Dunfermline’s Steven Bell admits it’s all change for him at the moment, on and off the pitch.
There has been a turnaround in his side’s home form at East End Park this season, something that has helped propel them to the top of the first division.
Personally, there is a big difference on the domestic front with the arrival of a new baby, which has seen Bell helping out with the nappy-changing chores.
“Louise and I were married in Cyprus in May,” he said. “I invited all the lads from the club but it was a bit short notice as we only booked it in March.
“It was originally only meant to be close family going over. However, Alex Burke, Nicky Phinn, Joe Cardle and Graeme Holmes, who is now at Morton, also flew to Cyprus for our big day. Louise and I had a wee baby Nicholas three weeks ago, the day before we played Partick Thistle.
“I have not had too many sleepless nights, thankfully. Louise is feeding him herself so she is up during the night. All I can do is help change the nappies and bath him when I get home from training. It is enjoyable and I love it. A baby really changes your life.”Football dutiesOn the footballing front, Bell pinpointed a team meeting at the start of the season for possibly being responsible for the turnaround in the Pars’ home form.
Often last year, Dunfermline failed to capitalise on early pressure at East End Park and failed to recover from going a goal down.
They lost the opening goal against Ross County last Saturday but showed great character and self-belief to hit back and eventually run out 3-2 winners.
“We had a chat about things at the start of the season,” said Bell. “The gaffer held a meeting with all the boys and set out our plans.
“Obviously, every year, our main aim is to win the league. But one of the other big targets was to improve our home form. Too often last year, we were battering teams at East End Park, then conceding the first goal and not being able to recover.
“We went behind on Saturday against Ross County but showed great character to come back and take all three points. I think in a lot of games last year, if we had gone behind like that, we would not have gone on to win.
“But that is twice this season we have lost the first goal and ended up winning the game. Hopefully, that shows we have turned things around as they are big points when you drop them at home.”
Bell also revealed his personal targets for the campaign.
“I have scored three goals in six games so far this season,” he added. “Obviously, I would like to get more. I scored 11 last term and I will be looking to match or top that total again in this campaign.Double-figure target”I think players would be lying to you if they said they did not set goal targets for themselves every year and I always try to get into double figures.
“It is good for a side if the midfield are chipping in with goals. Last season, I think Willie Gibson, Joe Cardle and Davie Graham all got around the double figure mark.”
Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre hopes to have skipper Austin McCann available for this weekend’s game against Dundee. The defender has been out for a couple of weeks with a medial ligament strain.
“Austin has started running and has a chance of making the Dundee game,” he said. “Calum Woods took a sore kick against Ross County and has a bit of bruising but he should be OK. Alex Burke is still some way from coming back though.”