Jim Jefferies on Thursday

Saturday's match against Airdrieonians cannot come quick enough for Pars manager, Jim Jefferies reflects:-

"You do not want to dwell on it, we have a game to get it out of our system. We were nothing like the team that had played in the last three games. Two players could get pass marks, the rest just weren't acceptable.

"They were told in no uncertain terms after the game and this morning as well that it just wasn't acceptable. We are here to win the league and I told them that I thought they should be points clear in this league. So there can be no more hiccups, not turning up like they did on Tuesday night, not having a desire and a will to win.

"One thing you cannot do is train all you like but once you cross that line, that desire has to come from within. It is something that nobody can give you. There needs to be a will to work hard and compete. They need to do that in every single game, not three games then one game off.

"They are playing for their futures and they need to understand the situation here. This club stayed full time for a couple of years more. They missed out last year and this year they have to get up or the club, might rightly, may have to go part time. They should be wanting to better themselves."

The players are a year older so the management team expects them to live with that expectation.

"They have to think about getting better contracts and better bonuses. We will be looking for a reaction on Saturday and get back to the performances that we showed against Ayr just a few days earlier.

"That is the galling thing, we played so well, played some great football, scored some cracking goals and worked our socks off.

"We are not good enough not to perform to our capabilities. I don't think there are many games where we have not played well and got a result. We need to be sure that we are up for it every week and be good enough when it is not our day we can still scratch out a win.

"The game where we weren't at our best last season was down at Stranraer. We ground out a result. Everybody knows that we have a good team and everybody knows that we are the favourites."

The team knocked out of the Scottish Cup showed only one change from the one that drew at Stranraer; Lewis Martin was out and Stuart Urquhart came in. The manager continued:-

"That was the only change; the midfield was the same, the front three were the same and three of the back four were the same. If it was good enough to go down there and compete to get another shot.

"Stranraer were lucky to have a replay. There were plenty noises about how hard done they were and noises about what they were going to do to Stranraer but it didn't happen.

For the away match against Airdrieonians Jim Jefferies will still be without Ryan Williamson and Gozie Ugwu. Lewis Martin he describes as still doubtful. Andy Geggan hopes to recover from a thigh knock. Jonathan Page has returned from his loan spell at East Fife and will probably be added to the squad. JJ stressed that he wants to get promoted so he wants to win every game.

"As long as the performance is good we will win more than we will lose. I can accept that sometimes you play really well but it is not your day. It was a massive game against Stranraer but they failed to turn up. If you want to be at Dunfermline and you want to get success you need to be able to deal with that. The longer they do not deal with it, the less chance they have of staying put here."

PARS FOUNDATION – CHRISTMAS CAMPS
Monday 22nd December & Tuesday 23rd December (9.00am -3.00pm)
Pitreavie Playing Fields: £20 per day or £35 for both days

These camps are suitable for both boys and girls of all abilities of primary school age. Each day will follow a specific football related theme planned and is delivered by SFA Licensed coaches which will allow each player to develop their technique through individual and group practices as well as small sided games.

If you would like to reserve your child a place or for further information please call 01383 745901 or email sales@theparsfoundation.org

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