Manager on Friday

11/02/11 JM:- "They are just looking forward to getting on with league business and a run of games that are bunched together."

Jim McIntyre is expecting a tough away game when the Pars make the short trip to Cowdenbeath on Saturday. Dunfermline have everyone fit except for long term injury Steven Bell and the derby has added spice since Cowdenbeath have signed ex Pars Stevie Crawford and Lee Makel.

"It has the makings of a really good game - you never get an easy game in this league and we expect it to be really difficult. Cowdenbeath will try and take the game to us; there is no way that they will sit in. They went up to Ross County, one of the toughest places to go, and got a great result. They will take confidence from that so we have to make sure that we are at our best. If we are not at our best then we will struggle."

Despite the disappointment of the late defeat in Aberdeen last Sunday the Manager described his squad being in high spirits after what he felt was probably their best performance in some weeks.

"I have got to say that the mood about the camp has been superb. They are just looking forward to getting on with league business and a run of games that are bunched together."

Martin Hardie

Martin Hardie signed on Friday and the Manager admitted he was the type of player that he has been after for some time.

"I am delighted; I think he will do a great job here. He brings a wealth of experience; he has been there and done it. He has looked very good in training, he did well in a bounce game so he is a good addition to compliment and give us selection in the middle of the park.

"I have played against him and I know that he is a seasoned professional. He has been about the game a long time, that is why he is well thought of - everybody knows what he is good at. Make no mistake, he is a very good footballer. Sometimes people think he is just about the aggressive part of his game - they couldn't be further from the truth because he has also got very good ability. He is a great talker and leader. We feel that he is a really good signing."