Beware the Sons' backlash, warns JJ
Graham Gibson • Published 14 Sep 2012 12:30
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JIM JEFFERIES has warned his players they must not fall into the trap of complacency when they visit bottom-dogs Dumbarton this Saturday.
Dunfermline travel west boosted by three wins on the bounce that culminated in the dazzling derby victory over Raith Rovers.
The Sons sit rock bottom of the First Division and have yet to pick up a point in their four league games since being promoted last season.
But Jefferies warned there must be no derby-day hangover as he looks for his team to build on their recent good results.
"The Raith Rovers game took care of itself with the occasion and the atmosphere," he told Press Sport.
"One of the things we've got to be careful about is we don't want to get complacent as they're bottom of the league.
"They've just come up from a new division and are finding their feet but the signs are they haven't been doing too badly.
"Everyone probably looks on it as a banker because of our performance against Raith.
"We excelled against Raith but there is no point doing that and letting yourself down the next game if your attitude is not right.
"The players will be well warned as this is no foregone conclusion. No game is and it depends on how you approach it and we need to have the same attitude as we did last Saturday."
Jefferies is well aware that the Pars are one of the division's big scalps that part-time teams such as Dumbarton will be hunting.
"Us, Partick and Falkirk are in the same boat. We're a target for clubs to come after. That is something this young team has got to contend with week-in, week-out.
"They'll raise their game as they're playing us. We've got to make sure they see why we've won all of our last three games."
The manager understands fans' expectations have risen after the Raith game but said, "We have got to keep our feet on the ground.
"Those three wins have done wonders for their confidence but this is a new team with predominantly youngsters and what you get sometimes is a bit of inconsistency even during the games."
Although Jordan McMillan took a knock in training he is expected to be fit for Saturday while Ryan Thomson is back in the squad.
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