If this does turn out to be a good match it will be a pleasant change from the last game between the sides. The contest at East End Park was absolutely dire with neither side showing much in the way of creativity. The Dunfermline-Aberdeen game was on BBC last Sunday and it showed why the Pars are doing well. They, like almost every other third place contender in recent memory, are not a great footballing side - they just make very few defensive mistakes and are capitalising when the opposition slip up. It has been said before that the SPL often makes average teams look good and that is probably the case again. However, if we do not perform to the top of our abilities, Dunfermline will surely graft out another three points.
Red Striped Faddy has a go at East End Park
We went on a disastrous losing run but the sensational Hearts match and two away draws have seen us claw our way back to within one point of United. A win this Saturday would be great but a draw would be acceptable – it is imperative that we keep our momentum going.
Terry Butcher can welcome Stephen Pearson and David Partridge back into the squad while Shaun Fagan is out with a suspension. This means Pearo will return – as if there was any doubt – but Terry might be reluctant to change the defence. What may happen is that we change to three at the back to have a man spare against Brewster and Crawford. Craig Brewster always looked world class playing against Motherwell, regardless of whether it was for Raith Rovers or Dundee United. He has now shown that getting older and losing a yard of pace is not always a bad thing. Crawford is a worry but if we can shut down his supply he is unlikely to turn the game on his own.
The introduction of Partridge may mean that Ferguson drops out and McFadden joins Lehmann upfront. Faddy was superb in the first half last week and a similar performance will ensure we create an abundance of chances. Derek Stillie has been playing in goals for Dunfermline ahead of the injured Ruitenbeek but has looked fairly solid. He’ll have to pick the ball out of the net on Saturday but it won’t be enough to give us a win – a third consecutive 1-1 draw might not be a bad bet.