Jim Jefferies looks ahead to 2014

31/12/13: JJ "Where I will be this time next year? Hopefully in the Championship looking forward to a New Year Derby against Raith Rovers.

Looking ahead to where Dunfermline might be this time next year, Jim Jefferies hopes that is at the helm in the Championship:-

"I have signed my contract and I enjoy working at this football club. Seeing how everybody has pulled together has made it enjoyable and I want to play a part in at least giving them a foundation to go and take it on.

"It would be a nice way to finish up in the Championship, maybe have one more crack or even consolidating in the Championship. If that happens these boys will be a lot better players, I hope we can keep them because we have got some good players and clubs are always looking at your players. You cannot hold your players back."

Could that be an immediate risk in the January transfer window?

"There is nobody out of contract then so it would have to take some decent money (to accept an offer) and that means that it would only help the Club. It would harm our chances of getting promoted but that is a Board decision - to decide what is more important. Going up or taking that sort of money.

"It is maybe worth £300,000, £400,000 to go up. If somebody gives you that for a player it takes the pressure off going up; that way it is guaranteed whereas you might work away all season and when you face the final hurdle it is just not your day or not get the breaks. But we feel that we have a team if it can be kept together and if we get into to the play offs then we will be very close to promotion to the Championship."

Fans of course are already looking upwards and relishing what might be a great mix in the second flight of Scottish football next season. The Manager has not avoided taking a speculative view of this either:-

"The Championship will be a great league next year and that might be a good way to finish, still helping the Club on the football side of things. I'd like to nurture John Potter and Neil McCann and give them a bit more (responsibility). Right now they are learning and I am giving them their head to get a bit more experience.

"I will probably see out my contract through to 2015, so where will I be this time next year? Hopefully in the Championship looking forward to a New Year Derby against Raith Rovers. It all depends who goes up but what could our league be like? With no disrespect to anybody, we could be playing Falkirk, Rangers will be there, if Hearts come down that would be a cracking league and much more interesting than the Premier League and you want to be part of it."