Paton seeking an ace

The 26 year old summer signing wants on the goal sheet

Michael Paton feels that his new club has performed well given the busy match schedule that the month of August deals League One clubs. Success was only blemished by a 2-1 defeat at Peterhead:-

"That was four games in ten days that showed you how fit the boys really are. I thought a draw at Peterhead would have been a fair result for us but we didn't start with as high a tempo as we had in previous games. I don't want to make excuses, it is done now and it was 2-1.

"We moved on from that picked ourselves up. We got results and played better in the games after that. That is the most important thing."

The win over Dundee in the League Cup pleased Michael because of the manner and style they did it.

"We had three games before that within a week and going into a game against a Premier League team is high intensity. It is harder to get the ball back and you are working harder because it is a higher quality team you are up against. We did ourselves proud, not only with the score but how they performed."

When Dunfermline played Stranraer last Saturday both teams looked as though they were struggling after their exertions in the League Cup.

"We tried to start high tempo but it was a heavy legged sort of game. We still performed and we got the three points. It is always good to score early on in the game because that puts you on the front foot. You can then build from that and I know the way Faiss plays - he likes to get in between defenders - and fortunately when I got the ball on the half way line, knowing that he likes to make his runs, I just put the ball into the box and he did the rest.

"Me and Faiss have been really working well. Seven or eight goals have come from a cross into the box. He is finding the areas and he has the quality to finish as well."

The shape of the winning team was disturbed when Ryan Williamson broke his leg at Forfar in the Petrofac Training Cup. That space was filled by Lewis Martin with Jason Talbot coming in at left back. Michael continued:-

"Me and Ryan had a really good partnership down the right. We had a good understanding that when he went forward I was there to cover and he also had the option of me going wide and then I could put the ball in the box.

"Lewis has been brilliant from the very first game and when the manager asked him come over and play on the right side. At Peterhead he got forward to put the cross in for Faiss' goal and I think he realises now that he has the licence to go forward and he has the cover there. He is a really good defender, he passes the ball well and I think in the last two or three games we have shown that we have got a good squad - if one falls out, we have someone else to replace them who can do just as well."

Saturday takes the Pars to Station Park, Forfar just 17 days after the 3-0 Petrofac Training Cup win over the Loons and Michael says that he would bite your hand off for a similar result this time:-

"Three points is the most important thing, no matter if it's a 1-0, 2-1 - as long as we come back with three points. We know how tough they are, they are top of the league and they have got really experienced players. I know Derek Young - he is really experienced, big Chris Templeman and Gavin Swankie know how to find the net.

"They have a really good squad but we have been working hard and if we keep our tempo up and play the way that we can play I am sure that we will give them a good game and hopefully it is us who will come back with the three points."

Michael shared the request of a Paton goal as well as assists. Not having scored since March in the Queen of the South 4-1 win over Cowdenbeath, the 26 year old is keen to get off the mark for Athletic.

"I am hoping for that as well! Making a goal is just as good as scoring a goal but personally and selfishly I want a goal as well."

Both Jason Talbot and Andy Geggan scored against Stranraer having got themselves into Michael's position on the park. He hopes to grab a goal at Forfar on Saturday:-

"I need to get myself on the scoresheet because I think there is maybe only me and the keeper left to score!"

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