Success built on work ethic

Joe Cardle welcomes Morton, the final opponents in the first round of league matches.

As Morton prepare to come knocking on the door at East End Park in search of continued success, Joe Cardle has warned that Dunfermline's own good start is only the first hurdle in what will be a long hard season:-

"We are not even half way there yet but if we can continue the way we have in training and playing we have a chance to be up there. It's so far so good."

The fight back at Falkirk meant that Joe and the players could go into the international break content that they were top of the pile:-

"It was a nice feeling and that's where we want to stay throughout the season. As long as we keep pressing and keep scoring goals then we have a chance to stay up there." Shocked to hear that there were only three players left from the team that played Morton, Joe warmly recalled what he describes as one of the best days of his football career:-

"Thinking back to that day and Morton always brings good memories. I have scored a couple of goals against Morton so I am looking forward to the game. Hopefully we can produce again to stay top of the table.

"The boys who were here and never got a contract at the end of last season are going to be coming to East End Park with a point to prove. We will be ready for that ourselves, we have got to perform better than them on the day."

Joe ruled out any banter ahead of the match on social media with the three in the Morton squad who were Pars last season - Kevin Rutkiewicz, David Graham and Martin Hardie:- "This is real life now, they are not team mates any more."

Morton will be Dunfermline's final opponents in the first round of league fixtures. So far only Partick Thistle have got the better of them and Falkirk managed to take a point. Joe laid emphasis on the Pars own level of performance as the foundations of their success:-

"The team as a whole, right from back to front, has a work ethic that has been tremendous. If we can keep it that way we have a real good chance. That is the difference from last season - we had the quality in the team but not really that work ethic that the boys have put in this season.. We have been creating chances and getting goals from them.

"Even though there have been a couple of games where we haven't produced we are still working as a team. You saw that against Falkirk when it wasn't really happening for us but we worked hard throughout the game and got the draw. There will be days when the footballers just can't get on the ball but as long as we work hard as a team, I think we have got a chance."