ST MIRREN assistant manager James Fowler doesn’t have any concerns about the team bouncing back from their 4-1 defeat to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie last weekend.
The Scottish Championship table-toppers return to league action tonight as they head to East End Park to face Allan Johnston’s Dunfermline and Fowler knows the importance getting back to winning ways under the lights and live in front of the cameras is.
He said: “It is something the gaffer (Jack Ross) has spoken about on a number of occasions as well, that there has always been a reaction. Obviously that has been in the league as well but in the cup, you never like losing games, no matter who it is against. So it is important we get back in that winning groove.”
It is one win apiece between the sides so far this season with Dunfermline winning 3-0 at home in September when St. Mirren were reduced to nine men. With Saints coming out victorious in the reverse fixture 1-0 at The Paisley 2021 Stadium in December, Fowler says there is not much between the two teams.
He continued: “Dunfermline are in this league as well and we are probably similar, I would say, in terms of our squads ability wise. We have the confidence now we are top, and hopefully that continues.
“It’s a game apiece just now head to head and they have some good players and they have added some new additions in January as well which will definitely strengthen them. It is a big ask going there and winning but it is one we are confident we can go there and do.”
St Mirren have already recruited ex-Falkirk midfielder Ryan Flynn on a two-and-a-half year deal and 19-year-old Mark Hill on loan from Celtic until the end of the season. Danny Mullen has also made his emergency loan switch from Livingston permanent.
Fowler admits that there could be more movement before the window slams shut on February 1 but says any new arrivals would have to be of the correct standard.
He said: “Yeah, but it needs to be the right ones. It is hard. Last year we were looking to change the full squad. This January we are just looking to add one or two who are really going to make us better but we are working hard and hopefully we can bring in one or two of the right quality. There is still the potential for a couple of cross border ones, but that has its own challenges as well.”
Meanwhile, Dunfermline manager Johnston is refusing to throw in the towel in the race for the Championship title - but concedes that tonight’s clash is effectively ‘must-win’ if they are to haul back their rivals.
The Fifers, who crashed out of the Scottish Cup with a 2-1 defeat against Morton, trail St Mirren by 15 points, albeit they boast a game in hand, however Johnston remains adamant his side are still in the hunt for top-spot.
He added: “We know it is a massive game. St Mirren are way ahead at the moment but it is up to us to pull them back. There is still a long way to go this season but, realistically, it would probably be right to call it a must-win game.
“I think back to when I was at Kilmarnock and Hibs went into free-fall (2013/14) and ended up getting relegated. Anything can happen in the second half of the season.”
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