Managers Post Dundee

27/03/21: Link to audio of both managers’ post match comments

Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford felt frustrated after watching his side lose after going 2-0 up within the first six minutes of the match. He told the media post match:-

“We got off to a terrific start. We were front foot. Knowing that coming to Dens at some stage you are going to come against a spell in the game when it is not going your way.

“I was disappointed with the reaction to the first goal because there were a couple of chances to clear it. It was important that we went in at half time ahead in the game. But in the ten minutes after half time we seemed for some reason to go on to the back foot and allowed Dundee to get a number of balls into our box, a number of setplays.

“The thing that we have been good at all season was our Achilles heel tonight. We didn’t defend the setplays well enough.

“Dundee then 3-2 ahead and I think with the substitutions we looked creative again going forward. That is the frustrating thing. I think for a ten minute spell at the start of the second half can cost us.

“We knew coming into the game that Dundee would create chances. We have been strong all season in terms of our setplays and our defensive side of the game. Unfortunately tonight it has bitten us in the bum.”

You could be right back up there if you beat Raith Rovers on Tuesday night?

“It is a tough fixture, Raith Rovers away from home. We drew there 2-2 earlier in the season. Tonight the boys were front foot from the off. We looked as though we were going to create a number of chances. We scored a couple of really good goals but we have come away having not taken any points from the game which is disappointing.”

Is there a lack of confidence in the team?

“No I don’t think that, if you watch the game tonight I don’t think there was a lack of confidence. As I say, there were things that we didn’t do well in the game. It was great for Craig and Kevin to score goals.

“We have been guilty away from home that we have not been scoring regularly enough. It is the defensive side that has been strong and that is collectively. That is not aimed at the defenders or the goalkeeper, that is collectively I must make that clear.

“For some reason we wanted to collapse and try and protect the two centre backs which then meant our two centre mids came off Paul McGowan. He started getting on the ball for that ten minute period. They got a number of setplays from it. That is the bit that has hurt us tonight.”

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