Potts wishing for Sunday score to settle with Saints

John Potter is hoping that the U20s semi final will attract a Sunday lunchtime crowd on 24th March when his side take on St Mirren.

John Potter is hoping that the U20s semi final will attract a large Sunday lunchtime crowd on 24th March when his side take on St Mirren in the SFA Youth Cup:-

"We could have a great atmosphere; the boys have done really well and if they could go out and see a support there it would be great. There is a chance to get to a national final and hopefully we can repeat the recent result.

"St Mirren are a good team. When we played them through there they were possibly the best team that we have played against all season. They will be hurting at losing to us at East End and will want to come back and put us out of the cup. I am confident if we play the same way as we did against them on Thursday night we will do well."

For 18 and 19 year old boys the chance to make a Hampden final is a huge incentive and for John there is the added incentive of trying to get one over on his old club. The former Saints captain Potter was the St Mirren U17 coach before he left to join the Pars in the summer of 2011. The manner in which he left still angers him.

He met with manager Danny Lennon before the final game of the season, expecting to find a new contract offer on the table. Instead, he was informed that his time in Paisley was over and he was free to find a new club in the summer. He said at the time: "I thought I was staying at St Mirren and it was a bit of a shock. It was the manager and the club's choice to let me go.

"Disappointing, obviously, but in a few days you get over it and realise that you have to get on with your career. He (Lennon) told me that was it and I didn't stay for a conversation. On the Saturday I went out and played in the last game against St Johnstone, drew 0-0 and left. I had a good spell there and have some good friends at the club. It was reasonably successful and I enjoyed it."

Potts told his players before the match at snowy Motherwell on Monday night that the team has not yet been selected for Sunday:-

"Even though some of the more experienced ones are back, the young ones have done great and there are places to play for.

"I will watch St Mirren on Tuesday night but I worked with four or five of of them who will start and I know the way they play.  We have played them, and I have watched them recently so I think we know the way they are going to play. We need to concentrate on our own team and if we play the same way as we did on Monday night we will be okay.  We have a strong team and now we have a strong squad which is great for me."

SFA Youth Cup Semi Final
Dunfermline v St Mirren, East End Park
Sunday 24th March, kick off 1.00pm, Admission £2