Managers Post QOS

02/10/10: JM - "The difference out there today was the two mistakes. I wouldn't blame the keeper for the defeat, what let us down was our final ball today.

Jim McIntyre commented after the match:-

"Obviously Pat (Clarke) has hit the post from distance but I thought it was an even game and there was nothing between the teams. It was really two mistakes that cost us the game today.  You could visibly see the lift that the first mistake gave Queens. There was nothing in the game and I think the first goal was always going to win it but to come in the fashion that it did was something that we weren't expecting. We have been ruthless this season and taken our chances but today we didn't take them."

In defence of his keeper Chris Smith, the Manager said:-

"He has been brilliant for us and won us many a point this season already. He made a mistake today and he was punished for it. He has been a big player for us and he will be in the future. The only positive from the afternoon is that we have stayed top of the table. This is a league that there is not much between the teams. The difference out there today was the two mistakes. I wouldn't blame the keeper for the defeat, what let us down was our final ball today. We will lick our wounds and bounce back."

The match was played in wet and windy weather but the Pars Manager wouldn't use that as an excuse for the defeat or the mistakes:-

"We spoke about the conditions and making sure that we didn't make any mistakes.  We got into some good positions but huffed and puffed today; I could have taken any one of the wide players off, any one of the strikers and any one of the midfield too.  As I always say 'goals change games' and the mistakes gave them a lift."

Willie McLaren's goal was described as a "marvellous finish" by the Pars gaffer:-

"Chris Higgins should have dealt with it.  I don't know if it was an awkward bounce or if he took his eye off the ball but we need to give credit to  Willie's finish.  We know he has that in his locker. We kept going after that and kept trying to get into forward positions."

With Stirling Albion's 2-0 win at Starks Park, Dunfermline stay league leaders although Falkirk are now three points closer in the chase.  Macca said that the only positive to take out of the day was that they were still top of the table.

"We go into the international break still top of the table but there is a long way to go.  In this league it is so evenly matched; teams are all at the same level and it is all about putting your chances away.  The first goal is crucial, they got it today and went on to win the game."

The Manager confirmed that despite there being no matches until 16th October the players will be in all week training as normal. 

"They will get next weekend off but there's a reserve game on Tuesday to look forward to for the boys who need a game,"

Ross County are the next opponents and they lost 2-0 as well - to Partick Thistle:-

"That just re-iterates what kind of league that we are in.  That is why you need to keep your feet on the ground and not get too carried away when you have two or three good results."

Queen of the South Manager, Kenny Brannigan felt that his side had contributed to forcing Dunfermline into errors that proved to be crucially important in securing three points for the Dumfries team.

"For the first goal I thought the goalie made a balls up but wee Willie (McLaren) put him under pressure to make the mistake. Then the second goal was brilliant, I thought it was magic. I will take these two goals any day. I thought the header (just before the second goal) was good as well. I couldn't see why the header was offside.

"Dunfermline had quite a lot of the play in the first half but we came into it in the final 15 minutes. They pressed quite a lot in the final 10 minutes of the match but I thought even then we got out of jail a bit.

"I thought every one of the boys battled their corner well. I don't think we had any failures in any way. They all did exceptionally well and it was a well deserved win. It was hard today with the conditions, we were against the wind in the first half and we did well to cope with it. I think we are a far better team when we keep hold of the ball and we did that today. Both teams tried to play good football. Dunfermline played it from side to side, they switch it and they all look comfortable on the ball, even the boys at the back. I just thought they let themselves down for the first goal and it gave us a wee lift.

"I am just delighted with the win at home. I am just trying to protect our home record here and make this place a fortress."