JJ in cash plea
Published 26 Oct 2012 11:00
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Gaffer Jim Jefferies hopes the Pars board can make cash available in the January transfer window to bolster his team's promotion push.
The manager was forced to reshuffle his pack last weekend when an injury to full back Stephen Jordan resulted in three changes to the team.
Skipper Jordan McMillan was switched to left back, Andy Geggan slotted in at right back and Ryan Thomson came off the bench to fill the hole in midfield.
With the Pars running a tight ship to cut costs the manager knows he has to be adaptable with the tools at his disposal.
Jefferies told Press Sport, "We've not really got cover at left back until the youth level and that's because you run a tight ship. If you fill every place then you end up with a large squad and that's not feasible for financial reasons.
"Sometimes we have to chop and change because of the size of the squad and that's why it's good to have a player who is adaptable to one or two other positions.
"There are one or two areas in the team that come January I'd like people to come in and give us another option. I'll be looking at that between now and them. If the directors say there's availability then we will look at it but if we can't, we can't.
"Most managers will try to improve and it depends where we are. If we're right in the hunt and want to push on then bringing a couple of new faces in at that time of year always gives everybody a lift and provides competition for a tough run-in.
"Right now I'm trying to buy a bit of time and stay clear of injuries as I do believe there are one or two good youngsters in the youth system here.
"There are young boys who I've integrated into training with the first team to see how they handle playing with senior players.
"We have a decent under-20s side who are getting help from experienced players like Craig Dargo and John Potter. I wouldn't have any hesitation in Shaun Byrne going into my team but it's about trying to get into a position in the correct game where can I rest somebody and play him."
Jefferies admits that Saturday's derby match with Cowdenbeath is not a game that he can throw untested youngsters into the melting pot.
"They've had some decent results and will be hurting a wee bit from the result on the opening day of the season," he said.
"Over the piece they maybe didn't deserve to lose 4-0 and we were very clinical that day. It will be a good contest as not a lot of teams have turned them over heavily.
"They are a big strong side but if we play as we have been playing they should hopefully be spending most of their time on the back foot instead of the front foot."
The manager is hopeful Stephen Jordan will be fit for this weekend and expected him to return to training today (Thursday).
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