Lessons in the Far East

"I still have some petrol in the tank yet and I am aware when you are playing alongside players who have maybe not played at this level it helps having a few experienced boys there

East Fife Manager, Stevie Crawford was hurting from a heavy defeat at the hands of his old club but he was optimistic for Jim McIntyre's new look squad:-

"Macca would be the first to admit that last season it was their stranger home form that costs them.  They must rectify that.It was exciting to see they way they went about their business against us.I knew that they had done well against Dundee United.  He has brought in a few fresh faces, it is a younger squad and I am sure Dunfermline will hold their own next season.It will be great for them if they can be challenging at the top."

Turning to his own responsibilities, he felt that his players had been working away on their fitness- but this match was a lesson on the football side.

"It could have been more but it hurts me and with the type of lads I have, it will be hurting them as well.

"I have always respected managers who make sure that what's said in the dressing room stays in the dressing room, whether or not it is a pre season game or not.  It is not what we are looking for at East Fife, I will not go into it individually or mention names, but for the standard that we are trying to bring to East Fife Football Club, that is well off the pace.

"We will try and take positives from that.They say that you learn something everyday but I am not going to slaughter people whether it was a mistake in the first or the last minute.It is just an unacceptable standard no doubt how good Dunfermline moved the ball about.

"It is exciting for East Fife to play St Mirren last week and Dunfermline here.We have good facilities here and we have been working hard to bring quality to the club and stability next season.

"We will try to build and bring youths into the side; it is difficult but at the same time it is something that the staff are excited about.  Do we learn from that or do we end up feeling sorry for ourselves?  Good teams always respond.

"It is absolutely vital that we do not let the heads go down and let that performance take away confidence from us."

Stevie signed two players on the eve of the match against Dunfermline - 20 year old Mark Staunton from Falkirk and 19 year old Darren Gourlay from Peterborough:-

"Mark played centre half for Falkirk but played up front for us.He is an honest lad who could play at a higher level.It is great to have him on board. Darren is desperate to impress.

"There have been cut backs everywhere in football but my Chairman and the board have been great in letting me get the players I have on board. I am well aware it is a young squad but with the type of characters that we have got, we feel that there is something to work from.

Stevie at the age of 35 has also signed the experienced, former Pars captain, Scott Thomson:-

"Scott had a great career at Dunfermline and his experience will be vital."   Stevie will probably play in midfield alongside Scott:-

"I still had a year left on my contract and it can be difficult but I have Scott Crabb, Jason Dair and Gordon Forrest on board so I just have to get the football head on at times.I am learning a day at a time, even going on the training ground as the manager it is a different experience. I feel that through pre season I have done all the running and never missed a day.  I still have some petrol in the tank yet and I am aware when you are playing alongside players who have maybe not played at this level it helps having a few experienced boys there or thereabouts to help them through the season."

Good luck to Stevie Crawford in his role as Player Manager at East Fife.There will be many a Pars fan scanning down to read the Second Division results on a Saturday night.