Managers Post Stranraer

Link to audio of Allan Johnston and Brian Reid post match comments

After watching his team being hit by the blues in Stranraer, Allan Johnston felt that was down to the way Dunfermline defended in the second half. He told the media:-

"I thought in the first half we were the team in control but when we defend setpieces the way we defended them in the second half you are going to cause yourself a lot of problems.

"You cannot afford to lose two goals from corners; not picking up when everybody has a job to do, just do your job. The free kick was far too easy as well.

"I am really disappointed but boys have got to get a chance to see if they are going to be worth a contract next year and see if they are ready to step up to the Championship. That certainly won't have done a lot of people a lot of favours."

Only five players who started against Brechin City three Saturdays ago on the day the title was won, started against Stranraer. The manager agreed that changes had made a significant impact on the team's performance:-

"They are the boys we have relied on week in week out; guys like Joe Cardle, Michael Paton, Ben Richards-Everton, Sean Murdoch, Faiss just to name a few. They have been massive players for us this year. We are trying our best to get them on longer contracts. That is on going but while we are doing that we need to assess the other players who have maybe not played this year, whether they are going to be good enough to step up to the Championship."

Did the manager find it frustrating to watch a performance such as the 4-1 defeat to Stranraer?

"It is, especially when you have supporters who have made a long journey as well. It must be a frustrating game for them to watch as well but we need to have a look at these boys to make sure that they are ready. They have got to improve a lot because that was not good enough especially in the second half.

"I don't think you could take many positives from today. Physically we looked like we got bullied a bit there, we looked like wee boys at times. There was some good play in the first half but we definitely need to withstand the physical part of the game as well. It is maybe something that some of them with learn hopefully."

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