Owain Fon Williams insists Dunfermline players must ‘look in the mirror’ following their Boxing Day horror show against Arbroath.
The experienced goalkeeper pulled no punches in the aftermath of the 3-0 defeat, insisting the lack of intensity and tempo was unforgivable.
And the Wales internationalist has called for accountability in the dressing room as the Fifers seek to arrest a four-game winless run.
Dunfermline, occupying a relegation playoff position, host Fon Williams’ former club Inverness on Wednesday evening.
“We need to look ourselves in the mirror and be accountable,” said the 34-year-old.
“We need to start implement what we do on the training ground in games.
“That [Arbroath defeat] was not the standard required to play for this football club. We need to take responsibility for that. It’s not good enough.
“We are where we are in the league because of that.”
An inability to translate sharp, inventive football on the training ground into the match-day was an oft-repeated source of frustration for ex-manager Peter Grant.
Asked why that continued to be the case, Fon Williams added: “I don’t know. The only thing I can say to something like that is: it’s a mindset.”
Sluggish
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the defeat against the Lichties was the Pars’ passive, pedestrian attacking endeavours.
It did not go unnoticed in the dressing room and Fon Williams has called upon the entire squad to hold themselves — and each other — to higher standards.
“We are keeping the ball in certain areas but we need to move the ball quicker,” he continued.
“That’s especially true if you are playing against teams who are quite happy to sit in and be organised.
“You can only pop the opposition about if your ball speed is good.
“We are doing that in training so when we are out on the pitch, we must demand that from each other.
“We need to demand a better, crisp ball to cut through the opposition when they aren’t set.”
Inverness reunion
Dunfermline will seek to replicate their season highlight when Inverness visit East End Park, having claimed a memorable 2-1 win over the Highlanders last month.
The Yogi Effect 👀🏁 https://t.co/9JDqPPzBIE pic.twitter.com/J1sqAcSMvd
— Alan Temple (@alanftemple) November 13, 2021
The triumph ended a 14-game winless streak in the Championship.
The Pars were the only side in the SPFL yet to register a league victory ahead of the encounter.
Fon Williams added: “We won up at their place so hopefully we can produce a similar performance and result — but we’ll need to shift that ball quicker.”
