Paton can pull a few aces

The standards and style of the management team were the major factors that attracted Michael Paton

Michael Paton gave his first interview after signing for Dunfermline on Monday 29th June. He told this website that playing behind the strikers was his favoured position.

"I seem to nurture myself into these wide areas with certain managers. They seem to like me on the wings but that is where I play my football. I played a full season under Allan Johnston at Queen of the South and did really well. You would be better classifying me as just an "attacker".

"I am here to add goals to my game, hopefully a full season here playing the way Allan plays can add goals. My contract was up at Queen of the South and they did make me an offer. The season ended disappointingly with a couple of disagreements but as soon as Allan got this job he was on the phone straight away.

"When Sandy Clark came in as well I knew how they worked and you could see where the club wanted to go by bringing them in. They have previous of being in this league with Queen of the South and did really well plus a club as big as Dunfermline shouldn't really be in this league but they will be the two to take them up."

The standards and style of the management team were the major factors that attracted Paton to drop down a league.

"I know how encouraging they are, they are not scared to go out and attack. The main thing is, when boys try things and lose the ball they give more encouragement to get the ball and do the right things again. That is a massive part and they will create a good team spirit in that dressing room. They will get the club where it should be and I want to be a part of that."

Michael promises to bring energy and creativity to the team but he hopes to score a lot more goals than he has in previous seasons.

"I might be playing on the wing and only scoring a few goals but if I am setting them up that is just as good for me because the goals will get us up that league and hopefully win it and get into the Championship."

Having come in for two days last week Michael feels that the team can come together well.

"Sandy was a striker in his day so he will bring his side to it. Hopefully give tips to the strikers about movement. I am really looking forward to the start of the season."

The new signing has not played in a competitive game against Dunfermline but did play 23 minutes of a pre season friendly for Aberdeen a few seasons back. David Hopkirk played at Queen of the South with Michael and the new man claims that he has been most welcome:-

"There is a good team spirit there already. If the quality and fitness is there at the start of the season I am sure that we will hit the ground running. We will get a couple of pre season games before the start of the season. You can see the manager shaping up what his team is going to be; that is exciting to see because everybody ups their game and everybody is on it. We need to carry that right through the season.

"As long as we have the right attitude and we want to win we will."

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