TOUGH AT THE TOP BUT VICTORY IS VITAL

EAST Fife boss Dave Baikie admits he was "gutted" to drop two points after conceeding a late equaliser against Queen's Park on Saturday

His men managed to put the previous week's disappointment of throwing away a three-goal lead against Montrose behind them to put in a really good performance against Queen's, until the 88th minute sucker punch.

The Fife manager said: "Again I thought we played really well throughout the game and I can't remember our keeper having a save to make in the first half, and he maybe only had to make one in the second.

"We had our chances to win the game before they equalised, though. Paul Walker should have scored and Stevie Nicholas had a good chance as well.

"But Queen's Park are a decent side and they came back at us and put us under a bit of pressure. I think they had three corners in the last 10 minutes, but obviously you're always gutted to lose a late goal."

Transfer window signings Kevin McBride and Paul Walker in particular stood out for East Fife with McBride's stunning free-kick opener drawing comparisons in one newspaper between Zinedine Zidane's Hampden screamer five years ago

"I've known Kevin from my time at Cowdenbeath and know he is deadly from a set-piece situation," said Baikie. "He's a great dead-ball specialist and he proved that on Saturday.

"Paul Walker's had a bad time with injuries at Ayr but he's a quality player and will open doors for us."
On Saturday, East Fife face fellow promotion-chasers Dumbarton, who have three matches in hand over the Methil men _ meaning defeat is not an option.

Baikie said: "We have some big games coming up now and we're playing a few of the teams that are around us, so it's going to be very tough. But the way we've been playing recently, we certainly don't fear anyone.

"We sat long enough at the top of the league and we know that carries its own pressures, so it will be interesting to see how the other teams cope.

"Berwick lost at Elgin at the weekend and not many people saw that coming, so they are now having to live with the pressure of being league leaders.

"I feel over the last two or three games we've been the better side but we've ended up with two points out of nine. I think defensively we've been a bit poor, so we've been working on that and it's beginning to show a little now."

Two players who won't be taking part in Fife's promotion push for the next month at least are Sam Linton and John Martin, who have been farmed out to local junior clubs.

"The players came to me and told me they wanted to be playing football each week, so we've agreed to let them go on loan," explained Baikie.

"This move is for the benefit of East Fife because it's difficult to get friendly games arranged and natrually, players who haven't been playing want to keep their fitness up.

"They're not on loan until to end of the season or anything like that. It's only for a few games and it's important the fans know this is not a case of 'out of sight out of mind'.

"The players asked for this move and I'm sure it will benefit the club."

07 February 2007

I agree with Baikie here...when Martin comes back after playing full games and getting his fitness levels up he will do well with us before the end of the season. Looking forward to see you back. the sooner the better

1 player who won't be taking part in Fife's promotion push for the next month at least is "Mikey" who has been sent out on loan enhance his dribbling skills by observing eldery patients at a Finnish hospital.

"He came to me and told me he wanted to learn continental dribbling skills each week, so we've agreed to let him go on loan," explained Baikie.

"This move is for the benefit of East Fife because we are currently shite and "Mikey" is by far the best player"

"He's not on loan until to end of the season or anything like that. It's only for a few weeks and it's important the fans know this is not a case of 'out of sight out of mind'.

"He asked for this move so he could also go out partying each weekend and build snowmen."

07 February 2007

Good luck SAM and JOHN

Mikey have you been eating that yelly snaw again?

long time no hear mikey - was gettin worried - where u been? In the jail? I told you, that sort of thing is just as illegal in Finland as it is in the UK - put it away, no-one wants to see it.

I've been busy learning the words to "Mary Fi Methilhill" in Finnish and I hope to use at it at Dumbarton on 25 March.

It's too cold to get it out here it's been -30 the last few days so I don't want to have as you call it "small cock syndrome"