Nick Phinn raring to go

Younger and refreshed Pars go up river to kick off their season against Binos.

Nick Phinn reflected on the first twelve days of pre season training, admitting that despite been hard going it had been good:-

"There has been a lot of hard running and not much of the ball, we are gradually getting there now and with the ball coming out it is good. The pitches are a bit hard but the downpours have helped soften them.

"There are a lot of new boys and the squad is younger. They have fitted in well - they know us from playing against them, they are not total strangers. Joe (Cardle) was here towards the end of last season and the others who have come in have settled really good."

The 20 year old midfielder is looking forward to the first game of the new season at Forthbank on Wednesday night:-

"We played them last season in the Challenge Cup at home and a similar result (3-0) would be nice. We don't know yet what the Manager's ideas are; what's happening with squads and we might not find out until tomorrow."

Scorer of 12 goals in 46 matches last season, Nick is hoping to be able to pitch in with a significant contribution again this season:-

"After the amount I tallied up last year I'm sure the Manager will be looking for the same again this year. I enjoyed the role of getting forward last season, so hopefully it will be more of the same."

Dunfermline's midfield is bound to be different this season since Jim McIntyre has signed another three wide players to augment the services of David Graham and Simon Wiles. New boys Steven McDougall, Joe Cardle and Willie Gibson are all wide players and youngsters Scott McBride and Paul Willis have also come through the ranks operating on the flanks. Nick will meet competition from Graeme Holmes, Stephen Glass, Alex Burke and Steven Bell with the latter probably relishing the opportunity to be deployed in a more central position. Nick reflected:-

"Sometimes last season Steven had to take a shot going wide when we were short of numbers but we are definitely not short this season for natural wide players. It will be a good thing; people will be pushing for places and it will drive boys on knowing that they have to perform to keep their place in the team. There will be good competition this year."

The fact that there will be five pre season friendlies in 13 days Nick claims suits the players:-

"You'd rather be playing games than just training. The games come thick and fast so it will give everyone a chance to get a good amount of game time."

After the game at Stirling the team have a match in North East England against Blue Square Conference side Blyth Spartans on Saturday. Maybe no bad thing to get to grips with time in a bus since the First Division this season is going to involve a fair amount of travelling. Nick ended:-

"We have to wait for the league to kick off in August; there are some new faces to play - Ayr United, Inverness and Raith Rovers - and a bit further to travel for some."