Dunfermline are suffering from a long injury list and without a win in several attempts their confidence will be very low indeed. Nevertheless, they will look at our home record and feel there is the chance of an upset. We have further worries as there is a slight concern that we have been found out by other teams in the league. We are not good enough to cope with serious pressing in playing our passing game which means we either lose the ball in dangerous areas or resort to a panicked punt to Higdon. Going long to Higdon in itself is not a bad tactic – but he's not superman and when used as plan B he has no support and little chance of finding a teammate if he's won the first ball.
Motherwell v Dunfermline, March 2007
What we do to change things is tricky though. With Jennings suspended the midfield lacks dig, despite Hughes' best (though limited) efforts to reinvent himself as hard tackler at Tynecastle, which will be a big problem regardless of what else is done. Bringing in Carswell alongside Lasley and putting Hughes in front of them is a possibility which would also free up Law to move out wide after recent struggles in the middle. A further bonus of this plan is removing the need to start either Daley or Humphrey.
Defensively we were dismal last time, especially Hateley, but Dunfermline do not have the same quality as Hearts. They are limited in their attacking capability but Graham could pose us problems if we are not careful. Essentially for a team with European ambitions, this is a must win game against a side fighting relegation and we can expect to get back on track with a 2-0 success.
Remember the last time Dunfermline were at Fir Park?