Manager on Thursday
Thursday, 18th Feb 201618/03/16: "We have got to make sure that we are fully focused to get the three points."
Allan Johnston reflected on what he termed a "massive" result against Ayr United last Saturday. Commenting on the 3-2 win the manager said:-
"I didn't have time to think about how I felt at 2-0 down. It was that five minute period when there were goals flying in everywhere from both teams and then a man getting sent off.
"We did start the game well that is why it was so frustrating to lose a goal from a corner and then making a blunder for the penalty. That happens sometimes but the boys responded really well. I cannot really ask for much more.
"When you look at our big players in big games, I think they produced again and that speaks volumes for the players. It was a six pointer and a great comeback. It shows you the quality of the boys that we have got, the belief that they have got but it means nothing if we don't win this weekend.
"Playing against the bottom team who will be fighting for their lives will be a very difficult games since they will be scrapping for points. We have got to make sure that we are fully focused to get the three points."
To continue taking points is vitally important to AJ since he believes Peterhead and Ayr United are not to be counted out yet.
"The two of them will be up there challenging at the end of the season. They are both good teams; Peterhead are on an incredible run of form, scoring a lot of goals. In every game between now and the end of the season, we have just got to make sure we win. It is like a cup final and I am sure that the fans will spur us on anyway. The have turned out in their numbers again and even when we went a goal behind and two goals behind they were still with the players, encouraging them and helped them back in the game.
"Brechin are getting a lot draws and scoring goals as well but they are fighting for their lives. They have majorly improved, I saw them a couple of weeks ago against Stenny when they should have won the game. They were a wee bit unfortunate but we have players who can hurt the majority of teams. It will be an interesting game."
Lewis Spence who is on loan to Brechin City is barred from playing for his parent club and the Pars boss feels that he will be a major loss for them. The manager is pleased with the way his loan spell is working out:-
"Last week against Cowdenbeath he had a great pass for the goal. It is good to see him playing regular football and I think it will do him the world of good when he comes back to us at the end of the season.
"He needs to play because it has been frustrating this year for him not being able to get in the team. The team is winning and the boys who have been playing in front of him have been doing really well. He is still a young lad and he needs to be playing week in week out and I think this experience will do him a world of good."
Lewis Martin picked up a strain in training on Thursday that may mean he is rested until Monday afternoon when Dunfermline play Falkirk in the Development League.
"He is just coming back and has maybe just done a bit too much. He felt it right at the very end of training. It is a wee bit frustrating but it is nothing serious, so he will be fine."
Ryan Williamson is doing really well according to the manager who intends to give the 19 year old some game time shortly. The gaffer said:-
"He is getting more and more confident as the weeks are going on. His sharpness is improving. He is still a long long way away to get in the first team but he is progressing well."
Fellow leg break injured Callum Fordyce has had another (planned) operation and will start rehab just as soon as possible.
Asked if he was still intending to sign a striker all Allan would say was:-
"It will be nice to bring somebody else in but we will wait and see. The good thing from our point of view is that when you look at the 20s young PJ (Crossan) is doing really well. That is three goals in three games and he is improving every week. I can see him featuring at some point if he keeps progressing the way he is between now and the end of the season."
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