Jim Jefferies on Thursday
Friday, 13th Dec 201312/12/13: JJ - "All we can take from it is that we had to go down there in a tough cup tie and we handled it well.
For the last year Jim Jefferies has probably talked as much about off the field activity as he has about what happens on it and this week he started off commenting on the funds that are still flowing in from local can and bucket collections:-
"The fans have been terrific and some of the things that have been going on is incredible.
"I'm glad the players played their part in helping last week because it was a big, big cup tie after the draw was made and hopefully they will get the right day to get it on to get the right crowd, and maybe throw in a bit of TV, and it would be a big help to us.
"I think it helps a lot more with forward planning and at the end of the day it's going to eat in big time to the loss. It would make it fantastic if we could get into the play-offs and get promotion that way. If we can't win the league there's still another avenue there.
"Let's be honest about it, when you go on a cup run it's about trying to bring some money into the coffers. Sometimes you have to balance it by saying if you get a club at home and think you could progress and get to the next stage for more money, but I think all the clubs that go in there if that doesn't happen then they are always hoping for the Old Firm.
"Although it's a tough tie and we gave a good account of ourselves at Ibrox, you just never know. Rangers will know that. It is a tall order, we know that, but if it doesn't go our way you'll probably make as much money there as getting through to the quarter-final stage. So it was massive for us, that's why I was concerned about the Ayr tie.
"I wasn't concerned about the opposition, I was concerned about the occasion. We've got a young team who knew how important it was to the Club and I've got to say they handled it brilliantly.
"Ayr were fortunate just to be 1-0 down but, having said that, over the last 10 minutes when they went gung ho to try and get it to extra time they looked dangerous.
"It should have been over before that and I don't think anybody could deny us it - Mark Roberts said himself that on the night Dunfermline deserved to win. But we go there on Saturday and it doesn't matter for anything.
"All we can take from it is that we had to go down there in a tough cup tie and we handled it well. Hopefully we can do the same on Saturday.
"The players know that they will be out for revenge. The fact we've played them three times and they haven't beaten us is always an incentive for them.
"It was a fair result in the first cup tie and it meant we came back here and both teams had an incentive to get through.
"We've put that on the back burner now and now we need to go down there in the league and try to get back to winning ways.
"We slipped up last week even though we scored in injury time, and it was another point so we're six points better off than them, but Stranraer are coming with a good run as well. There are no easy games and they've got a home game this weekend against Brechin so it's tight.
"As I've said, we'll settle for getting into the play-offs and the quicker we get the points in the bag the better. We didn't play well last Saturday and I think there was a reaction from the cup. I also think subconsciously they might have been looking forward to the Christmas party. It looked that way, so they were reminded about that at half-time and they came out and did something about it.
"Yes Forfar had chances but it wasn't through their excellent play, cutting us up it was through our mistakes. Long balls up the park that we didn't deal with and Swankie nearly cashed in on.
"We were saved by our goalie and just like in the Ayr United game, while it is 1-0 you are always going to get a chance or two, and we had a couple. Whittle hit Andy Geggan as he was running in and I thought that was the chance gone, but just in that last minute the ball fell for us and you still have to do that and Jordan More did that.
"On the second half performance and pressure, maybe not chances but on possession we deserved to get something out of the game."
Luke Johnston has been released from his loan period to Dunfermline and has now joined Montrose. JJ explained his thoughts on the 22 year old:-
"He fell out of the picture a wee bit and like any boy who comes on loan, I often have chats with them. I told him at the start of the season: 'We can't guarantee you a game, you have to come down here and earn it'. He got a wee spell into it and then he went off the boil a wee bit and lost his place."
The Manager had to receive clarification on the loan deal rules since they have been amended since Luke, Ryan Ferguson and Jordan Moore all arrived from Dundee United at the start of the season. Extending on loan contracts while on loan is trying to beat the system and wouldn't have been allowed:-
"Had they been signed until the end of the season they would have been OK but because they would have to re-sign a new contract, that's when the rule kicks in.
So we're only allowed one of the three players so I've got to make a decision."Jackie said Montrose could take Luke right away so it was an easy decision because he's better playing.
I had a wee chat with Fergie on Saturday about the situation, told him what the rule was and asked him to go away and if he was wanting to play regularly as well and have a wee think about it.
Jordan Moore and Luke Johnston
"The two boys might not want to stay, and I think Fergie misses playing regularly so if he gets an opportunity elsewhere he might take it. Jordan might be the same or they might want to stay and battle for a place.
"That's up to them and we're busy looking around if they don't to see what we can do to bring someone in. I've not decided that yet. If I do, I've got to make a decision what one.
"The two lads are good lads to work with, there are no problems there, and they understand that we can't guarantee them a game. If you don't, you've got to be fair to them because they go out on loan to try and get regular games - if they don't what's the point in coming to any club?
"They would be better off staying where they are in that case. But we'll sort that out in the next week or so."
Ryan Williamson was fed into the team last Saturday in the attempt to create experienced back up for full backs Alex Whittle and Ross Millen. Ross could deputise at left back and as planned he was left out against Forfar to give Ryan Williamson a run out. JJ's plan was to bring back Ross Millen for the game at Ayr this Saturday but there was news on Wednesday that the 19 year old has now developed a stress fracture.
"He must have been playing in the game against Ayr with it, so it says a lot for him because he had it checked before and they couldn't detect it. But it's now turned out to be a stress fracture, so either it wasn't or it was just about to happen and by playing he felt it really sore in training. So he's going to miss about three or four games. I'm glad Ryan got game time because he's the obvious replacement."
With one day's training yet to be negotiated, Ross Millen is the only player sidelined and Scott Mercer is back.
"It just shows you, he goes out on loan and spent most of the time on the bench so he didn't really see the point in going on loan. He probably got a bonus out of beating Motherwell out of it, but he's better here. He played the other night for the under 20s and tired a bit towards the end through lack of matches. If it hadn't been for the St Mirren goalie they would have won the game."
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