Manager on Friday

22/04/11: JM- "Both teams know exactly what's at stake here. A win would be a huge shot in the arm for your titl

Pitreavie was a happy training ground on Friday as the players were put through their paces ahead of the top of the table match against Raith Rovers on Saturday. Jim McIntyre made sure that his preparations were very much same as usual:-

"It's been a normal Friday - we have not done anything that we don't normally do. The boys are obviously really looking forward to the game, they are nice, bright and lively."

No need for Macca to impress upon his squad just how much is at stake and just how much is expected from those chosen to face John McGlynn's side:-

"The atmosphere, the occasion and the significance of the game takes care of itself. It's important that we play with our heads and we play the game and not the occasion."

The match against Raith comes on the back of a run of good results. Dunfermline have recorded three successive wins and are unbeaten in their last nine games.

"We had a particularly good win last Saturday and that scoreline has been a long time coming; with some of our play in the first half of the season we have absolutely dominated teams but not put our chances away."

The match at Stirling is one that springs to mind when Dunfermline drew 1-1 despite having a rake of chances:-

"There's been a lot of times where our final ball or our final effort at goal has let us down when we could have maybe got four or five goals. It has never quite happened so it was great to get that. The manner we got the win last Saturday was pleasing too; losing Rutkiewicz but playing exceptionally well from start to finish."

Raith will be formidable opponents; they have lost only two games away from home in this league campaign and conceded just ten goals on the road - the best record in the SFL.

"The incentive is there for both teams" insisted Macca, "both teams know exactly what's at stake here. A win would be a huge shot in the arm for your title aspirations; both managers and sets of players are well aware of that.

"Raith have had the upper hand in derbies this year but they are gone now; this is a different game altogether. It's a game that we know we can go and win if we play to our maximum. Equally we know we are capable of winning the game but equally we know that Raith are a good side and we have to be at our best to beat them.

"They have an excellent away record but we have an excellent home record as well so it has the makings of a great game."

That prospect has led to East End Park being sold out for this derby match and a crowd of 11,000 is expected.

"I made an appeal to the fans a couple of weeks ago and it was great to see the turnout for the game against Queen of the South. They were excellent against Queens; they really got behind us and we know that it is a two way street with fans but this game will look after itself. I certainly won't need to make any pleas this week; I know that they will be right behind us right from the start. It is so important that we have that backing.

"We have experienced players in our camp who have played in big games before; whether they have played in one as big as this but as a footballer these are the games that you want to play in. These are the games in which you want to be tested.

"We had 13 players training on Monday; some had a few knocks and a few carrying an injury over from the previous week. On Thursday we had 24, so that lets you see know how big this game is.

For his biggest game as a manager, Jim McIntyre has a full squad to choose from.

"I have a fantastic dilemna but which is what you want and that's why you have a squad. It is up to me to pick and utilise the players to win a game of football."

From the side that tanked Queens, Macca will be missing Kevin Rutkiewicz because of his sending off. It was not a decision that the Manager felt questionable:-

"By the letter of the law it was a red card and I can't defend it. He was unlucky that he didn't know where the player came from. He came on his blind side, that was the only sour note from last Saturday. Kevin has done exceptionally well since he came here but all the signings in the transfer window have done really well. Liam Buchanan has contributed with goals, Martin Hardie with overall play, goals and character - he has been a fantastic signing. Also Jake Hyde and Graham Bayne have not played a big part at all yet but they have helped out in games when needed - great credit to them because they playing for any money."

Probably like the fans on both sides, three o'clock Saturday cannot come around fast enough now for Jim McIntyre:-

"I just want the game on now. I am desperate to get on with the football and I am really really looking forward to the game."