Pat living with the pressure

"We want to get into a game, it doesn't matter who it is against. Every game is a must win from now on really; it is going to be a difficult task but we need to be up for it."

Pat Clarke returns to Falkirk on Saturday hoping to repeat the success in August when he was the all important goalscorer in a 1-0 win. Like last time he feels that he and his team mates will have no problem being up for a game like that and hopes that there is a large travelling support to get right behind them:-

"A 1-0 win to us will be just fine. Falkirk are a good side - one of the best in the league and we will just have to be up for it; on our toes and ready to go. Obviously it is a local derby and hopefully the fans will come out like they have done all season. For the big games especially they have come out in their numbers and supported us, so we will be more than up for it.

"There were 7000 there or not far off it, for the first game of the season. It did make a difference that day; the noise was incredible for a First Division match. There was more there than there were at some of the SPL games on opening day. That shows you that they are there for these games we love as players and I hope they do as well."

Both Dunfermline and Falkirk are chasing league leaders Raith and neither would like to contemplate the gap widening:-

"Raith have a wee lead now and it is not good to look at when you see it on paper" said Pat. "A wee gap has developed but we can't think negative, we have to think positive and remain focussed."

The 25 year old striker reflected on Tuesday night's 1-1 draw against Ross County:-

"It is a massively disappointing result. We came here wanting to win the game and although we came back from a goal down to get the equaliser, we never kicked on to get the second goal. It is two points lost really."

Pat had the chance near the end to grab the all important winner:-

"It is still in my head. The ball came up, Kirkie flicked it on and it bounced nivcely for me. I looked up and saw the goalie off his line and tried to lob him but unfortunately I have not connected the way I would have liked. It was disappointing.

"I got enough power on it but the accuracy wasn't there with putting too much on it. It is annoying, I am annoyed with myself but we need to get this result out of our systems and come Saturday, just start afresh again."

The atmosphere will again be lively with again the supporters and players anxious not to lose. Pat explained how it felt on the park on Tuesday and how that will not change for the next game:-

"There is pressure from the sidelines, that shouldn't affect our game really. It is what it is about really, living with the pressure. Players have played in front of 50 to 60,000 - that's a bit of pressure never mind a couple of thousand. It is something that we shouldn't even be thinking about, we should just be able to do our jobs. In recent weeks we haven't been doing that. Whether some boys are feeling the effect of the fans giving them a bit of stick, then they shouldn't be playing football if you cannot take a bit of stick from a few thousand fans."

Saturday provides an ideal game in which to bounce back from Tuesday night's disappointment and a win would be a massive boost to the Club. For Pat Saturday can't come soon enough:-

"We want to get into a game, it doesn't matter who it is against - we can't really afford to be picky at this time in the season. Every game is a must win from now on really; it is going to be a difficult task but we need to be up for it."