Ozzie has Friday on his mind

"If you look at the league table just now, tonight is a massive, massive game."

Pars captain Austin McCann reckons that he will lead his team out at Pittodrie tonight into their biggest game of their SPL season so far:-

"Is it our biggest game because of the situation the two teams are in. We've not picked up as many points as we did at the start of the season, so it's getting to that important stage where we need to start picking up points and even wins. We're going to go up to Aberdeen with a game plan to get something out of the game."

With Dunfermline only taking one point from the last twelve contested it is becoming important for the Fifers to put an end to what threatens to be an extended barren patch. Austin continued:-

"The longer it goes the harder it becomes. It was important we got our first win under our belts, which was good for confidence. But we're looking to get back to winning ways and to get the confidence higher. Getting beat and losing a few goals can affect the confidence.

"The Manager is important, he tries to keep the team spirit high and he never over-analysed the game too much on Saturday. Training's been good, it's been lively, and we're looking forward to the game."

No doubt Jim McIntyre has reminded his troops of successful results on the road at Tannadice and McDiarmid Park.

"That shows you we can do it. We go and actually do give teams a game. We'll be confident, we don't want to just go up there and sit in and try and take a point, we've got good attacking players. We'll go up there and look to take something out of the game, and hopefully it's a win."

Hopefully it proves to be the right time to visit Pittodrie to face an Aberdeen side devoid of confidence:-

"Aberdeen are a big club with a history and so on, and it's been tough for them. The longer they go the harder it will become for them. They'll be desperate for a result as well. They've not had a good start but Hibs were in the same situation when they came to East End a couple of weeks ago, and they've go on a run. Aberdeen are well capable of going on a run, but hopefully it doesn't start on Friday night."

Dunfermline can take confidence from the way they have played against the Dons it recent Scottish Cup ties. Ozzie recalled how unlucky they had been in February this year:-

"We were unfortunate last season to concede a goal in the last minute and we went up the season before that and won on penalties. So, in the last couple of visits the performances have been good, but hopefully we can come back with something this time."

While in the First Division the Pars impressed when they came up against SPL opponents but now back in the upper tier they have to raise their game for every match and not just the occasional cup tie. The Pars 31 year old skipper is thoroughly enjoying the experience after a personal absence of over seven years:-

"It's good. We've had games live on the telly, we've played Rangers and big teams, we're going up to Pittodrie. No disrespect to the First Division but it's more glamorous in the SPL. But there's a big, big difference in the standard. Our games in the SPL have shown you get punished more for the mistakes you make.

"It's a learning curve. We've got some young boys in there that want to improve and get on, and the only way you can improve is by playing against the best. I've not quite got to the stage where the young boys come to me for advice but you pass on what you can.

"We've got a good bunch of boys. We take everything in, especially what the manager and Gerry are passing on, because they've got a lot of experience. The young boys are doing well and they'll get better."

Ozzie said the team didn't over-analyse last weekend but claimed they had to learn lessons:-

" We got punished for our mistakes and for not starting well, and the most disappointing thing is we never really gave Rangers a game. We never reacted to the goals we lost and I think that was the most disappointing thing.

"We need to quickly get it out the system, because we've got a big game against Aberdeen. It's important if we want to move up the league table."

Everyone knows that the side should not be judged against the Old Firm but concedes it does affects confidence:-

" The game was on telly and we obviously took a bit of a doing, so it affects your confidence that way. But it's games against the teams round about us - or we think are going to be around about us - that are the important ones. If you look at the league table just now, tonight is a massive, massive game."

Friday night football has not been well received by Pars fans and Austin is not looking forward to what might be an expensive option to not playing on a Saturday afternoon:-

"It's been weird this season. Obviously that's what happens when you go up to this division. We've had two lunch-time kick-offs in the last couple of weeks and a Monday night one at the start of the season.

"Now, it's Friday night, which I think will be a first for me. It will be weird but you've got to adapt and get on with it. I won't enjoy having a Saturday afternoon off because my missus is planning to take me shopping!

"It will be weird sitting on a Saturday afternoon with nothing else to do, watching the other results coming in. But if we can get a win at Pittodrie it would be a good start to the weekend."