Published: Thursday, 2nd July, 2009 9:57am

Pars' play school

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PARS won"t be favourites for the First Division title but their young team will play better football, according to manager Jim McIntyre.

The boss also rubbished reports that his playing career was over and tipped teenager Paul Willis to have a big future in the game.

McIntyre was speaking as Pars began their pre-season training and, while "Homer" is back, there"s thankfully no-one the same shape as the Simpsons main character.

He said, 'The boys have all come back fit, although I wouldn"t expect anything else as the days of players returning with beer bellies have long gone!

'Everything is far more professional, they were all given programmes to follow which is based on sport science and designed to keep them ticking over.'

McIntyre admitted that he"s put together a younger squad but added, 'We"ll see what that brings us but I"ve got faith in this group.

'Some may be younger but they"ve played a lot of games and know what this division is all about.

'I don"t think we"ll be expected to win the league when you look at the other sides but I"m expecting us to be up there.'

He continued, 'I think the money Dundee has thrown about makes them obvious favourites but Morton have got a physical aspect which makes them difficult to play.

'I think Queen of the South will go well and Partick Thistle too.

'It was such a tight league last season and I"m not expecting it to be anything different.'

Entertaining football is another expectation and he won"t stand for an aimless punt up the park.

'I want to get the ball down and play,' McIntyre said. 'I"ve never told them to lump it up towards Graham Bayne and it drives me nuts if it happens.

'A good long pass is always an option but just a big kick up the park is of no interest to me.

'I don"t have the type of midfielders who bully the opposition so we have to play to their strengths. I want to play through the midfield, that"s why we"ve got wider players here who can get on the ball and get crosses into the box for the strikers.'

McIntyre is also pleased that Graeme Holmes is back to bolster the midfield after an injury-hit first season at the Pars.

He said, 'It"ll be like a new signing having Homer back.

'He"s always telling me he set up two and scored one in his three appearances so if he keeps that up he"ll be a world beater!

'Joking aside, he"s a footballer that"s very comfortable on the ball and it"ll be great to have him injury-free.'

McIntyre has not made up his mind about his best team for this season and insisted there"s a 'clean slate'.

'I"ve got a few ideas but there"s always someone – like Nick Phinn last season – that comes through and surprises you,' he said.

'I"m there to be impressed.'

One youngster that could make the breakthrough is 17-year-old Willis, who has stepped up to be part of the full squad.

McIntyre said, 'I see a future for Paul, I"ve spoken to him and he has all the attributes to be a good footballer.

'He has to take it in as quick as possible.'

McIntyre has resisted the temptation to bring in more attackers and he"ll rely heavily on Bayne and Andy Kirk.

The manager conceded, 'They did great for me last season but I"m looking for even more now.

'I"m taking a wee gamble in certain positions but Davie Graham can double up and play there too.'

He"d be able to help out in attack himself if he could recover from a torn achilles suffered on 20th December last year.

One report said he was contemplating retirement as a result but he hit out, 'That was just lazy journalism.

'I did say I was at a crossroads but I said that in terms of my injury getting better.

'There"s no way I"m looking to retire. It"s not what I said.

'I just want to get fit and when it heals it heals. I won"t set any targets or I"ll drive myself crazy.'