The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Raith boss calls on players to hit high benchmark again
RAITH ROVERS V EAST FIFE
The last time Raith played East Fife, they ran out convincing 5-0 winners – however Rovers boss Barry Smith is taking absolutely nothing for granted when the sides meet again this afternoon.
Since that drubbing in August, the Methil men have won four out of six League 1 games and are now sitting in third spot, five points behind the tabletopping Kirkcaldy outfit.
Smith is fully aware East Fife will now be a very different proposition however he is more concerned with his own team.
And after last week’s below-par performance when drawing against bottom side Forfar, he is demanding that they hit the sort of high benchmark they are capable of once more.
The manager said: “It is fair to say we didn’t reach the sort of high standards we have set previously when we played Forfar.
“We probably should have seen the game out and we were denied what I thought was a stonewall penalty but we are obviously disappointed not to have come away with just a draw.
“However, we move on quickly with another tough game against East Fife.
“It is a local derby but it is still just three points at stake.
“We will look to get back to winning ways but we will only do that if we work hard and return to our usual high standards, moving the ball quickly.”
Smith added: “We beat East Fife quite convincingly the last time we met but that counts for nothing now.
“They are a different team and have won four out of six since they lost to us. But we can only take care of what we do so we have to make sure we are right at it.
“The players have been very good and have the belief to win any game but we have to approach it properly and show East Fife the proper respect.
“We have been good at home so far this season and the fans have been excellent. The players have responded to that and hopefully they will do so again.”
Iain Davidson misses the game through suspension after being sent off last week and Raith will also be without long-term injury victims Kyle Benedictus, Aaron Lennox and Kevin Cuthbert.