Going by the last eight matches Raith Rovers are the form side in the Scottish Championship.
Five wins in that time has seen Ian Murray’s men put a stuttering start to the season behind them.
They are now third in the league – although just two points separate second from seventh.
Raith are without defeat in their last four, conceding just twice.
Difficult start
Murray had to be patient in the transfer window but now has a squad he is much happier with.
In the days leading up to the league starting Christophe Berra retired, leaving new recruit Ryan Nolan the only recognised central defender at the club.
He had yet to make his debut and started alongside midfielder Scott Brown for the season opener.
Since then 19-year-old Connor O’Riordan has come in and initially formed a good partnership with Nolan, who hadn’t played much football in recent times due to injury.
That duo flourished before Nolan dropped out with injury and the forced change appeared to aid Rovers in a defensive and an attacking sense.
It also saw Brown moved into his natural position, unleashing Sam Stanton further forward, who scored four times in six matches.
Backline switch
Liam Dick had filled in at centre-half during a disappointing Premier Sports Cup campaign and was moved there again alongside O’Riordan last month.
Since then they have conceded three goals in six matches; they have conceded just two goals from open play in nine.
The switch also meant a more attacking option at left-back in Kieran Ngwenya.
That change came a couple of weeks after a change in shape from a 4-1-3-2 to a more solid 4-2-3-1.
Murray said he felt the formation “suited” his players.
Ngwenya is certainly suited to this approach. The Aberdeen loanee provides a similar option to Ross Millen on the other flank.
On the right Millen will overlap as Aidan Connolly attacks from the right.
In recent weeks the Aberdeen loanee has provided this on the left while Dylan Easton drifts inside – both Easton and Connolly scored at the weekend; Connolly scored a brace the week before.
✨ @DylanEaston31 doing bits ✨#cinchChamp | @RaithRovers pic.twitter.com/hSF8T95lSU
— SPFL (@spfl) November 7, 2022
Home advantage
Raith have the best home form in the Scottish Championship, winning five of seven.
This week they travel to Dens Park to take on Dundee – who they are level on points with – and it is on the road where they have been more vulnerable.
Rovers have lost away to Cove Rangers, Partick Thistle, Queen’s Park and Morton.
In saying that their last two away from Stark’s Park were a win in Arbroath and a draw in Inverness.
The match before that saw them lose 1-0 at Morton due to a late contentious penalty decision.
