Manager on Thursday

17/01/13: JJ - We didn't want that result last Saturday but it can give you a warning that you have to go out there and earn results whether a team is at the bottom or top."

It may be tough at the top but it appears to be equally tough at the bottom. Jim Jefferies hopes that last Saturday's home defeat to ninth placed Airdrie United will remind his players that no team is going to lie down when a good battle is underway to avoid relegation. He felt that fellow title challengers could be feeling the same:-

"Morton and Partick are teams who might be saying the same thing. Partick has dropped points at Airdrie, Morton lost to Dumbarton and so did Partick on Saturday. Dumbarton have found a bit of form with Ian Murray taking over, so it just shows you how good a result we had the week before. We should have had them beat 3-0. There is no way that Dumbarton were better than us that day but they have had results that have given Airdrie and Cowdenbeath a kick up the backside because they are catching them.

"That has made teams at the foot of the table very competitive and we found out ourselves last week that they are not just going to lie back; they have a lot to play for as well."

Suspension caused Josh Falkingham to miss last Saturday's defeat and ahead of the match Ryan Wallace had missed training all week while receiving treatment for a knee injury. One or two were still shaking off a virus and at this time of year players have to adapt to conditions. Jefferies feels that winning the league is not just about starting the season well:-

"When the weather is better and the condition of the pitches are good, you may play good but you have to dig in at times."

Such will be the contrast to the opening day of the season when Dunfermline spoiled Cowdenbeath's return to the First Division by inflicting a hefty defeat.

"It was a tricky game because it was a Fife Derby but in the first half it didn't look like a game that we were going to win 4-0. We got a goal just before half time and we played well in the second half. As well as playing well, we were clinical and scored three good goals in the second half. It maybe flattered a little but on the basis of our second half performance we deserved to win."

When Cowdenbeath came to East End Park at the end of October Dunfermline won 3-0 and the Pars Manager felt his team dominated throughout:-

"We got them on the back foot, a comfortable result but hard fought. They will be smarting from two results against them where we have scored seven goals and will want to use that as a spur to try and make up for it. We didn't want that result last Saturday but it can give you a warning that you have to go out there and earn results whether a team is at the bottom or top."

Cowdenbeath will be without their player / manager Colin Cameron who is suspended and will not even be in the dugout. The Pars gaffer paid tribute to the player who he knows well from their days together at Hearts:-

"He was terrific for me at Hearts and he has that same competitiveness at management level. He still wants to play and its a credit to him. In the two games he has probably been their best player - he has had a battle in the middle of the park with wee Josh. They are both competitive and fiery characters and it has added a wee bit of spice to the games but that won't happen on Saturday if he is suspended."

The Manager said that his squad had a couple of doubts. Immediately after the Airdrie game it was feared that Andy Geggan might be out for up to eight weeks but following a scan, it was confirmed that it was just a strain to his groin and there is every chance that he could make the trip to Central Park. Ryan Wallace has a very slight tear but played through that last week and may well be fit for Saturday. Andy Barrowman had to come off in the Airdrie game with a hamstring injury but is responding to treatment and has a chance of making it.

The transfer window has not generated any phone calls enquiring about any of the Dunfermline players confirmed Jim Jefferies.

"You can't stop anybody if its a big move but the noises coming from the dressing room are that they are all happy here, they want to stay here and want to help Dunfermline have a successful season. They are still young enough to develop even more here and if they are good enough, their day will come."