Macca's New Year Resolve

01/01/11: "Each year there has been progress and that has continued in the first half of this season. That will mean nothing however if we do not continue that ...

New Year is not the most sociable of times when you are a professional footballer and with Manager Jim McIntyre putting a 10.00am start time for 1st January training, the Pars players were tucked up in bed early on Hogmanay with probably more alcohol in a Stephens' Sherry trifle than amongst the lot of them.

The gaffer's New Years Eve treat was to take his family to the cinema to see the Little Fockers and while he discovered that sequels just don't quite come up to the mark set by previous efforts, he is hopeful that his team can improve on the one point haul from the first two derbies against Raith Rovers this season.

"We will be trying to make amends from giving away our two goal lead. Rovers are on good form with two good away results so it will be a really difficult game. It is a great game to be involved in; the derbies are special and with it being the New Year game as well I'm sure the supporters will be right up for it.

"This season and last season the away support has been great. Away fans in general are louder than home fans, that is just a fact at every away ground. But especially in a derby they can really make themselves heard but it is up to us to give them something to be loud about. It is a two way street but we know that we will have their full backing and that will hopefully spur the players on."

Acknowledging that the first opponents of 2011 are going to be formidable, Macca pointed out Raith's strengths:-

"They have conceded the least goals in the league so defensively they are very strong. They have also got Tade and Baird up front who can cause teams problems so we will need to be at our best and play really well to get the result. We are more than capable of that if we can play to the levels that we set earlier on in the season."

Dunfermline trained on Friday at Toryglen and for the first time on one of the outdoor astroturfs. On New Years Day East End Park was the only facility available to them but at least that should be good preparation for what's awaiting them in Kirkcaldy.

As 2011 lies ahead Jim McIntyre added:-

"I would like to take the opportunity from the playing and management staff to wish everybody a happy and hopefully successful 2011. 2010 was a year of progress; each year there has been progress and that has continued in the first half of this season. That will mean nothing however if we do not continue that.

"It is such a difficult league but every year we have got better and better. The aim is to continue constantly progress as a team and as individuals. We want to improve our form and keep doing the right thing."

The transfer window opened at midnight but the New Year has not changed the Manager's attitude to discussing possible business.

"You will not draw me on that one but nobody will leave unless there is a silly bid but I don't think teams have got the money to make silly bids. In this financial situation that will not happen. We are looking to try and gain promotion, we are not looking to sell our best players. Everybody is available for a price but it would need to be a sizeable offer if it was going to be worthwhile."