times we won it back."

Let's hope it's all worthwhile and there's better viewing ahead on the McIntyre telly soon.