Crawford sure goal drought will come to an end
Dunfermline manager Stevie Crawford is adamant his side will halt their goal drought if they showcase the same attacking impetus as they did at Tynecastle in upcoming clashes.
The Pars failed to ripple the net for a third successive Championship fixture, but, despite succumbing to defeat, they were far more dangerous in the final third than during previous stalemates against Morton and Ayr United.
Declan Mcmanus saw a shot cleared off the line in the opening exchanges, while Jambos No. 1 Craig Gordon produced a quite magnificent save to deny Ryan Dow on the cusp of half-time.
As such, Crawford was far from downbeat after slipping to a first league reverse in the league this term, one which sees them fall 12 points behind the capital club.
“Apart from the obvious disappointment of losing, the positive aspect was that we worked the keeper more than in previous weeks,” said Crawford.
“Within the first minutes, we had a Declan shot cleared off the line. Ryan Dow had a great header – how Craig (Gordon) got it over the bar, I don’t know? But that just shows the level of a Scotland international. Craig was magnificent on the day.
“So I’m asking for more of the same and the goals will come.”
However, ultimately, the strength in depth of the hosts was the difference, with Hearts able to replace Scotland stalwart Steven Naismith with the mercurial Jamie Walker. And Walker produced the moment of magic which settled a stodgy contest.
“It was a decent finish from Jamie Walker, he’s turned Euan Murray and put it across the keeper like good strikers do – he’s taken his opportunity well.”
With Raith Rovers sweeping aside Dundee yesterday, Dunfermline will welcome their fierce foes to East End Park on Wednesday with the sides level on 21 points. A mouth-watering contest awaits.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” added Crawford. “I always look forward to derbies and we’re facing a Raith side on a good run of form. I can only ask my players to go with the same methods and application as we showed against Hearts.”
Dunfermline, meanwhile, were without Dom Thomas – arguably their most potent attacking threat via set-pieces – and Kyle Turner, with both players absent from the squad. And Crawford was coy regarding the reasons, but confirmed they were not Covid-related. Both are available for Wednesday.
“That was something that happened yesterday in training,” added Crawford. “We keep that in-house. It was nothing untoward, we just have to put a squad of 18 together for games like this. They will be available for midweek.”