Caretakers getting ready for Caley

09/11/21: SW - it hurts more to lose as a boss

Having heard nothing to the contrary, the caretaker management team of Greg Shields and Steven Whittaker are gearing up the Dunfermline team for Saturday’s trip to Inverness. Steven told the media on Tuesday:-

“We are preparing at the minute as though we are. There’s not been any change to that that I’ve heard. We had a good session today. The boys will have their day off on Wednesday and we’ll train Thursday and Friday. We’ll try to prepare the team the best we can to try to win in Inverness.”

Above: 08/05/21 - Steven Whittaker in his final match v Raith Rovers

Steven made 24 appearances for Dunfermline before retiring at the end of last season. He was only on the losing side four times and lost two penalty shoot outs but he claims that after Morton’s 3-1 win last Saturday, it hurts more to lose a match as a boss:-

“Knowing the work that went into the week and the effort the players put in, it just goes to show that you can plan and prepare as much as you want but sometimes it comes down to the finest details. We are aware of that. Sometimes you do not always get what you deserve out of games from your performances.”

In his coaching role Steven Whittaker revealed that he finds himself putting himself into situations that certain players do differently, and tries to read things from their point of view:-

“You can’t lose that. You’re constantly trying to think of how the players are seeing things. You use those experiences and try to help the situation. If you would have dealt with something slightly differently, you might help the individual in that scenario.”

Graham Dorrans was not fit for selection last weekend but found himself in the dugout, named as a coach. Steven explained how that seemed to be the best move in both the 34 year old, still recovering from an ankle injury sustained at Stark’s Park, and the team’s situation:-

“He’s a senior player in the squad and someone we wanted to lean on. We were able to get his views on the team and things that might be going right or wrong. He was at the point that he wasn’t quite ready.

“He’s trying to get up to speed, so we decided to use him in that manner and get him close to us on the bench. If he saw anything, we welcomed having another pair of eyes helping there. He’s still on the training ground, getting fitter and stronger, so hopefully he’ll be available come the weekend. We’ll see how the week goes.”

With over 400 appearances in senior football including for West Brom, Norwich City and Rangers, Dorrans experience is important to the interim management team. Steven said:-

“Speaking to Graham last week, there was a balance between throwing him in there when he wasn’t quite ready and him not doing himself justice.

“We want a fully-fit Graham Dorrans to choose from, but there’s no doubt if he’s in the team and he’s using his experience and organisation from the central are of that park it’s only going to help us. He’s working away and trying to make himself available for the weekend.”

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