East Fife boss Gary Naysmith insists the fans at Bayview deserve better than what they have been served up for most of this season and hopes his side can deliver against league leaders Arbroath this afternoon.
Naysmith cut a frustrated figure after last weekend’s 3-1 loss at Clyde and suggested his team had folded like a pack of cards after having led at half-time.
It was just the latest setback in what has been a fairly inconsistent season to date, and the Fifers now realistically have to stay within touching distance of the fourth promotion play-off spot to have any hope of bouncing back to League One.
Naysmith certainly is not shirking his responsibility, and has challenged his players to stand up and be counted themselves as they seek to repeat the win they managed over today’s visitors at Gayfield earlier this season.
“You have to fight through it,” he stressed.
“It was never going to be easy but I didn’t think it would be as hard as we’re making it this season.
“I’m not passing the blame, I’m the manager and I put the team out on the pitch.
“The performances lately in the last couple of weeks have not been good enough, but somewhere along the line you can’t always hide behind the manager.
“The effort is there, but the commitment and the decision-making is not good enough just now.
“I have to be honest and say that I have never walked away from anything in my life and I’m not going to start now.
“It’s up to me to get that same group of players up again and get going against Arbroath.
“It will be a good game against Arbroath who we’ve beaten already, they’ll bring a big travelling support and hopefully our fans will turn out.
“The only way we can get people back to watch us is to get a run of results and a run of performances.”
Naysmith is struggling with a calf injury, while midfielders Caolan McAleer and Alan Cook are also doubtful with back and ankle problems respectively.
Defender Liam Smith and forward Jon McShane have also been carrying injuries, so the Fifers have recalled Daryl Falconer from Newburgh to boost numbers.