FANS A HUGE HELP SAYS MANAGER

Manager Derek McInnes today heaped praise on the supporters who backed the side in big numbers at Saturday’s game in Dunfermline.

1,665 fans filed into the East Stand at East End Park with many of them making the trip specially as part of a Blue and White Away Day initiative kicked off on the We Are Perth web forum and they had the perfect view of Liam Craig’s winning goal which took Saints to the top of the league.

Derek said “The supporters were magnificent, not just in terms of numbers but the noise they made – it really does help tremendously. It would be magic to have that every week but it is a two way thing – I have to give the fans a team that they can be proud of and want to come and see. It would be great to have banners and flags and ticker tape at the home games too but hopefully if we can keep on a winning run then that might come. Whoever started the initiative for East End Park deserves a pat on the back and I hope he does another one soon!”

Turning his attention to the game itself Derek was obviously pleased to see the team’s run of good form continue.

“It has been good to right the wrongs of the first two games against Partick Thistle. The games at Firhill and the home match against Dunfermline were the low points of the season so far, so to beat them both in the second round of fixtures and go top of the league is very pleasing and a very significant achievement for the players.

“However, it would be wrong to get too excited – we are only 12 games into a 36 game campaign and I think there have been four different sides at the top of the league already. However, we have scored some quality goals in recent weeks and deserve to be where we are. Now it’s all about keeping the run going against Ross County on Saturday.”

Kevin Moon is expected to do some light training today following his nasty knock at East End. Mooner took the full force of Stephen Glass’s studs in his chest in an unfortunate clash on Saturday and blacked out after being winded. However, he was allowed home after hospital treatment.