It is a season where the spirit of goodwill normally shines through but Forfar boss Dick Campbell is unlikely to be in the giving mood ahead of the trip to Dunfermline.
Campbell and former assistant Bert Paton made their mark on the Fife club as the Pars’ management team in the 1990s and returned last month to support a successful fundraiser aimed at swelling the cash-strapped East End Park club’s coffers.
However, following his team’s 6-1 demolition at the hands of Rangers in midweek, the Loons boss’ generosity to the Pars stops there.
“It’s a big game for Dunfermline and I watched them during the week against Ayr in the Scottish Cup,” he said.
“They have been in a bit of a mess financially recently and I have just been at a fundraiser for them but to be honest, I’m not really concentrating on Dunfermline.
“If I talked about going back to my old clubs, there have been that many of them I would be doing it every week.
“I’m more concerned with what Forfar do at the moment, getting three points and bouncing back from the massive kick in the teeth we had in midweek.
“There will certainly be changes but I’ve already named my team and we’re going to Dunfermline to try to get the three points.”
Midfielder Jamie McCluskey is out through injury, while on-loan striker Dale Hilson will also be sidelined after picking up a hamstring injury at Ibrox on Tuesday night.
Defender Stuart Malcolm will miss out due to suspension, although on-loan Aberdeen player Craig Storie is likely to feature in what will be the last game of his short loan spell.
Discussions are continuing between Campbell and Dons boss Derek McInnes about potentially extending Storie’s stay.
Today’s hosts were boosted by the midweek win over Ayr which set up a Scottish Cup date against Rangers in February and the Pars can also take heart from the fact Campbell’s men did not fare particularly well on their last visit to East End.
That was in the First Division relegation play-off semi-final and the Pars ran out 6-1 winners on the day winning 7-4 on aggregate against a Loons team who ended with just eight men.
However, the Pars were humbled 4-0 when the teams met at Station Park in October and will be anxious to avenge that result if possible.
Striker Allan Smith, who scored his first senior goal in that play-off fixture against the Loons, cannot put his finger on why his side were below par up at Forfar and is determined to put things right in the reverse.
“It is a different game on astro. I don’t know why but we have got them at home and last time we played them at home we won 6-1,” he said.
“If I start and the team play the way they should then will get the three points.
“I look forward to each game as it comes. Hopefully, I will start and I just want to do my best for the team and keep getting points on the board.
“The home crowd will make us more relaxed. I think we play better on grass and just can’t wait to get playing.
“The play-offs and promotion are the goals and personally I want to move up a league. It could be a good league next season if we can get up.
“Time will tell.”
Pars boss Jim Jefferies indicated in the wake of Wednesday night’s cup win over Ayr he is likely to freshen things up for Forfar’s visit.