Manager on Friday

09/10/09: "You just don't get an easy game but we must make sure that we give ourselves a platform to go and win a game by defending properly.

Jim McIntyre has had Saturday's opponents Ayr United watched, he knows their manager and a good few of their players. He recognises that they will be well organised and boosted following their 1-0 win over the Rovers last time out.

"They have players who have played at this level and above before and will be a decent side. Their great result over Raith Rovers last week will have given them confidence and they will come to East End with a spring in their step.

"We have got to win the game, it is as simple as that. For all our good play we have got to take three points. Nothing else will do, we must win the battle."

Ayr have experienced players in their squad who will relish returning to a larger stadium. Macca played alongside Mark Roberts at Kilmarnock where the 33 year old made 113 appearances for and his former team mate said:-

"He is a good player, clever and good at taking the ball in. They have players who know what its about.

"You just don't get an easy game but we must make sure that we give ourselves a platform to go and win a game by defending properly. When mistakes keep happening it drains the confidence but even at 4-1 down against Queen of the South they responded; they tried and had loads of attempts at goal. OK Queen of the South sat back but they still tried to do the right things and that's the way we want it, trying to play the game in the way that suits our players.

"We have players who can excite the crowd and hurt teams. We need to do that a bit more and improve our ratio in terms of the final ball and ultimate shot at goal. The ball needs to be put away."

Strikers are not always the ones to look out for as the Manager recalled the contribution from midfielders:-

"Steven Bell scored three goals early on in this season, Nick (Phinn) got off the mark last time out so hopefully others can start contributing. Defenders could maybe nick one or two at corners as well. Its about the team, it is not about individuals - we live or die as a team."

The weekend without a fixture has for once worked in the Pars favour. Andy Dowie and Graeme Holmes would have been out last week with the flu and now four of the six injured players are back in contention.  David Graham has trained all week with no reaction:-

"It is great to have him back because he is a very big player for us who started the season excellently. Glass and Bell are out. Paul Willis hurt himself in training and won't be back in training until Monday.

Positive result from the three games in the next week could radically alter the complexion of the league table

"Good results can turn things quickly, that's the way football is. We have a chance to get a few points on the board but the other teams will be saying the exact same thing. It is up to us to go and get them."

On Tuesday and Saturday Dunfermline will travel the miles up the A9 but Macca doesn't view the long journeys as much of a disadvantage:-

"You are only talking about two and a half hours. It is not as though you are five hours on a plane and the boys will be well prepared. They will be well rested in between games."