Success for Substitute

"It might turn out to be a good point at the end of the season but it doesn't feel like that just now.

Up until Saturday Michael Moffat had started 22 of Dunfermline's 27 matches this season, missing just one game for the birth of his son in December, but for the fourth time he found himself on the bench as John Potter went with Allan Smith upfront alongside new signing Andy Barrowman. After replacing Andy Stirling, the 30 year striker is delighted to have scored his first goal since mid September. Even then he was disappointed not to have scored two!

"I should maybe have done better with that last minute chance, it hit me on the shoulder. I just misjudged it and with it being the last touch of the ball it would have been nice had it gone in. We just need to move on to next week and get the three points there."

Now having come off the bench to score an equaliser within five minutes, Michael still doesn't want to become known as a super sub. The substitutions certainly got Dunfermline going and he knows that is what they are intended for:-

"You want to change the game and I thought Ryan did that as well when he came on. It was just to try something different up front and we did go with three up. A wee change in tactics put them under pressure. You don't want that tag, you want to start games but it is nice to get the goal. Hopefully I can go on a wee run now with some goals, some wins and climb the table."

With twenty minutes of Saturday's match remaining Michael joined Andy Barrowman and Ryan Wallace in a three pronged attack force that appeared to suit:-

"Ryan was playing just in behind us and we obviously need to go for it. We had to push on and put Airdrie under a bit of pressure. The manager has plenty options in the forward positions so whoever he picks will need to be on their game.

"It was a point but being a home game, it is two points dropped. You want to win all your games, especially at home. Maybe in the circumstances on Saturday it might turn out to be a good point at the end of the season but it doesn't feel like that just now. That is four or five games without a win so we need to get one soon. If we get one I am sure that we will string a few together. Our confidence will grow with every win.. It doesn't matter how we do it, even a horrible 1-0 win, anything just to get us going."

Of course Michael would want to start the next game at Cappielow but he is aware of different options being open to the manager, he continued:-

"We have a big squad now and brought in two or three boys as well. There is plenty of competition for places and if you are not doing it you will not be in the team. That can only be good for the boys to have competition in all positions. We all want the same thing so whoever the manager picks, you need to be on your toes or you might not be playing the next week if you are not doing it."

One of John Potter's most recent signings re-unites Michael with a player he played with previously at Ayr United, Kyle McAusland. Moff praised the new man's debut match:-

"He did well, he can play in a few positions and he had a good debut. The manager was pleased with him, he is a big fit boy who will get up and down the park all day. He gives you a bit of dig and steel in the middle of the park. I am sure that he will do well."

Related Stories

• Dunfermline 2 Airdrieonians 2
• Manager Post Airdrieonians
• Fans crucial part
• Player of the Year 2014/2015