The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Rovers manager wants his players to keep it simple
Raith Rovers manager Barry Smith will deliver a simple message to his tabletopping squad just before kick-off against Stranraer at Stair Park.
Smith explained: “We are playing at a difficult venue and it will be hard to win there.
“They have good and experienced players in their team.
“They changed their formation around to get a win over Alloa last weekend and will be looking to build on that. All I will ask the players to do is to play at the right level.
“If we are at the right level of performance then we will win. If we do not go about things correctly then we will not do as well as we have been doing.”
The Kirkcaldy side bounced back from losing for the first time in the league, when they went down to Albion Rovers before the international break, by ending Arbroath’s 13-month unbeaten run away from home with a 2-0 success last weekend.
That win saw Raith finish the first quarter of games five points clear of second-placed Ayr.
Smith said: “It was quite a scrappy game but it was a well-deserved win.
“We defended well and worked hard against a good Arbroath side and that was enough to get the three points.
“We had a good first quarter and we are in a good place but there still is a lot of hard work to be done.
“Confidence was low after what happened last season but winning games brings confidence back.
“That is what the players have done and they also know that they can express themselves however we cannot take anything for granted.”
Goalkeeping duo Kevin Cuthbert and Aaron Lennox remain out injured, with Kyle Benedictus also remaining on the sidelines.
Kevin Mchattie is close to a playing return after nearly two months out, with Smith likely to put the full-back on the bench.
● Raith have announced that the club made a £199,000 loss last season as they suffered relegation to League 1.
That followed a £49,000 loss in the previous campaign which was incurred despite reaching the promotion playoffs and with Rangers and Hibs competing in the same league.
The dire situation led to the recent takeover by stadium landlord John Sim.
Sim also provided £150,000 at the end of last season which covered creditors and ensured costs were met throughout the summer.
In addition, the new owner made a commitment to provide further support of £100,000 during the current season to help the club stay full-time in League 1.
Raith’s overall balance sheet shows a deficit in the region of £1 million, with around £830,000 considered to be “internal debt’ due to directors, Stark’s Park Properties and New Raith Rovers investments.
It is understood though that an agreement has been put in place that will see £420,000 of this debt being written off.