The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Honesty culture can breed new life into Pars: Crawford
DUNFERMLINE: Boss calls on his side to keep their style as they host Arbroath
Stevie Crawford insists a culture of “honesty” can breed a winning mentality at Dunfermline.
The Pars host part-time Arbroath tonight while sitting eighth in the Championship and just two points above bottom side Partick Thistle.
An inconsistent campaign continued at the weekend when they followed up a stirring 3-2 victory over title-chasing Ayr United with a first defeat in five matches in the disappointing 2-0 defeat to league leaders Dundee United.
But, while he knows results are needed, starting with tonight’s visit of Arbroath, Crawford believes positivity can flow from the standard of display he is seeking to bring out from his young side.
He said: “I want an honesty. I genuinely feel that if you look back at our performances this season, have we got the results that we wanted in every game? No, but there is an honesty in the performances.
“There was disappointment in the first half when we played Dundee United here [in August]. I didn’t have the same feeling at the weekend when I looked at that performance, albeit the result was the same outcome.
“If we can get that honesty throughout the place then I’m convinced that the team spirit and togetherness comes with that.
“Yes, it will be a tough game against Arbroath. They have won 3-1 at the weekend away to Partick.
“But if we can apply ourselves in the manner that we did against Dundee United and take the confidence from the home victory over Ayr United I am sure that we can win the game.
“We have got to take confidence into the game. The disappointment ends at the result on Saturday but the confidence has got to be there.
“Dundee United knew that they were in a game at the weekend. They are sitting top of the league and our last home performance against Ayr United was a very positive one.”
Dunfermline were one of Arbroath’s early-season scalps when the Red Lichties won 1-0 at Gayfield back in August.
Crawford believes the Gayfield outfit, who are fifth in the table, are benefiting from sticking with the players who lifted the title last season.
He added: “They come here on the back of two victories. They are sitting above us and credit to them for where they are currently sitting in the league. They have started the season well.
“I think the reality is, when you have a squad of boys together and you win a promotion, the knock-on-effect from that is a togetherness in the group.
“I don’t think Arbroath have added too many to their squad.
“Dick has kept that squad together that won promotion last year.
“He has added a few, and knowing Dick it will be what he sees as the ‘right types’, but confidence comes from that.”