Managers Post Airdrie

23/08/08:

Jim McIntyre felt that in comparison to the fine performance the previous week against St Johnstone, the team that failed to put a goal past Airdrie United just didn't have the cutting edge:-

"We didn't flow the same way today but I don't think the referee helped to be quite honest. Credit to the team though because they battled their backsides off for most of the remaining 35 minutes. They showed a great desire not to lose a goal and we still kept pressing and trying to score."

The sending off of Nick Phinn in 54 minutes made it hard for Dunfermline but the gaffer was more disappointed with the first half yellow card that meant the second reduced his team to just ten men.

"Nicky says there was contact and he is not a boy who tells lies. What I am more disappointed about is the first tackle. He has clearly won the ball but to compound him giving away a free kick in a dangerous area he has actually booked him. The referee said that he has come through the back of him yet I think everybody in the stadium saw that he clearly took the ball and never touched the guys leg. It was a great challenge from a midfielder tracking back. That was a sore one to lose."

In adversity and down to ten men Dunfermline had chances:-

"We weren't clinical enough today either, there were a couple of half chances and we have got to do better. We just seem to pick the wrong options, wrong pass at the wrong time. The final ball could have been better at times but I am proud of the way they battled away and showed a great desire not to lose the game."

The Manager handed Dunfermline debuts to both Simon Wiles and Steven Bell:-

"Simon has signed for a year; that will give us a bit more competition for places and that's exactly what we need. Steven Bell came on to make his first appearance so it is good to have him available. The two of them are short in match fitness but they are going to be big players for us this year and we need to get them involved."

Totally outplayed by Dunfermline was Airdrie Manager Kenny Black's summation of the match:-

"Only one team, in my opinion looked as though they were going to win the game. Even at ten men I thought we were really poor and it was our worst performance of the season. Our inability to pass the ball from A to B caused us problems even against ten men. I was really disappointed although I'd be happy coming to East End Park and getting a clean sheet and getting a point but I think that papers over the cracks and problems that we do have today with a lot of players who looked so out of touch.

"I gave them credit in the three league games that we have played so far we have done alright. Now in four games we have lost just one goal and we have not scored. We have to take a greater responsibility in the final third and try and create a little bit more. In terms of today I am disappointed with the whole performance.

"Dunfermline totally dominated the game and in all the battles all over the park, I thought they came out on top."

The Airdrie boss admitted that the referee Craig Charleston had done him some favours:-

"It looked a penalty from where I was; I think we were fortunate to get away with that but I will look at it again. The referee made a decision and I was delighted with that. That was the best performance we had, that was the referee's decision on that one!"