Jefferies on hunt for new blood
Graham Gibson • Published 30 Mar 2012 09:03
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JIM JEFFERIES wants to throw the form book out the window when he butts heads with coaching protege Peter Houston this weekend.
The new Pars gaffer gave Houston his coaching start at Falkirk when he handed him the reigns of the Bairns' youth team.
He thought so much of his apprentice that when he took charge of Hearts in 1995, Houston joined him as reserve and youth team manager.
With Houston's United side unbeaten in eight premier league games and the Pars without a win in nine, Jefferies is hoping the old adage that form is temporary rings true this weekend.
Jefferies would have loved to have had the same chance as Houston to freshen up his squad and is quickly trying to asses his players as well as keep an eye out for a bargain.
"I'd have loved to have come in here earlier with more time to work.
"I think coming in during January with a transfer window and a chance to make one or two changes and longer to work with the players would have been ideal.
"It's a clean slate for everybody and I have to work with the players I've got. It's like looking for a needle in haystack right now with the transfer window closed.
"You've got to look closely at the players out of contract and what's the reasons for that.
"I have got a lot of people actively looking with the contacts I've built up over the years.
"We need a goalkeeper to challenge Chris (Smith) and provide cover. It's about trying to find somebody out of contract who's good enough."
This week the Pars have had former NEC Nijmegen goalkeeper Nicholas Skverer training with them, who was recommend by the same agent who brought Mark de Vries to Hearts.
Jefferies added, "Everybody must pull together, the fans, players, ourselves, and it wont be for lack of effort.
"There are good, humble people at this club who want their team to do well.
"The supporters gave us a fantastic reception on Saturday, and I said to Gerry (McCabe), 'I know it's the first game and a tough job, but I really think I'm going to enjoy it here'."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 29 Mar 12
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