Nothing Super at Starks for Joe
Monday, 22nd Aug 2016"We know where we went wrong and are obviously just gutted with the result."
It was a dejected Joe Cardle who spoke to the media after the 2-0 defeat to Raith Rovers. Hurting more because he wanted to do well as a former player returning to one of his former clubs. He said:-
"It is never nice to lose a derby and the heads are low after the performance. It is hard to talk. To lose a game is bad but to lose a game like this is really disappointing.
"I think we dominated the game in the first half but there were no real clear cut chances. At half time we said that the first goal was crucial and it proved to be."
Joe agreed that the Rovers had started both halves the better team and that the first goal scored would have a large say in the outcome of the match:-
"You expect that going away from home especially in the atmosphere. The home team should be on top of the game. Second half was exactly the same. They scored the first and they went on and got two. We know where we went wrong and are obviously just gutted with the result."
Raith keeper Aaron Lennox struggled with a hamstring injury throughout the game and Joe agreed that he was probably not tested fully enough.
"Especially first half we had a lot of possession. There were not enough shots and the final product could have been better. The keeper was injured and the one on the bench (Kevin Cuthbert) was injured as well. It was an opportunity for us and we are all disappointed."
Just as disappointing was the `welcome` from the home fans for a player who played approaching 50 matches for Raith but having signed for their close rivals, Joe was not surprised:-
"It is expected because I was here before. It doesn`t really bother me anyway. I have played at many stadiums where I get stick so it doesn`t really change my game at all. I was at Raith for a season anyway, they are entitled to their views. I am a Dunfermline player for two years and it doesn`t really bother me what people in the stands say.
"I get on with my game, I have a beautiful family to go back to that will keep the smile on my face."
The Championship start was good taking three points in the opening game against Dumbarton but the consecutive away defeats to Hibs and Raith Rovers are sore to take. Allan Johnston`s team has not lost back to back league matches except when after the league was won last season. Joe revealed that the experience is new and they have to get themselves together in its wake.
"We are a strong team and I am sure that when we see the video on Monday morning, we will pick up on the things that went wrong. It is a new game next weekend and we need to concentrate on that and look forward to that."
For a newly promoted club away matches against teams that finished in the Premiership play offs last season were always going to be tough tests. Joe dismissed that in the belief that they should have taken at least a point off Hibs in the previous fixture:-
"If we had taken our chances in the first half and got the first goal. Raith got the first goal and one goal can change a game. It did that on Saturday.
"We have got to remain positive. We have still got a young team in there, young boys, fit lads with a lot of quality as well so we just have to look to next week and push on."
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