The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Clean sheets will help the feelgood factor: Benedictus
Kyle Benedictus has urged Raith Rovers to keep the feelgood factor going ahead of the Christmas cracker against Arbroath.
The Stark’s Park men have won their last three games, reaching the next round of the Scottish Cup and have seen key figures Kevin Nisbet and Nathan Flanagan pen new deals in recent days.
Yet they still head in to this afternoon’s trip to face Montrose a sizeable 10 points adrift of Arbroath at the top of League One.
The Kirkcaldy outfit have lost just twice in the division all season but undefeated Arbroath have only failed to win three of 15 league matches in an incredible run.
It leaves Rovers fully aware they have no room for any slip-ups of their own as they seek back-to-back victories before the pivotal encounter with the Red Lichties at Gayfield on December 22.
Benedictus said: “Training’s been good the last three or four weeks and got up to a standard we’ve been setting ourselves.
“Now, Kevin and Nathan have signed new deals, which is a bonus for the club because they’ve been two important players for us since the start of the season. Both of them hit the ground running, so it was important to get them signed up and obviously it gives the rest of the boys confidence that they’re going to be here.
“All credit to Arbroath. They’re picking up three points every week, so they’re obviously doing their jobs right.
“We just need to focus on ourselves and make sure we’re there if they slip up.
“There’s still a long way to go. We’re just into December and we know first hand from last season with ourselves and Ayr how it can change at the top.
“If we can go into the Arbroath game with two wins under our belt then I’m sure it’s going to be a good game.
“We need to focus on six points and make sure if they do slip up we’re there to capitalise.”
Raith have enjoyed back-to-back shutouts in the last two games for the first time this season, with manager John McGlynn eager to drum into his players the pride of keeping clean sheets.
Benedictus is part of a defence that he insists relishes keeping out the opposition and the former Dundee stopper is determined to rack up another zero in the against column at Links Park this afternoon.
He added: “We’ve kept clean sheets in the last two games and that’s not really happened this season. We’ve not kept enough clean sheets.
“So that’s another pleasing factor from the last two games.
“If the boys up front keep doing what they’re doing then I’m sure myself and the rest of the back four will keep trying to keep clean sheets.
“We thrive on clean sheets. Obviously, we want to win the game, that’s the most important thing, but if we can win the game, plus keep a clean sheet then that’s all the better.”