Managers Post Motherwell

27/08/11: JM - "They are a good side and we are going to have days like this. We are learning what it takes at this level ...

MATCH PICTURES
Dunfermline Athletic manager Jim McIntyre felt that this was a game of two halves:-

"The first half we never turned up. We were too far off the game. Motherwell showed what a good side they are when you give them time and space on the ball, and they punished us. Obviously they got a bit lucky with the second goal but we just weren't at the races in the first half. It took us a while to get to grips with it and obviously losing goals dents confidence.

"The second half we did a lot better. I thought the substitutions gave us a bit more going forward and a wee bit more pace, and we found ourselves getting two goals back. You are hoping that you can get a wee sniff of getting something from the match but we got caught on the counter-attack and game over."

McIntyre couldn't explain why his side had such a poor first half and how it took until less than 30 minutes from the end for his team to finally kindle:-:

"It is all about starting games well and we didn't start the game well. They punished us for it. They are a good side and we are going to have days like this. We are learning what it takes at this level and we have done exceptionally well in the first four games but that doesn't mean to say that it is going to happen every week.

"We made an adjustment to the shape and that helped us as well in the second half. It added more pace into our attack and started to create a couple of chances. On balance of play Motherwell were the better team and deserved their victory.

"Our players have been magnificent and done great so far. It is important that we bounce back."

Help in doing that should be available from Craig Easton who is expected to complete his move to Dunfermline in the coming week. Macca commented:-

"We need another midfielder and Craig fits the bill. He has great energy to get up and down the park, he has got a goal in him as well so he will compliment the good players that we have. One performance doesn't make us a bad side, let's remember that was a very good Motherwell side who got to the cup final last year and nearly finished fourth in the league. We are not too despondent or got our heads down, we have started the season exceptionally well."

Motherwell manager, Stuart McCall started off replying to a flippant comment that his team might lead to him going prematurely grey should they let teams back into games like they did against Dunfermline:-

"My strawberry blond won't stay strawberry blond much longer if we play like that at 3-0 but I was delighted with the first-half performance. We have got players in the team, especially on a big pitch, that can stretch the game. We have good attacking players.

"I said at half-time 'don't be complacent, obviously Dunfermline are going to come out and have a good go at you'. We got the third goal and just got a bit sloppy, taking too many touches and dribbling in areas we should have been passing.

"We got a bit fortunate for the second goal but their first goal was a deflection too. Even at 3-1 we were okay but we were just a little bit sloppy in certain areas.

"We killed it off. There's no doubt we deserved to win the game but it should have been more comfortable than it was, but you have got to give credit to Dunfermline for getting themselves back in it."

McCall was naturally happy that his team had gone back to the top of the SPL as a consequence of taking three points:-

"When you are going into a two week break, every manager is the same, you don't want to dwell on a defeat or a poor performance. We came with the intention of taking three points; if we had gone away with a point it still would have been a decent result. I am pleased to score four away from home. Top of the league is nice for supporters and the players might get a little more bonus money, but it was just an important win for us because we have got Dunfermline squeezed in between the Old Firm games."

McCall praised debutant Tim Clancy, who deputised for Shaun Hutchinson at centre-back 24 hours after completing his move from Kilmarnock.

"I asked him yesterday if he was okay to go straight in because big Hutchie picked up a little hamstring injury right at the end against Clyde and we couldn't risk him. Tim played the first game for Kilmarnock and a bounce game and he had no doubts that he wanted to play and I thought he did excellent."

Match Report: Dunfermline 2 Motherwell 4
MATCH PICTURES