There are things you're head over heels about, and a few things you're not overly keen on, some things the other party does that irritate you, but you're just getting to know each other so it doesn't seem the right time to point out their faults. Then, a bit further down the line when you're more settled, you can start to be more honest and talk about the things you don't like in the hope that they will change their ways. Jefferies and Dunfermline should reach that point in their blossoming relationship early this week.
He spent the first few days as the new manager at East End Park largely just observing. Gerry McCabe, his assistant, continued to take training, while Jefferies didn't make wholesale changes to the team that faced St Mirren at the weekend.
That match, a 1-1 draw that took Dunfermline a point closer to survival, gave him an opportunity to learn more about his new charges, and for all he was happy with their application and effort, there were a number of little things that clearly annoyed him too.
Today, at the start of his first full week as Dunfermline manager, Jefferies will start to talk to his players about what he feels are their bad habits in the hope that they will eradicate them in their seven matches that remain. They have given themselves a real chance of escaping the drop – they trail Hibernian now by just three points – but their new leader believes they must be more pragmatic and keep things simple if they are to turn their fortunes.
"Playing the percentages," was how he described it, meaning defenders not dallying in possession, playing team-mates into trouble or attempting dangerous balls forward. Alex Keddie, who had a late chance to win the match for Dunfermline after Joe Cardle had cancelled out Steven Thompson's goal for St Mirren, is looking forward to learning more about the Jefferies way of doing things.
"I think he's big on making sure you put a shift in and come off the training ground knowing you've put in a shift," he said. "We're expecting that plus things like talking about team shape, him stamping his own authority on the team. I'm sure he'll tell us the things he likes and doesn't like."
Jim McIntyre, Jefferies' predecessor, was praised initially for trying to get his side playing an open style but there is a feeling that the time for doing so may have now passed. If they do stay up this season, it may come down to battling for every last point.
"Once the split comes it will be a free-for-all for points and we'll be biting and scratching for every one of them," added Keddie.
Jim Goodwin can vouch for Dunfermline's fighting qualities. The St Mirren captain broke his nose after catching an elbow in the face on Saturday, and seemed to be in the wars generally after picking up an early booking. "Yeah, I got a couple of dull ones," he revealed. "But if you give it out, you have to be prepared to take it too."
It would prove to be another frustrating afternoon for St Mirren, this their sixth draw in their last seven league matches. A season that looked to promise so much has fizzled out somewhat and Goodwin isn't happy about it.
"We had a great first half of the season and quite a disappointing second half," sighed the Irishman. "We've not finished teams off when we've had the chance and this was just another example of that."
