John Potter post Stranraer
Saturday, 20th Dec 2014John Potter was pleased with his team's efforts against Stranraer but knew they paid for not taking their opportunities.
- - Listen to this John Potter Interview
"It is difficult to take. I thought we played well in general; we created a lot of pressure, we were quick on the ball - quicker than we have been. We had loads of chances, we just didn't put the ball away. The hardest thing in football is putting the ball away.
"I think they went up the park only once in the second half and they scored. I am not here with a hard luck story, Stranraer came and did their job. They got the win they will be delighted. I am delighted with our performance but there just needs to be a bit more quality in front of goal and around about the goal."
The team displayed much more energy and there were clear signs that the players wanted to bring success to their new manager.
"They have been great the last two or three days in training, the warm up was good today and the atmosphere amongst them was good, even at half time.
"I thought we were good first half without being brilliant. You could see them tiring and there were late tackles flying in. I thought we started the second half very well but you have to put the ball in the net when you are on top.
"It has been the same old story for us quite a lot this year but I am happy with the intensity they played and how quick we got it and got forward. We just need that bit more quality in front of goal."
The goal that cost Potter a debut match win came about after Gregor Buchanan hard rather cheaply given away a corner:-
"I spoke to Gregor about it. Even when the ball came in, it was hitting about the six yard line. We had five or six like that and not put the ball in the back of the net. Ryan Scully was the one who was scraping about trying to clear it, obviously he didn't and it fell to Frank McKeown and he put it in the back of the net.
"The goal was really disappointing from our point of view because we have had the same opportunities three or four times every game and don't put it in the net. We need to be a wee bit more clinical and on our toes in the box - both ends defensively and on the front foot."
A positive from the match has to be the return of Ryan Wallace who nearly grabbed the equaliser in the 90th minute:-
"He was sharp when he came on. He was just on his way back but he has that bit of quality around about the goal. If we can get him back to full fitness he will score goals. That is why we put him on to give him a spell. He almost saved it with two or three attempts. He set up a pass as well. That is the one pleasing thing out of today.
"The performance was decent I thought but the result was disappointing. To get someone like Ryan Wallace back and a wee bit fitter for next week's game. Hopefully he can keep improving as he gets game time."
Six points behind Stranraer, Dunfermline did not have the kind of start that any new manager seeks. He paid tribute to Steven Aitken's team record:-
"They are on a great run, I think that is eighteen games but the point I made to our players is that there is no reason why we cannot do it. We can go on a run like that but we need to get started, and started quick. We have to start winning games and winning them soon."
Next up John Potter will give his squad players a run out against Hibs. The friendly will be played on Monday 22nd December with a 2.30pm kick off at Ainslie Park, home of Spartans FC.
- - Listen to the thoughts of the Stranraer manager Steven Aitken
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