Speaking pre-match, Dunfermline defender Aaron Comrie offered insights into the team’s thoughts ahead of their crucial encounter against Raith Rovers this Saturday. Following back to back defeats – a 3-0 setback at Partick Thistle and a 1-0 loss at home to Ayr United, the team is clearly determined to change their course.
“Training has been good, it has been positive. The group want to do well so training has been good but we know the performances over the last two league games haven’t been good enough. We are looking to put that right and everything starts on the training ground.”
Above: Aaron ended up with the captain’s armband v Ayr United
Adjustments for Raith
Reflecting on the below par start in the last match against Lee Bullen’s Ayr United side, the defender confessed, “Sometimes you have days like that, but the Partick game was a similar situation. We have been looking at it and we have made a couple of adjustments. Hopefully, we can take that into the game on Saturday. There’s no reason why you should be starting games like that. Saturday is probably the perfect game for us, we are going to have to be right at it or it will be a long afternoon.”
Viaplay Cup Meeting
The last encounter against Raith at Stark’s was in July and Aaron recalled, “We had to weather the early storm… We know we can expect the same sort of start from them and we will try and match or hopefully better it.” He further added, “There’s not much between the teams. They have a good squad of players as do we. We can take confidence from the two performances against them.”
Recognising the importance of fans, especially after rough games, Aaron said, “That comes from starting the game well and that’s what we are going to be looking to do. We will take a great crowd there and I’m sure that they are going to be right up for it, as will be we. Hopefully that will translate on to the football pitch.”
Pre-derby nerves
On the question of pre-game jitters and the dressing room atmosphere prior to derby matches, Aaron shared:-
“I wouldn’t say so to be honest. Every game you want to do well in, that’s me personally but I don’t know how other boys feel. For me whether it be Arbroath or Raith Rovers I try and approach the game in the same way every week. It is almost like that superstition where of course everyone wants to do well. You know that there’s a wee bit added to it but in terms of nerves and preparation it’s all the same for me.”
Highlighting his personal feelings about derbies, Aaron continued:-
“That’s what we play football for, the big crowds and there is nothing better than winning one of those games. Last season we did really well in the derby games against Falkirk. We know how good it can be but it’s a tough place to go. These are definitely the ones that you want to play in.”
The manager’s expectations
Last Saturday the manager asked for a performance is it the same mantra this Saturday?
“Yes 100 percent. Since the manager has come in he has never promised results but he has always said that he looks for a performance. Up until that Partick game the performances have been there in every single game. We just need to tidy up on a few things and start games better to give us a platform to play in these games. Saturday is the perfect opportunity.”
It would seem that the match promises not just action on the field, but also a story of a team eager to prove its mettle after recent setbacks.
