The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Pars’ mix of craft and graft praised
Stevie Crawford has hailed the mix of craft and graft shown by his Dunfermline attackers as the Pars build momentum at the perfect time.
Craig Wighton turned in a sensational showing for the Fifers as they claimed a breathless 4-3 triumph over Arbroath at the weekend, notching a double and winning a penalty kick – converted by Declan Mcmanus – following a sumptuous flick through Thomas O’brien’s legs on the flank.
While delighted with Wighton’s growing influence on the Halbeath Road, Crawford, pictured, was quick to lavish praise on the work ethic of Kevin O’hara, who often drifted wide, and Mcmanus, playing as an attacking midfielder.
Allied with the creative influences of forwardthinking players such as Dom Thomas and Ewan Henderson, he reckons that is giving Wighton the perfect platform on which to shine.
“I think what Craig will say is that players have given him the opportunity to thrive,” said the Dunfermline manager.
“Let’s not miss out on his bit of skill in the lead-up to the penalty incident for the first goal: Out in the corner flag, having the strength to hold off Thomas O’brien, keeping his composure and then turning him at the right time.
“The wee flick through his legs, then getting to the other side and asking the Arbroath defenders questions – I think it was clinical striker play on that side of things.
“But Kevin O’hara, and Declan – just playing in behind him – and Ewan Henderson and Dom Thomas are all giving him opportunities to show his awareness with his movement and his touch.”
Wighton has also served as the square peg in a round hole at times for the Pars – now on a five-match unbeaten run, winning their last two – at times since arriving at End Park in January.
It has never brought a peep of complaint.
“I did say we see Craig mainly as a striker but in the Dundee game (0-0 draw) he was asked to play out on the right-hand side,” continued Crawford. “It’s sometimes a role that strikers aren’t comfortable with, but he played his part that night in earning us a vital point.
As well as the ruthlessness needed for a striker, he said, “when you do play other positions for the team he’ll also do that side – as do Kevin O’hara and Declan Mcmanus”.
While delighted with their endeavours without the ball, Crawford – a fine marksman in his playing days – knows there is no substitute for rippling the net, which all of his attacking trio did against the Lichties.
He is confident they will take that ever-growing confidence into Friday night’s clash with Alloa; a game which could see them pinch third spot from Dundee, should the Dee lose at Queen of the South.
“Declan, Kevin and Craig all hit the back of the net and there’s no better feeling as a striker.
“If you ask all three of them, they’ll have enjoyed the last couple of games and got that feel-good factor – expressing themselves going forward.”