Cardle's Confidence

"I have said from day one that we are the best side in the league. I think we can go there and beat them.

Joe Cardle would like to take the goalscoring form from Saturday's Scottish Cup tie into next weekend's fixture at Dens Park.

"It's a big game next up at Dundee. They are top of the league and I have said from day one that we are the best side in the league. I think we can go there and beat them. They beat us 1-0 there last time, it was a penalty but I still felt that we were the better side on the day. The way we have been playing in the last few games where we have got the rub of the green. I think we have a chance to be honest.

"We are a better all round team and I think that we have good players. There is no reason why we don't go there to get all three points. It is crucial to win three points at this time in the season. Games are running out and we have got to get these three points. Sunday is a big game for us so we just need to work hard this week in training and be ready for the big game."

Since joining from Airdrie United, Joe has made 17 appearances for Dunfermline Athletic but he has made just nine starts. He missed five matches at the end of 2009 with a broken hand and then an ankle injury and on Saturday he came on for Willie Gibson with just over half an hour to go. He said:-

"I was just happy to get on the pitch, it has been a while since I started a game at Dundee a good two to three months ago. The game was already won when I came on the pitch but I was pleased to make a goal and then have the confidence to go and have a shot that scored.

Joe's goal was yet another special effort and he admits to this being just how his goals tend to go in:-

"I don't want to be big headed but that is what I do. I came inside and took a pop that went in top bin again..

His 70th minute goal was his fourth of the season and each one has been rather special but even he knew that his side were already coasting when he struck:-

"When we scored the second goal I got the feeling that there could be four or five there."

The 22 year old Par paid tribute to the groundstaff who were at work by six o'clock on Saturday morning and also feels that his Manager's success in finding training opportunities during the severe weather gave Dunfermline a distinct advantage.

"When I woke up on the day of the match I wasn't expecting it to be on at all. Thanks go to everyone who looked after the pitch in the morning and all week

"I played in a game against Hamilton on Wednesday; I got half a game in that and got a good runabout. I feel a lot fitter and I have been doing my own stuff as well back home after training. I feel a lot fitter to be honest.

"Even though I am out of the team I am going to be called upon - it is up to me to come on the pitch and put in a performance so that I can start the next game. That is what I want to do starting on Sunday."