Dunfermline’s clash with bitter rivals Falkirk was always likely to bring the current frustrations of fans to the fore with a defeat.
The Pars’ 2-0 loss laid bare the difficulties facing manager James McPake and his side on the pitch.
And, off it, the Fifers do not appear to be in a good place either.
A banner unfurled by some supporters ahead of kick-off declared: ‘Identity, unity, passion – more than just 90 minutes’.
But there are certainly question marks over the first of those two qualities at the moment.
Boos greeted the half-time whistle against the Bairns. But the jeers were muted at full-time because the vast majority of the home crowd had already left.
On their way out of the main stand, some did hurl abuse at the directors’ box and it appeared that stewards were forced to intervene.
Courier Sport looks at the root of the fans’ anger.
Results
It goes without saying that fans are always happier when their team is winning games of football.
The Pars have tasted victory just once since March 30.
They finished last season with just one defeat in their last eight games in an impressive run of form.
But four draws and a loss from their final five games, coupled with a poor Premier Sports Cup campaign last month, has removed any optimism that may have lingered from the Spring.
Saturday’s defeat to rivals Falkirk was hard to bear. It was their fifth straight reverse, with just one goal scored in that sequence.
With a lack of confidence currently a clear issue, performances have been committed but have fallen well short on the quality and excitement expected by supporters.
Recruitment
Dunfermline have been the least active in the transfer market of any club in the Championship this summer.
Having lost ten players from an admittedly bloated squad at the end of last season, and then sold Josh Edwards to Charlton Athletic, they have signed just three new players.
Kieran Ngwenya has replaced Edwards, and Chris Kane and David Wotherspoon have added experience to a youthful squad.
But, with Kane on loan at the club last term, the lack of business is stark.
Chief executive David Cook said in a statement in June that the Fifers had to be ‘diligent and prudent’ with their budget.
But, given the size of the club and its position as the 11th best supported team in Scotland last season, fans will wonder why the budget is so tight.
When questioned, McPake has been candid in his assessment of the squad available to him.
He admitted at the weekend it was not strong enough and indicated the Fifers have no chance of competing for a play-off place as things stand.
Supporters would surely be right to expect more hope at the start of a new campaign.
Goalkeeper saga
The club’s hunt for a second senior goalkeeper has, for some, summed up their frustrations with the club.
When Max Little was released at the end of last season, the Pars needed a replacement who could put pressure on Deniz Mehmet for the number one spot.
They are still waiting.
For all four Premier Sports Cup group games, there was no available replacement for Mehmet on the bench.
In both league games so far this season, 17-year-old Lewis Briggs has been the back-up.
Freed Celtic youngster Kai McLean was signed on a short-term deal. But it transpired he could not be registered due to SPFL rules and it forced an apology from Cook.
It has been a worrying episode for supporters.
Silent owners
When Cook gave an update to the club’s official website last month, he indicated there was a desire from the board to ‘communicate with a bit more frequency this season’.
He said it was an improvement that had been called for by supporters.
There have been some fans’ forums periodically but numbers for those are limited.
Aside from appearances by sporting director Thomas Meggle at these events, the club’s majority owners have largely been silent in recent times.
Question marks hang over player recruitment, the signing budget, aims and expectations for the team this season, overall financial health and the future direction of the club.
Supporters would be right to feel they deserve to hear more from the chain of command.
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