Managers post Inverness CT

Link to audio of both managers post match comments

It was a delighted Stevie Crawford who told the media after the win over Inverness that his feelings were ‘tired’

“I don’t want to sound stupid here but there have been games where we have possibly performed and had more control in games. You do not get based on that when you are not winning games of football.

“It is important as a group that we have managed to get a win under our management now. We will take confidence and belief from that. There were spells in the game where I felt we passed it really well through the lines and we looked dangerous.

“After the Ross County game you could see Bruce Anderson with his movement, his cleverness. He is sharp and knows how to hurt teams with his runs, not necessarily just goalscoring opportunities but just to take defenders away. It has now brought an edge to our game.”

Joe Thomson scored the winning goal two minutes into the second half with a shot that seemed to surprise the Inverness Caley Thistle keeper, Mark Rodgers.

“There was a bit of movement, Mark will be a little disappointed because the ball did seem to move. Joe has had a strike at goal and you get your rewards if you hit the target.

“It was a long five to ten minutes towards the end of the game. They had brought on Nathan Austin, Jordan White is a bit of a handful and they went direct.

“You don’t like to have to make a decision to make a substitution where you bring on another centre half, it could be you are inviting on trouble but we felt that it was the right one to make at the time. Thankfully we have held on for the three points.”

The manager was pleased with the contribution of his other new signing, Ryan Blair who made his starting debut in the game:-

“I was lucky enough to work with Ryan when he was in at Falkirk as a young lad through the Academy. Ryan is comfortable, he has a good range of passing. He probably prefers to sit so he doesn’t have to do as much running but he naturally has a left foot for his set play delivery. It is good for him to get his first game under his belt and show the supporters what he is all about.”

Is it good that the win proves that the Stevie Crawford system works?

“When you look around the dressing room they are all shattered. Danny Devine threw his body in front of one at the end. I genuinely believe if you dont give it your lot sometimes that could go in off Danny and end up in the back of the net.

“I feel that the boys are buying into it. We had a couple of weeks there where we worked hard at it. It has been difficult because we have had injuries but every other team has got injuries. It is hard to push boys when you on the brink of weakening the squad.

“It is no coincidence today that with a couple back through the week, that people are looking over their shoulders saying ‘I want his jersey’. That is the competitive spirit that I want here. It is not going to be boys that are guaranteed games here at Dunfermline. I’m sure that will hold as well between now and the end of the season.”

Commenting on Louis Longridge’s return SC said:-

“It was probably unfair to Louis, he played 45 minutes against Ross County on Tuesday in the reserve game but he did that well, and he has looked that good in training you are turning round and saying ‘okay on you go’.

“He has been a miss because he is an infectious character. He is a good character to have about the place and he is bubbly. When things aren’t going well for you, he is probably the boy that you want to turn round to dig it out. He doesn’t fold so it is great for him. He can go take part and enjoy his weekend, we will just have to make sure that we don’t push him too much too early.”

Asked if newly arrived First team coach Callum Davidson was claiming the difference in recording the victory Stevie fired back:-

“Listen if Dunfermline are getting three points Callum can claim the victory if he wants.”

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