Dunfermline Athletic

Jim Jefferies ahead of Final

Saturday, 17th May 2014

17/05/14: JJ - "It all rides on one game.

JIM JEFFERIES

Jim Jefferies feels that Sunday's play off final second leg will be a different kind of game and that could benefit both teams. He believes that the Central Park pitch helps none of the teams that play there and the tactic of reducing the width makes passing football tricky.

"Don't be kidded, it looked like it had grass on it but that was just camouflaging the bumps and ruts that were in it. Sometimes players will be tentative because they are wary of the surface. It forces them into mistakes that could cost them a big prize."

Both sides scored with long throws into the box although at Cowdenbeath's equaliser it was clear in pictures that Grainger had been held down by goalscorers Thomas O'Brien.

"The referee who was blowing up for everything that night in that sort of situation, elected not to do it that time."

JIM JEFFERIES

JJ promises a better football match on Sunday and warns that it will take a very good performance or a lot of bad luck to beat Dunfermline.

"That is what we are focused on. Going on to a pitch with a very good surface will make them play better as well. They have one or two very good players but the prize is big and games can be won on a decision or a break or a mistake.

"As long as my team go out there and play as well as they can then that will be the aim. Play to the tempo that we played against Stranraer and we will be a very difficult team to handle.

"Nobody is taking it as a foregone conclusion that we will win just because we got a draw away from home and we are favourites in some people's eyes."

COWDENBEATH PLAY OFF 140514 JJ & NM

The Manager recalled last season when Dunfermline went into the second leg of both play off matches behind on aggregate:-

"We were 3-1 down at Forfar, came back and went another goal down. We went into the Alloa game three goals down and only got one back. After Stranraer we came back a goal behind. This time we are a lot stronger and a better team."

Everybody at the Club is looking forward to the challenge. "This club has come a long way in a year, with Rangers being in the league our target was to get to these play offs and try and get up that way.

"There are never ever any guarantees. It all rides on one game. It is massive for Cowdenbeath as well because they would come out of that league. They have got plans for the future and being in that league will help. For us this would just be the icing on the cake after what we have come through and it would be a great reward for everybody to get back up there as quick as possible.

"We are not saying that it is done and dusted, we are looking forward to the challenge. It will be a very good league next year but first and foremost we need to try and finish off what has been a great year. A great year for being saved by the supporters and a repayment by taking them into the Championship.

"We will keep our fingers crossed that we can finish the business. All our targets have been met -  second place, play offs and Championship is next."

Jim Jefferies confirmed that all the players came through Wednesday night and are fit for Sunday.

COWDENBEATH PLAY OFF



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