James McPake said his Dunfermline Athletic players took much pride from their start to the season in the Scottish Championship.
The Pars were unbeaten in the first 11 league matches before the defeat at Montrose last weekend.
McPake’s side still sit top of the league after that run, something their manager has reminded them of.
But he has had no trouble lifting the players.
“They want to get back to winning again and as a football club we want to get back to winning,” said McPake.
‘Hurting’
“They were hurting after the game, you could see that because they had a lot of pride in the way that they had started the season after last season.
“We just had to remind ourselves where we are.
“It is very early in what we are trying to do but when disappointments do come you cannot let them linger.”
Dunfermline host Kelty Hearts in the West Fife derby this weekend.
McPake was sure John Potter would turn things around after a difficult – and said as much after the 0-0 between the sides earlier this season.
That result kept Kelty at the bottom of League 1 but they have since risen, mainly down to winning their last three matches.
“I just felt looking at their squad and their experienced players that it shows how hard it can be to go to Kelty,” added the Pars manager.
Kelty Hearts team news: John Potter welcomes back injured defender with just one player out for Dunfermline clash https://t.co/NlCH8XCByr pic.twitter.com/cBcNZzJOF1
— The Courier Sport (@thecouriersport) October 27, 2022
“They will continue to win games in the league and be a threat to teams every single week.”
Team news
Dunfermline are still without the injured duo Lewis McCann and Kevin O’Hara.
There is some better news for midfielder Paul Allan who last played in the win away to FC Edinburgh in August.
“Paul Allan trained fully today for the first time so that’s good news,” said McPake.
“He has done his rehab with the physio and, touch wood, there is no reaction tonight and we can get him going again next week and he can be important for us.”
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