Dunfermline manager John Potter has defended drastically altering his starting line-up ahead of Tuesday night’s defeat at home to Brechin City.
Potter made no fewer than seven changes to the team that had lost 1-0 to Forfar at the weekend but the decision to tinker with his first 11 backfired as Brechin took all three points from East End Park.
But the Pars boss insisted that he felt a shake up was needed on the back of the loss at Station Park and believed Tuesday night’s team was more than capable of getting the job done.
“Saturday wasn’t good enough that was my thinking behind making so many changes,” he explained.
“I’ve got a squad there and we’re trying to use it.
“I would like to play the same 11 every week but if players are struggling for form and we’re not winning games I’ve got to change it.
“We did that against Brechin and for 45 minutes I thought we were good.
“I thought we passed it well and we had the right energy, it’s just that little bit around about the box that we’re missing at the moment and the wee mistakes we’re making are being punished.
“That’s football.”
Potter also came in for criticism for substituting striker Michael Moffat with just over 10 minutes to go of Tuesday night’s encounter, with the decision roundly booed by the home support.
Again though, the Pars boss stressed the replacement was made in good faith.
“The fans are expecting Michael to go and score goals, so am I, but Andy Barrowman had scored two the last time we played, scored a last minute winner, he was fresh and it was the last 10 minutes of the game,” he continued.
“We pushed David Hopkirk higher up the left hand side so we tried to finish the game with Josh Falkingham on the right and positive players going forward.
“That’s my decision I’m the manager and I’ve got to make these decisions.
“I’m thinking Andy was going to go on there and cause a few problems if the ball goes a bit longer in the last 10 minutes.
“It never happened but they are the calls I’ve got to make.”
The Pars slipped six points behind Brechin in the promotion race thanks to Tuesday’s 1-0 loss, and they now head to face league leaders Stranraer in search of a much-needed victory.
Potter has tipped his side to provide the right response at Stair Park, and backed goalkeeper Ryan Scully whose mistake led to Brechin’s winner in midweek to bounce back.
“He’s made a mistake and he’s big enough to admit it,” the boss concluded.
“He’s had two fantastic saves before that.
“But the little things aren’t going for us, and we’re not doing things well enough.
“We just have to work harder and go again on Saturday.”