Manager on Friday

18/02/11: JM - "Ross County still have the nucleus of the team from last season and we know that they are a very good side on their day.

Jim McIntyre reckons games against Ross County are always entertaining:-

"Games between Dunfermline and Ross County are always very close. They have been good games and both sides like to pass the ball. Ross County have proved to be difficult opposition and the added spice of having a new manager, who is also an ex Dunfermline manager adds a wee bit to the game."

Another home game and one where maximum points is the main objective but after last season's success in reaching the Cup Final County are struggling in second bottom position:-

"Most people are surprised with the season County have had. Their inconsistency has hurt them a bit and they have chopped and changed their manager. That's their third manager this season which is very strange in itself. They still have the nucleus of the team from last season and we know that they are a very good side on their day. We will not be taking the game lightly. When a new manager comes in it always seems to raise the players. We will have to be at our best to get the result."

The reaction to a new manager is really quite inexplicable but Macca suggested it was players fearing for their futures:-

"Obviously boys who were out of the picture under the previous boss but everyone will be on a clean slate. In the position that they are in boys will be playing for contracts. It was a very strange decision to sack Willie McStay."

Reviewing the previous match Jim McIntyre admitted that the team knew that they were well off their game in the first half:-

"For all Falkirk's pressure they never really worked the goalkeeper that much. That's testament to how we defended and the saves that the goalkeeper did make were quite routine in the end. We were disappointed with the goal we lost but the reaction was excellent. Having viewed the game again we definitely had the best goalscoring opportunities and on another day you take them and go away with the points having not played at our best. We were delighted with the second half performance and well worth the point."

Andy Kirk's 85th minute goal also serves as a real carrot to keep the unbeaten home record going:-

"We know that tomorrow is the type of game that you are expected to win. If we turn up and expect to win it will not happen, we have got to earn the right - we have to win the battle and hopefully our better players on the day produce that bit of quality that gets you the three points.

"It is unusual playing a team back to back but we have the same the following month with Stirling - it is just the fixture chaos. The two games will be different and it is never ideal playing opposition twice in a row."

The Manager confirmed that 19 year old winger Paul Willis has gone out on loan to Ayr United:-

"Brian Reid has been asking about him for a wee while now and I just feel that we have enough cover now that we can allow him to go and get some games. We have the option of bringing him back - it is only for 28 days with the option of extending it. It is a good chance of him getting match experience. It is good for Paul's benefit; he has agreed a new two year contract. He will be here for the next two years so he is a big part of things for the future."

Following Tuesday the Manager has a full squad with the exception of Steven Bell and Andy Dowie. Andy hurt his medial ligament and after returning to training found it still niggling. Macca revealed that the former Ross County centre half will be out for the next ten days at least.