Dunfermline Athletic

Cardle up for the cup upset

Friday, 8th Jan 2016

"We are up for it, we are looking forward to it and hopefully it is an upset.

Joe Cardle was a Ross County player last season so he knows that Dunfermline have a tough obstacle to overcome if they want to progress in this season's Scottish Cup.

"We know that they are a good team but obviously we have played against SPL teams already this season and I thought we did pretty well against them.

"We won the game against Dundee comfortably and then in the Dundee United match if we had got another early on in the game I think we could have gone on and won it. Obviously it never happened on the night. When we have had the opportunities to play against higher ranked teams we have always done well."

Joe feels that he and his team mates thrive on such games and understand that there is nothing to fear:-

"We wanted a bigger team in the cup, we did not want to draw a lower league team. The boys want to prove themselves against these sorts of players, we are looking forward to something different for us on Saturday."

If the supporters turn out in the same sorts of numbers that they have been doing this season Joe is confident that they will create an atmosphere that will give them a lift.

"In the Dundee game I can remember well that the fans were behind us all night. It was fantastic and when we got the goals later on in the game they helped us a lot that night. Hopefully they can do it again."

Since Joe left Ross County personnel have changed quite a lot:-

"It is a completely different team although there are players who are still there. Most of the players I played with last season who are there are not really getting a game. Although they have a couple of injuries we know that there will be quality in the team."

Reflecting on his 25 appearances for the Staggies last season Joe felt that things started off well for him but became frustrated when he was restricted to appearances off the bench.

"I have never really done that in my career. Not even getting on the bench was very frustrating. Living in Inverness and taking your family away into another environment is part and parcel of football but when you are working away hard every day you are expecting to get a wee chance. It never fell for me and that's the way it goes sometimes.

"When you look at the difference from this season to last season, I know that I have come down the leagues but I am enjoying my football so much more. I am playing regularly, scoring and winning games. It means so much more when you are in a winning team and doing well."

Joe Cardle was already at Ross County when his former manager Jim McIntyre arrived. Joe commented:-

"When he first came in I was playing under him but he signed a lot of players in January and February and had his own team. He had made his mind up by that point that I wasn't in his future plans. I could understand what was going on so I just had to keep myself fit and look towards the next season. I had to get myself a club and get back to doing what I know that I can do."

Joe played under Macca at Dunfermline and he described a great relationship with his manager when at Dunfermline. Relationships change and Joe just says that is unfortunate.

"I always gave 100 per cent last season but things never came off. I gave my all for him but he had his own players and it never worked out."

That contrasts completely with winning the First Division championship under Jim McIntyre at Dunfermline in 2011, Joe continued:-

"The promotion season at Dunfermline was fantastic for everyone. It was probably my most enjoyable season and to win a championship medal was unbelievable, hopefully we can do that again this year."

The Pars player needs no further incentive when the tie kicks off to prove a point. He claims that he has been in that position before and the main aim is always to do well.

"It is a big game for everyone involved and hopefully we can create an upset but we have to start the game well. The first fifteen minutes are crucial because that sets a tone. The game can be won there.

"The changing room is full of confidence and if you are winning games and no matter what kind of team you are up against anything can happen. Six wins out of six is consistent and we have players to get at their players. We have a lot of quality in our changing room as well. Once we get opportunities we have boys who can put them away.

"We are up for it, we are looking forward to it and hopefully it is an upset. This is a big cup for everyone involved and we want to go as far as possible. It takes our minds off the league and a wee run in the cup would make our season even more special."



Views : 3,994

Related Stories


Archived website
This website served as the official Dunfermline Athletic website from season 2006-2007 until season 2022-2023.

Stories, match reports and interviews for these seasons can still be accessed here.

The current DAFC website with up to date information is on this link https://DAFC.co.uk
DAFC Archives
Dunfermline Athletic Heritage Trust. Information on past players, fixtures, league tables and archives can be found at www.daht.org.uk
ParsTV
For Season 2023/2024 SPFL regulations mean that on a Saturday afternoon we have to offer a Subscription service for overseas viewers. This will either be a monthly or a yearly subscription (on a Saturday it is FOR OVERSEAS viewers only - some dates are exempt.) https://ParsTV.co.uk
  • /files/pstwebsitead_0172.jpg
  • files/Newsletter_advert_9112.jpg
  • /files/youngpars_2016_9593.jpg
  • files/CB_Dunfermline_Programme_Ad_300px_v2_9109.jpg
Archives
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1991
1986
1979
1968
1965
1962
1961
1960
1957
1949

To top