Manager Post Arbroath
Tuesday, 25th Feb 201425/02/14: JJ - "you could see that once we got the goal there was only going to be one winner really."
Listen to this Jim Jefferies interview
Jim Jefferies was pleased that following a good performance and great result on Saturday against Ayr United, his side continued from where they left off against a team that had 'caught us on the hop' last time:-
"You could see that their intention was to come and frustrate us, try and hit us on the break. They had everybody behind the ball, in fact they sat so deep that we had a lot of the play. I said to them at half time that in the last third we were making the wrong choice of pass or didn't execute the pass well enough.
"We were in front and if we upped it a wee bit we would get the second goal, I felt the game would open up and that's just what happened. It became a much better game when we got the second goal. We became a bit more relaxed about it and you saw one or two players who were maybe struggling to be at their best come away and play well in the last half hour.
"Husband and Geggan were immense in midfield for the whole game. I thought the defenders did well in the second half, especially Callum Morris, and they kept their second clean sheet (in succession). They looked more solid all round."
Hubby scored the opener and it was a special:-
"It was great. He has got that in his locker, we have seen that happen a few times this year. I felt that he had dipped in form but we brought him back. We are very strong in midfield and we have options. If you feel that somebody is needing that wee bit rest or a bit of motivation given there is competition for his place then we picked the right time to bring him back. Since he has been back in he has been excellent, he had a tremendous game today.
"Forbes was a wee bit quiet in the first half. His goal seemed to spark him in to a spell but with the game on Saturday we wanted to give one or two a rest but I feel sorry for Ross Millen - it was touch and go whether I chose him tonight.
"He played on Saturday, 76 minutes on Sunday (for Under 20s v Rangers) and I thought 'will I start him?' But after playing so well on Saturday I kept the same team. We told him even at half time that we would probably change him. We just let it settle for ten minutes before Ryan Williamson came on. He really only played the whole game on Sunday.
"I thought Josh Falkingham had a very good last half hour. How he got the goal in I don't know but it was great play down the left and a great ball in and a tight angle.
"One or two things didn't run for Shanks and Faiss tonight. They put a lot of effort in, a lot of work but just didn't get the break. They struggled a wee bit to get control but they worked their socks off. That's what you want. If it is not your night or things are not coming off, the one thing that you cannot accuse them of is that they go and hide and never take part. They are always looking for it and always trying to put people under pressure. Everybody else cashes in on that.
"It was a good solid performance. No disrespect to Arbroath but maybe the opposition here are higher up the league and stronger. They were maybe lacking a wee bit of confidence and you could see that once we got the goal there was only going to be one winner really."
Listen to Arbroath manager Paul Sheerin`s post match commentsViews : 3,075