Dunfermline 1-1 St Mirren: Jefferies determined to eradicate Dunfermline’s ‘daft risks’

Manager Jim Jefferies will lay down the law to his Dunfermline players this week as he bids to keep the struggling Fifers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

In his first game as Pars boss against St Mirren at East End Park yesterday, he watched his side struggle in the first half before battling back from a goal down to grab what could turn out to be a crucial 1-1 draw.

Buddies striker Steven Thompson headed the visitors into the lead from a Gary Teale corner in the 38th minute, but a half-time pep talk from the former Hearts and Kilmarnock boss provided instant dividends for the home side.

Joe Cardle levelled within a minute of the re-start to take the Pars to within three points of second-bottom Hibernian, who lost 2-0 at home to Dundee United.

While pleased with his side’s effort and commitment, Jefferies will make his players aware of what it is he is looking for in terms of the basics in the final seven games.

“I’ve only had a couple of days with them, so there will be a few ground rules laid down, what to do, what not to do,” he said.

“Some defenders were trying to chip the ball into the middle of the pitch. We had a throw-in in front of me when our player tried to throw it to a team-mate who was under pressure.

“He gets robbed and suddenly, they break away and you have the thrower and the player who lost the ball out of the game. Sorry, when you are down there, in the predicament you are in, you play more of the percentages.

“I’m not saying play long balls, get it down and pass it, but don’t take so many daft risks. They have to learn that when you are down there you have to grind out a few results.

“But I tell you one thing, they have a lot of guts and determination. We will try and build on that and I’m sure our performances will improve.”

St Mirren, meanwhile, are still looking for their first SPL win since beating Rangers on Christmas Eve. Manager Danny Lennon is determined, however, not to settle for ninth place as he eyes the teams above his own in the table.

“We are certainly looking up the way,” he said. “There are four teams looking to finish in seventh and we want to be top of the bottom half. We want to finish the season as high up the table as we possibly can.

“It was very important that we didn’t lose the game. You have to give Dunfermline credit, they defended admirably and got a lot of bodies in between the ball and the line.”