Manager Post Stenhousemuir
Saturday, 14th Feb 201514/02/15: JP - "It took a fantastic strike to get us back in the game".
- - Listen to this John Potter Interview
"It was a good match for the neutrals to watch I imagine but our first half wasn't good enough. We lost sloppy goals and we weren't quick enough in possession. We gave them freedom to get their goals but I don't know why.
"Stenhousemuir set up the way we thought they would, so there were no surprises. We just didn't compete so we had to change a few things around. There were a few choice words at half time and we were a completely different team in the second half.
"We still looked vulnerable at the back but we just asked our team to go forward and score goals. We took chances at the back and it paid off in the end. I am delighted because they showed that we are big and strong. Fitness wise we were great and kept going until the end of the game. They were lying down and that is the time when it matters for us."
There was character demonstrated in coming back from two goals down. The gaffer described this as "massive".
"Especially at home where we have not been doing well recently. It does show massive character for me. They never stopped, they kept believing and maybe a couple of months ago that wouldn't have happened. Even at 2-1 down and you miss a penalty, that belief goes again. We never showed it and it took a fantastic strike to get us back in the game.
"That was our full back getting a cross in the last minute and our other full back heading it back across. Andy scored the winner so I am delighted."
Barrowman's goal in the second minute of time added on at the end of the first half gave Dunfermline a bit of a lifeline.
"The first half had been flat and that's not really how I want us to play. It gave us belief and we knew that the goal would hurt them a wee bit. It was important that we started the second half in the right manner. We did that and we went from strength to strength."
There was a set back when Michael Moffat's 69th minute penalty was saved by keeper Greg Fleming. The gaffer was disappointed and felt that there was a flat spell before the second goal went in.
"It took that second goal to go again. Kyle McAusland was fantastic, he was the catalyst who got us going. He was switching the ball from side to side, the full backs were getting forward and that's the way I want us to play.
"It does mean taking a chance at the back where we can tighten up a bit but it is about trying to score goals and we did that today."
The first half head knock to Gregor Buchanan meant an early use of a substitute.
"He was a bit dizzy and had a black eye so he could not see right. It was a precaution to bring on Stuart Urquhart who I thought was great when he came on. He added a wee bit extra and he has been doing really well for the under twenties recently."
To keep the winning run going after the success at Ayr two weeks ago was crucial especially with the games that Dunfermline have in the next fortnight.
"We have to play four games against all the top teams so it was important to win today. We needed to kick on and we have done that; it shows character and desire from the team."
As the game went into added time Stenhousemuir could have clinched a winner but not for the first time against Stenhousemuir, a goal deep into added time handed the Pars a win:-
"They got a free kick towards the end and Ryan Scully had a fantastic save at 2-2. We kept going and late winners can be important. We are a fit strong team and if you can keep going to the 94th minute we might get a chance and we got that today. There was a bit of time wasting from them, it has been added and I am just delighted that we got the goal.
"The games against Forfar and Stranraer with two Brechin games in between will be a busy period. We have a good squad and we have changed it about a bit; Paul George got 45 minutes and David Hopkirk was maybe not at his best for 45 minutes until we decided to change it around.
"We have players now who can come in and change games. That could be a big point in the remaining games in the season."
- - Listen to thoughts of Stenhousemuir manager, Brown Ferguson
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