Thomson: Confidence back for Pars

Joe Thomson says “everyone would have laughed” just a few weeks ago had Dunfermline been mentioned as promotion hopefuls, writes Iain Collin.

But the midfielder is confident the Pars are right in the mix for a play-off spot after five straight wins.

The Fifers were close to the relegation battle when manager Allan Johnston was replaced by Stevie Crawford in January then four games without a win did nothing to boost confidence. But, after five consecutive clean sheets, Thomson reckons the Pars, who host Dundee United today, can hope for even better than their current fourth spot.

With Ayr only three points ahead and United six, Thomson said: “It’s been a good few weeks. The whole team’s defending a lot better and playing more as a unit, and I think that’s showing in the fact we’ve not conceded a goal in the last five games.

“A few weeks ago, everybody would have laughed if you had told them we would be in this position.

“It’s brilliant for us. We’re dragging ourselves back into it and we need to keep the momentum going.

“I would say this is probably a harder game than we’ve faced in the last five, but it’s one that we’re all confident about.

“You would expect that belief, having won five games in a row, and it’s one we’ll definitely be looking to take three points from.”