Manager on Friday

19/04/13: JJ - "It is a big one and a big one for the fans.

Stephen Husband and Callum Morris return to the Pars squad for the crucial match against Cowdenbeath. It's a match whose result could be a large factor in determining the Club's survival and Jim Jefferies has underlined the importance of a large vocal support getting behind his team:-

"What ever happens with the takeover and however they move forward, there will be these young laddies to build on. It is a big one and a big one for the fans. They can come out and create a big atmosphere that I know can lift the opposition as well, but we will have more fans than them. It will encourage our young boys like a twelfth man."

The gaffer is hoping for the spirit shown last Saturday to defeat Morton will re- emerge at East End Park when Cowdenbeath are the visitors in the penultimate home game of the season. Cowdenbeath will be keen to take away the three points that would virtually condemn the Pars to play offs. Speaking exclusively to the website on Friday the Manager said:-

"We need to go and try and win the game. If they go about their job in the same way as they did last week we will be more than happy.

"Last week they made very few mistakes, that helped because the week before they did make mistakes. Hopefully they can learn from that, and build on what we got last week. Cowdenbeath must have come off the pitch last week thinking 'well that could be a six point gap 'that would have made it very difficult for us, so this is a very big game for them as well.

"It should be a cracker and if the weather holds then a big crowd might turn out to help the cause. If we can get a result it will put us in the driving seat again. We have a greater goal difference and it would be up to the two clubs who could get the more points out of the two remaining games.

"First and foremost it would be very difficult if we had to win the two games and hope that Cowdenbeath didn't pick up another point. It would be a big win for us tomorrow and we are in the same boat as we have been for the last three games relying on young boys. You just keep your fingers crossed that they learn. They did last week and hopefully they can do it again this week."

Jefferies new team thumped Cowdenbeath on the opening day of the season in a game that they deserved to win after showing greater finishing qualities. The next at East End Park was a comfortable 3-0 win where it was a case of back to the wall. In February it was a much changed Cowdenbeath team that faced the Pars and despite trailing by 2-1 going into the last quarter if an hour, the Blue Brazil went on to win their first home league match over the nearest neighbours since 1977, The Manager remembered that well:-

"They had just come off a great result over Falkirk on the Saturday. Even when we were winning 2-1, I thought we were a bit fortunate to be up. You are thinking then that you have got away with a result but they hit back at us right away. Everything they hit on target they seemed to score with that night.

"I was disappointed with some of the goals we lost but we had no complaints because we didn't deserve anything from our performance. Maybe that was at the time when not much was going our way. A lot of the spirit and heart had been knocked out of the players but that will not be the case on Saturday.

"The boys have got plenty about them now that they know what the score is at the Club and they are doing their bit to get out of the situation."

Reminded that his side is seeking its first home win since 2nd January, the Manager acknowledged that after winning against the odds at Greenock it would be nice to follow that up with back to back victories.

"Remember it is only three games that these young kids have had. They played well at Livingston after the week that they had had and gave everybody a lift. They made mistakes against Hamilton but they weren't outplayed by them. They gave as good as they got on the day but made mistakes where they were punished for them.

"On Saturday those young players showed that they have a bright future at the Club. They are all pulling together and it was noticeable last week that out of the four players we had missing they were the ones who were playing regularly - Ryan Wallace, Andy Geggan, Stephen Husband and Callum Morris who was a last minute call off.

"There is no doubt about it - last Saturday was our best result of the season. Every game we play is hard because of the youthfulness of our team. You might think Dunfermline v Cowdenbeath might have an obvious outcome, but with the players we have let go it is no stick on. We earned it last week and we will try and earn it tomorrow."