On top of the world
Published 12 Oct 2012 11:30
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Pars gaffer Jim Jefferies has been rewarded for Dunfermline's march to the First Division summit with the September manager of the month award.
Impressive home wins over Raith and Livingston coupled with away victories at Dumbarton and Hamilton brought a maximum 12 points for the Pars.
After forging an exciting new side from the remnants of last year's squad and recruiting young, promising players from the lower divisions, this award means as much to the Dunfermline boss as any over his near 30 year managerial career.
Jefferies said, "Managers get these awards but you accept them on behalf of the club, the staff and players and the effort was fantastic last month.
"I said when I took over last year that if we did go down I would relish the challenge to try and come back up. We've gone down a path of bringing younger players in from the lower divisions to see if they can flourish in the First Division.
"We have been proven so far to be right and from the fans reaction they seem to be enjoying seeing a side who play football and work extremely hard, especially when they lose possession to try and get the ball back.
"For a new team we have players who have gelled very quickly. We have an excellent balance with some good experienced pros like Andy Dowie, Stephen Jordan, Andy Barrowman, Andy Kirk and Paul Gallacher."
Saturday's comeback against Falkirk proved the team has the steel to go with their skill and Jefferies knows they'll need every ounce of resilience now they are the team to be shot at at the top of the tree.
"We're just like Partick were a couple of weeks ago. We were trying to get at them and now they'll try to peg us back. Morton also have a chance of going top if results work out next time.
"Of course you like to be up there, every team does, but there is nothing handed out in September or October.
"It is a very tight league and I still think Falkirk have got a good enough squad that if they get a couple of back-to-back results they could get right back in it."
The proposed friendly against Rangers during this weekend's international break has fallen through, though the manager was hopeful it could happen in the future.
Jefferies added, "Ally (McCoist) has a few injuries and boys away on international duty and is struggling for a side so we have taken a rain check. If we can fit in the game in the future we'll do that."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 12 Oct 12
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