Manager on Thursday

13/02/14: JJ: - "They've got a lot of experience about their team and they're the type of players that can punish you if you make it easy for them

Jim Jefferies wants to see his team bounce back from the cup defeat at Ibrox in their last game. He acknowledged that Rangers can play badly and still win, which is the sign of a good team.

"I wouldn't have been as bothered with the 4-0 result against us the last time at home. We competed better than we did on Friday night. But it's gone, you only get one chance. I told the players they can't do anything about the result but they can do something about improving the performance in the next game. That's what we aim to do."

Turning to Saturday's match and the opponents Forfar Athletic who they have struggled to get the better of this season, JJ said:-

"I thought we played really well the last time up there but still got beat 4-0. Again, it was down to basic mistakes and that's what we need to cut out to get a result, because we played very well the last time. Maybe the score doesn't reflect that but it was gifts as far as we're concerned.

"We're different because we've got Grainger, Page and Forbes back available, so we'll be a much more experienced team than has gone up there in the past, and we'll be looking to bounce back and get a good response.

"We've seen a terrific response from the boys in training this week. From experience, after a result like that, you know invariably you can find some feeling sorry for themselves and you have to gee them up and get them going. Or maybe some of them might even be on the treatment table, thinking 'I don't fancy it today'. But not one of them has been on the treatment table.

"They were all out there and have been buzzing all week. They know there's serious competition for places. My worry was because of the way we've played and the effort we've put in and the training, it's nice to bring in some players and give others a wee rest. It's not that they've been dropped, some need a couple of games out of it.

"We did that against East Fife and we've now got that option. We've constantly been relying on young boys all the time and you need to give them a break. Bringing in the three we have will allow us to do that and keep them fresh.

"The focus now will be on trying to get that play-off place cemented quickly and then it will let us prepare even better for the play-offs by giving some players a rest as we get towards the end of the season.

"The boys coming in have given us great competition for places and experience. It's understandable that one or two who have been constantly there or thereabouts have maybe shaded, physically as well as mentally.

"They'll come back fresher once they've had a week or two out, whatever I decide to do. But they'll all want to play, and that's a good thing. Sometimes they're just taken out for their own good.

"There's a tough week coming up, with Ayr United, Arbroath and Stranraer - three massive games. If we can come out with the lion's share of the points there, then you know it's going to be difficult for other teams.

"With thirteen games to go, if you've got a five or six point advantage then teams need to win all their games and for you not to. Nothing's easy in the run-in, so we've got to make sure they're prepared for it properly and get the right balance."

Forfar Athletic are always fired up up for games against Dunfermline. That's understandable because they have got a lot of Dunfermline connections, with Dick and Ian Campbell and former players like Iain Campbell and Chris Templeman.

"They raise their game a wee bit more. We know that, so we've got to be aware of that. If we can cut out the mistakes and play as well as we did up there the last time, we'll do all right.

"We watched the video and couldn't believe how well we played - and got beat 4-0. We deservedly got beat, don't get me wrong. Forfar deserved to win, because they cashed in on the mistakes we made, very easily, and that's what we can't allow to happen again. They've got a lot of experience about their team and they're the type of players that can punish you if you make it easy for them.

Jim Jefferies has successfully concluded an extension to Andy Geggan's contract with the player's agent and he will now turn his negotiation skills on more of his targets including Josh Falkingham:-

"Next week, there will be further chats with boys we've offered contracts to. We want to get the game out of the way and then plan to chat on Monday with one agent.

"I'll be talking to Josh's agent next week as well. It's a positive sign, because they've asked to speak to me, so we'll wait and see what happens there. It might be to tell me they're sticking to their guns! Or that they want to talk further. I didn't want to talk with them about it. I wanted to get Saturday's game out of the way and then meet them on Monday, and they agreed with that. I always look on the positive side and that's the way I'm looking at it."

Almost forgetting about the availability of his players to meet Forfar, the Pars gaffer was happy to confirm that the only person on the treatment table was the coach who had overdone things on the training ground:-

"We've got a full squad, Neil McCann's the only injury!"