Jim Jefferies ahead of Airdrie

15/11/13: JJ - "Again the game is on an astro pitch which should suit us with the type of football we play.

Jim Jefferies is aware that his side have lost twice this season to bottom of the league teams (Forfar and East Fife) but is also aware that in the game against Airdrieonians at East End Park his team won.

"That was a hard game and it was late drama with Geggs getting the winner but that was at the time that Jimmy Boyle was manager and he always made it difficult for us. Gary (Bollan) has gone in there and I don't think he was totally in charge of his first game at home against Forfar. I think he has only had two games against Rangers which I would think he would have to set up a lot differently to what he would normally do.

"This will be interesting to see how they play. I would imagine they will probably come out more on Saturday.  Again the game is on an astro pitch which should suit us with the type of football we play because we like to get it down and pass it.  We have got good ability in the team and good legs so it should suit us.

"If you keep giving easy goals away which has been our problem because the ball does come off the surface that bit quicker , especially if its been wet then that could liven it up a wee bit. Its something we have to deal with as there are a couple of clubs that have astro in this league. That's why, through Dunfermline High School we have managed to get a session on their pitch on Thursday which should help us with our contact with the ball and delivering and passing like it did this morning."

The Manager confirmed that his squad was in a better shape than last week. Andy Geggan had been given Monday off to get over his illness, but had been in since then and Jordan Moore's suspension had now been served but it is touch and go whether Ryan Thomson will make it. He will have a bigger selection choice than last week.  So would it be nice to score the first goal?

"I have been saying that, but I'm glad that now some of the players are now getting the message, with some of the comments that they are coming out with, because we have been telling them for long enough. It doesn't matter if we lose the first goal as long as we win, but it makes it easier if you don't lose the first goal.

"We always go out to do well, but if it takes an early goal to get us going then I'm not too worried, as it's the last goal going in that wins games most of the time. If we don't give teams an early goal, then the chances that we create, nine times out of ten we will win."

The Manager was asked if he had watched Ayr against Stranraer in midweek

"We had someone at the game that we knew and they will report to us, but Ross Millen was going to go if we finished training in time, but we finished a bit later due to the 20's game at Hamilton. I took the opportunity to watch Berwick and Montrose for nothing in particular. I had gone there to watch Elgin recently but never really paid a lot of attention to Berwick, so it was a chance to be completely neutral. The game was called off for floodlight failure.

"Clubs like ourselves have to rely on picking up players from lower divisions and we have already had a couple of lads in this week to train with us. Ross had been hoping to get home in time, but his dad had already left and it might have been a bit difficult coming back in the car for him to do a report, with his dad sitting there, especially as they got beat 6 - 3 ! Ayr play Brechin on Saturday so we have a wee chance of someone going up there to take in the match as we have Brechin next week and Ayr in the Cup the week after."

Asked about the players who were in this week to train:

"We had a couple who had been recommended to us and because we are full time, if clubs down there have part time players, who maybe don't have a job or it fits in with their work schedule it was an opportunity to see them in our environment along with our players. I'll probably have the lads watched on Saturday to see how they do in a game."

Would he be allowed to bring in experienced players once the restriction has been lifted?

"We would maybe look at 26/27 year olds who could give us two or three good years that could help the young players, but that won't be easy to get."

The Manager was still unsure of the situation regarding the loan players from Dundee Utd in relation to the new rules that have been laid down by the league, which kicked in after they had arrived here on loan.

JJ also confirmed that he had been asked to write a report to the SFA after his sending off at Elgin. One of his concerns as a result of that game, is that the Club will be deducted money for the number of bookings from the financial benefit of being in the next round of the cup.