Shock tactics for the Saints

Aug 19 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

IT was postmortem time yesterday at McDiarmid Park after a morale-sapping defeat from Dunfermline.

And manager Derek McInnes fixed-up a closed doors game with Ayr United last night to give keeper Alan Main and several first-team squad players a run out in advance of the weekend trip to face Partick Thistle.

Skipper Kevin James, who has set his sights on lifting the championship after last term proved a write-off, admitted sleep didn’t come easily in the wake of Saturday’s setback.

He said: “It was a horrendous weekend. The dressing room was as quiet as I can remember it after a game.

“The gaffer didn’t tear into us. He was probably too angry.

“The boys were dejected and we realise it was unacceptable, playing like that at home and getting a doing.

“It was a bad day at the office and one of the worst in a long, long time.

“Dunfermline bossed the game from the first to the last minute.

“It’s not as if we didn’t try or had no passion but they were the hungrier team from kick-off and we went from bad to worse.”

James spent last term recuperating on the sidelines and even his Florida sunshine break was devoted to rehab.

He acknowledged: “We were third in the league and 18 points off the top.

“We have been chasing teams from day one in the last three years. That can’t be allowed to happen.

“Given the quality of the players the manager has signed over the summer we have been labelled favourites.

“But football is won on the pitch and not on paper. Dunfermline played as a unit and got their just rewards.

“It’s Partick up next but it wouldn’t matter who we were playing. It’s all about getting back to winning ways.

“We won’t brush this result under the carpet.

“The gaffer has the latest video technology to go through the plusses and minuses from each game. We are aware of our shortcomings against Dunfermline.

There weren’t many positives.

“It could be regarded as a wake-up call or a blip, but only if we go on to rectify the mistakes made at the weekend. We’ll see with forthcoming results.”

McInnes confirmed he and assistant Tony Docherty had been quick to sift through the debris and admitted: “We didn’t deserve to take anything from the game.

Kevin James was fouled in the lead-up to their first but we shouldn’t be conceding that sort of goal.

“I felt we had to make changes to the system at half-time and maybe it was a bit harsh on Derek Holmes. The second goal killed us even with plenty time left.

“Too many seemed to accept it wasn’t our day.

Dunfermline’s midfield dictated the pattern of play and McInnes admitted they emerged deserved winners.

But he added: “It was a big game against one of our challengers at home, where we have a good record. They were the hungrier team. But I know we are better than that. It was a disappointing result but we have to keep it in context. We have as good a chance of winning the league as anyone.”

Midfielder Martin Hardie was ruled out with a virus and should resume training today. But Jody Morris, another key player, has suffered a setback and his comeback is on hold for another couple of weeks.

But last night’s bounce game could pave the way for Main’s return at Firhill.

McInnes said: “We couldn’t get a game fixed-up for Alan last week and he needed one before throwing him back in. And Euan McLean did fine at Cappielow. But obviously Alan can be a big player for us.”

Stuart McCaffrey and Steven Anderson were also given a game along with Peter MacDonald Collin Samuel and David Weatherston.

STEVEN Doris has returned on loan to Montrose and featured against Stenhousemuir in a 2-2 draw. The initial deal is for a month but it could be extended. He’s rated highly by Montrose manager Jim Weir. Kevin Moon could resume training next week.

ANDY Jackson is in Austria with the Republic of Ireland U21s while Euan McLean is with the Scotland squad to face Lithuania.