Raymie Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 James McPake: Dunfermline ‘can’t compete’ with transfer rivals The Pars boss has already missed out on targets this summer. James McPake has confessed he fears Dunfermline ‘just can’t compete’ with big-spending Championship rivals this summer. The Pars have so far recruited only Chris Kane on a permanent deal following his successful loan from St Johnstone last season. However, with four first-team players departing at the end of their contracts and six further loanees returning to their parent clubs, the Fifers clearly need to strengthen. It is thought the East End Park side had identified the likes of Logan Chalmers, George Oakley, Scott McMann and Dylan Easton as possible targets this summer. Dunfermline boss James McPake appears to have been frustrated in the transfer market so far this summer. But McPake appears to have been frustrated so far in his attempts to add to his squad, with rivals Raith Rovers, Ayr United and Partick Thistle all recruiting impressively. Without a big ‘Premiership’ club boasting a bumper budget, the Dunfermline boss believes some clubs are sensing an opportunity to land promotion to the Premiership next term. McPake told Courier Sport: “At the minute, we can’t compete when it comes to the wages you’re hearing players are getting or that the agents are telling you other clubs are offering. “There have been a couple of players we were interested in but we just can’t match certain teams in this league. “Every manager would say they want to go out and sign as many good players as they can. “In terms of the squad we have just now, when they’re all fit, I believe it’s decent enough; it’s pretty strong. “But we know we need to add to it. “This is a tough league, and you can see with some of the signings that have been made that there are clubs who are desperate to go and try and get out of it. “There isn’t a Hearts or a Hibs or a Dundee United next season, and that’s the first time for a while there’s not been a team with a big gulf in their budget. “I think that’s why a lot of teams are doing that for next season.” Raith Rovers have recruited Lewis Stevenson, Callum Fordyce and Shaun Byrne, Ayr United have snapped up Oakley, McMann and Marco Rus, and Partick Thistle have signed Robbie Crawford, Kyle Turner and Chalmers. With relegated Livingston undergoing a significant overhaul with eight new recruits and Falkirk agreeing deals with Ethan Ross and Dylan Tait, Dunfermline look in danger of being left behind. With a replacement for Josh Edwards one of the pressing priorities following the defender’s move to Charlton Athletic on Wednesday, McPake and assistant Dave Mackay have identified the need to add experience to the side. He added: “We’re not going to bring six or seven players in, just with the way it is, the dynamics of the budget and the wages other clubs are offering. “So, we need to make sure the ones we’re bringing in are right and that they fit into the wage structure given to us by the board. “If we don’t get the bodies in that we’re after then we’ll work with the younger players. It’s something myself and Dave have had success with before. “The likes of Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Ewan Otoo, Matty Todd, Lewis McCann, Chris Hamilton and Sam Fisher have got another year under their belt. “But, in my opinion, we certainly need a wee bit of experience and quality as well to help these younger ones out at certain points in the season. “And for the depth of the squad we need to add options. We know as a club at the minute the depth of the squad isn’t enough.” ***copied and pasted from the courier*** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymie Posted June 20 Author Report Share Posted June 20 (edited) Well, as suspected, we won't be doing too much business this summer.... Pre-season training starts tomorrow? Edited June 20 by Raymie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Red Sox Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 15 minutes ago, Raymie said: Well, as suspected, we won't be doing too much business this summer.... Pre-season training starts tomorrow? Season ticket does not get renewed tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parsforlife Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 Quite the interview, can't wrap my head around what's going on in our boardroom that leads to this sort of situation 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosythpar Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 (edited) I think he will walk at some point. I still haven't renewed my season ticket yet and you wonder what the point in it will be. Edited June 20 by rosythpar 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superally Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 Disappointed to hear this it looks like a bottom half of the table and flirting with relegation play off beckons. personally i don't think this is good enough for the Pars. If there is likely to be a further dependence on loans once more what player are we likely to attract that can make a difference and be faced with the prospect of a potential relegation fight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 58 minutes ago, Raymie said: Well, as suspected, we won't be doing too much business this summer.... Pre-season training starts tomorrow? Players are in for testing tomorrow, but pre season will properly begin on Monday I beleive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livipar2 Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 I’ve no problem with us being sensible with the budget but somebody needs to explain to me who we can’t compete with Raith, Patrick and Ayr. These teams have significantly smaller gates than us. Some comms from the Board wouldn’t go amiss. Glad McPake is being honest as it’s him that will cop it if we aren’t competing at the top. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanguinePar Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 1 hour ago, Raymie said: with four first-team players departing at the end of their contracts Which 4? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deutsch Par Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 I have split this into a separate topic as it merits a discussion of it's own imo. It is extremely worrying that James McPake has seen fit to tell The Courier that we can't complete with other clubs. Also, why can't we compete? We're the best supported club in the division. Doesn't the lifeline exist any more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRBpar Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 I want to know where money is going. And I want to hear from cook and the Germans. When was the last time they gave a message to the fans. be lucky to get 2000 season tickets sold this year. I feel for mcpake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al k Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 It was hinted to at the end of the season. I'm unsure why we can't, granted Ayr let a few players go and sold one player to York. They've still managed to build a new stand and bring in some good looking signings and they paid off Bullen. How are we so bad? As far as I can see the owners have covered £300,000 and the rest of the "facility's" have been Grants. We've had money for Nisbet and Edwards, Hughes quit, as did Crawford so only Grant paid off. How much have we paid in fees for Otto, Fisher and Ritchie-Hosler? The running of the club is looking more shambolic as the months speed by. Every season we've finished a league cup hardly able to fill a bench, no wonder we hardly have any prize money. The paid members of staff actually adding any value to the club? Couldn't wait for last season to finish and I'm already dreading this one starting I mean what the actual ****? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosythpar Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 Other teams will be aware of our cash problems and could come in with low offers for Hamilton and Otoo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanguinePar Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 7 minutes ago, Al k said: Hughes quit, as did Crawford so only Grant paid off. I've no inside knowledge, but I wouldn't be surprised if Hughes still got a payoff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deutsch Par Posted June 20 Report Share Posted June 20 10 minutes ago, Al k said: The paid members of staff actually adding any value to the club? Very good question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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