Chris Smith Post United

"We just need to focus on our own game and when the split comes we still have to play with them (Hibs)

Chris Smith felt that a 3-0 defeat was hard to take given the team had worked so hard:-

"They are a really good side who are on a high at the moment; they are on a good run but it is losing goals at poor times this season that has eventually killed us this season."

Dundee United certainly weren't a team that were going to miss out given half a chance:-

"They have got quality with big Jon Daly and Johnny Russell up front, Rankin runs the middle of the park and they are very solid in their back line. They have had seven or eight clean sheets in the last ten or eleven games. They are no slouches but unfortunately for us they ran our game in the second half and punished us."

Jon Daly's opening goal came from a long throw in by Robbie Neilson that the Pars defence failed to clear, Chris continued:-

"It popped about and just sat up nicely for him; the big man finished it well. There was a wee bit of pinball in the 18 yard box but it just our luck at the moment - it fell to him and the big man spun and scored a great goal. He's a handful - good on the deck as well as in the air. He has bags of experience as well and done well for Dundee United."

Turning to the need for Jim Jefferies to sign up another goalkeeper for Dunfermline Chris accepts that there is an immediate need given that only 18 year old Ryan Goodfellow is his only back up.

"I am focussed but it is all about playing games and hopefully getting as steady games as possible. I want to play as many games as I can and hopefully do a turn for the manager. I am out of contract in the summer so hopefully I can do and see what will happen then."

Chris explained that the manager had pulled him aside shortly after he had arrived to tell him of his intentions given Paul Gallacher's stand in, Iain Turner had left the club.

"I am not stupid I knew that he had to bring somebody in, I just need to keep on my toes."

The Pars left Tannadice still just three points behind eleventh placed Hibs who play Inverness on Sunday afternoon. Chris did not see that as the easiest fixture for the other team in the relegation battle:-

"Inverness are a right good side but we just need to focus on our own game and when the split comes we still have to play with them. We have no affect on what they do, it's just about keeping our heads right."