Jim Jefferies on Thursday

11/04/13: JJ - "This is a young team and we will be the least experienced team involved in any struggle.

Having seen his team's points tally slashed from 42 to 27 as a result of the Scottish Football League's penalty for the Club going into administration, Jim Jefferies is now focussed on avoiding the play offs. That would have been so much easier had his squad remained in place but the administrator's staffing cuts means that he is left with a young inexperienced side with which to escape the drop. Talking to the media on Thursday Jim gave his thoughts:-

"There is no problem with the lack of effort, we just need to learn quickly from the mistakes that they have been making. Saturday was an example - it was two set plays and one continuation of a set play that caused the goals. For by that they are trying everything that they can; they are giving a lot of effort but to win games you have to work harder when you lose goals. You can't switch off and allow people more determined than you to get on the end of things.

"I have heard someone at the Club saying that it is just a case of doing it on the pitch but they forget that the likes of Jordan McMillan and Stephen Jordan are away now. This is a young team and we will be the least experienced team involved in any struggle. If it goes into play offs we will be playing more experienced teams who have been together longer. To avoid that we have to hope that we can get a couple of wins and hope that other things go our way."

The Manager was delighted with the show of support in the hour of need last Saturday:-

"Who would have thought against Hamilton who did not bring many travelling fans, that the turn out could be like that. That will help the Club get through this difficult period. We are in administration now and we have to work away to try and keep the Club in the league by whatever means."

The remaining games are away to Morton and Partick Thistle and at home to Cowdenbeath and Airdrie United. Thistle's win over Morton on Wednesday night makes them strong favourites for the title and if Partick win their game in hand at home tor Raith Rovers the following Tuesday, it is possible that the Glasgow side could be promoted before the Pars turn up to play the Jags on 27th April. Jefferies is at a loss to know how Allan Moore's side will react when Dunfermline travel to Cappielow on Saturday:-

"They might think that they have had their chance. Nobody can catch them in second, it is just a two horse race but I suppose they will want to battle away. I heard Allan says this morning that they would not give in."

The Pars gaffer attended the Cowdenbeath v Livingston on Tuesday night but was driving across the Forth Road Bridge on the way home when he heard about the late late equaliser from Colin Cameron's men. The point puts the Blue Brazil three points ahead of the Pars and Jefferies fears that might be crucial:-

"We have the better goal difference but you cannot take it as a foregone conclusion that we will beat Cowdenbeath because we are going in there with a brand new young team. There is a learning curve for them in this tough situation."

Injuries and the suspension of Stephen Husband could mean that this week the Jefferies Babes could have an even lower average age. Josh Falkingham retired at training on Thursday with a slight thigh knock, a dead leg. He is not definitely out but certainly a concern, one that is all the greater because Andy Geggan is another doubt and Ryan wallace is still out.

Because many of those Babes would be eligible and want to play in the Scottish Youth Cup final that is scheduled for Thursday 2nd May, the Manager confirmed that there has been favourable discussions with Celtic over the possibility of moving the fixture forward by 24 hours. Some would be needed for the first team in what now becomes a very important match against Airdrie on the Saturday and it would be grossly unfair if those young players had played, and maybe even gone to extra time less than 48 hours before.

"We would be happy with the Wednesday, it gives me an extra day" said the boss who added, given that the Saturday could be very important, "I would have to seriously think about fielding fifteen and sixteen year olds if it wasn't changed. I wouldn't make a decision at this time but it depends what our situation is at the time. If it becomes a massive game of course I would, but that would deny the boys who have got them there and it would be a tall order for young lads to go in against a very good powerful Celtic team. It would be a mismatch really. It comes down to common sense. Surely someone can see the logic in it, we are asking for another 24 hours just to be in line with what happens after European ties."