Dunfermline and Dundee both put proud records on the line at East End Park this Saturday, and Pars midfielder Nick Phinn is determined that it won’t be the home team’s that is brought to an end.
Jim McIntyre’s men are unbeaten on their own patch this season, while Dundee can boast a six-game winning streak, as well as an unbeaten one in the first division under manager Barry Smith.
Phinn said, “The run isn’t something you look at in the first couple of months of the season but now that we’ve built it up, we want to keep it going.
“Everybody knows that if you want to win promotion from this league you have to have a strong home record.
“We know that we need to buck our ideas up away from home as well, but Dundee are up next at home so that’s all we’re concentrating on just now.”
He knows from previous experience the psychological impact a hard-fought record like their own can have on opponents.
He explained, “I can remember going to face teams like St Johnstone when they were top of the first division a couple of seasons ago and on a great run. It’s on your mind.
“Hopefully that’s something teams are thinking about when they come to our place. It’s up to us to make that count.”
The last time the Pars played in front of their own fans, they produced one of their best performances of the season a 5-0 rout of Cowdenbeath.
What followed, however, was a defeat to Raith Rovers and a draw in the Scottish Cup at Montrose.
Phinn observed, “It was disappointing not to go through on the day against Montrose, but they gave a good account of themselves.Blazing”In the second half we came out all guns blazing and got ourselves in front. Unfortunately we weren’t able to hold on.
“You never want to lose a derby so the Raith defeat was a really hard one to take.
“But we’ll be drawing upon the way we played against Cowdenbeath, when we created a lot of chances and took a lot of them.”
McIntyre said, “Dundee are in great form but we’re the home team and we’ll be determined to take the game to them.”
He expects to have the same squad to choose from as at Montrose.
The focus at Dundee will now turn to today’s trip to East End Park following yesterday’s rejection of their points appeal.
Manager Barry Smith will play a trialist in the game and will also have Nicky Riley available after injury.
The Dark Blues will have to bounce back following their heavy home defeat to Motherwell in the Scottish Cup last Sunday but defender Matt Lockwood is confident they can.
“We know we are better than we showed on that day,” said Lockwood.
“The table shows that Dunfermline have been the best team in the league so far so we are up against it.
“But apart from Sunday our form has been great recently and I think we have gained 10 points on Dunfermline in the last wee while.
“Of course, that is irrelevant now with the deduction we have been hit with but the one thing they can’t take away from us is our form.”