East Fife boss Barry Smith is looking at the bigger picture as his side bids to get back to winning ways against Peterhead today.
Since visiting League One champions Livingston and coming away with a brilliant 1-0 victory on March 11, the Fifers have drawn two and lost three matches, including last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Stenhousemuir.
However, Smith remains appreciative of what his players have achieved since he took charge in December and he is backing them to return to form in what remains of the season.
They host the Blue Toon at Bayview this afternoon and Smith said: “When it comes down to it we have had a couple of bad weeks.
“There have been reasons for that.
“We have been down to the bare bones selection-wise and, in particular, haven’t been able to put out a settled back four because of suspensions and injuries.
“The standard has dropped as a result and now we have to pick up again.
“However, since I came in the players have been brilliant.
“We always knew we would have a sticky patch and that’s exactly what has happened.
“It is now up to us to get back winning again.”
Smith has had to cope without the likes of Kyle Wilkie, Tony Wallace, Jonathan Page, James Penrice and Ryan Goodfellow.
Now it has emerged that Scott Robinson will miss the run-in.
Smith added: “Scott has been excellent for us but he now looks to be out for the rest of the season.”