Jim Jefferies on Thursday

26/04/12; JJ - "We created more chances on Saturday than we did in the previous three matches. That is a plus for us.

Jim Jefferies is ready for another cup final on Saturday but he knew when he took up the challenge at Dunfermline there would be eight crucial games. The gaffer was listening to the radio commentary the last time Aberdeen came to East End Park and couldn't believe the glorious chance to go 4-1 up when he saw it on television.

"Dunfermline could have lost the game. Hopefully it will not be like that on Saturday and if we do get into the same position again, we do enough to make sure that we don't let them back in the game.

"It is up to the players who I couldn't complain about last week. Apart from terrible mistakes that got punished - three of the goals were avoidable - but we played with a tempo and our movement was good. We had good determination to fight our way back from 3-1 and 4-2. I thought we could have won it in the end.

"Give me the same again on Saturday and just take that one step closer. Keep playing that same way and just eradicate the mistakes.

"The second goal was a silly goal through not clearing our lines; taking a chance on something that shouldn't have been done. One simple bad decision and the ball ends up in the back of the net. There are times when you should just put your foot through it.

"We created more chances on Saturday than we did in the previous three matches. That is a plus for us. I enjoyed watching the team play so well but just shuddered at some of the decisions that cost us a goal. That is the frustrating thing because if we had won that I would have had the team at the gates of East End Park waiting for it opening!"

Last week's goalscorer, Jordan McMillan will likely miss the Aberdeen match with a tear on his thigh. David Graham has not trained all week following a knock sustained at Paisley but he has a chance. Liam Buchanan had to leave the training pitch on Thursday with a back spasm but the Manager hopes that he will be fit by Saturday.

Jim was at Easter Road on Sunday to see Kilmarnock defeat eleventh placed Hibs but felt really disappointed that his team had not clinched the three points the previous afternoon:-

"Four draws are not going to be enough. We are six points behind and we need to start winning. Let's see then how Hibs react and handle the situation."

Alex Whittle's first interview