Cowdenbeath manager Jimmy Nicholl has challenged his players to build a new unbeaten home run, starting against neighbours Raith Rovers today.
The Blue Brazil meekly gave up a seven-month long stretch of not tasting defeat at Central Park last weekend when they went down 3-0 to Alloa, and Nicholl is looking for his men to turn their ground into a fortress once more.
The one-time Kirkcaldy boss said: “I want us to build another long run of games without losing at Central Park.
“It will be difficult with the teams in the Championship this season but we have to ensure teams do not fancy coming here again.
“I had a go after the game last Saturday, however I found it a long time between that game and the next one (on Tuesday against Falkirk in the League Cup). To be fair to the boys they went out and played a lot better and we were unlucky to go out on penalties.
“I was looking for a reaction and I got one and hopefully that game marks the start of us being a side that is hard to beat again.”
As for facing Raith, Nicholl said: “The two clubs have had disappointing results recently and I am sure that like me Grant Murray does not want to be heading into the international break with another defeat.
“If we go out and play like we did at Falkirk then we can win.”
Goalkeeper Thomas Flynn, skipper John Armstrong and Kenny Adamson will be given until the last minute to prove their fitness, however Craig Sutherland and Sammy Stewart have already been ruled out with injuries.
On-loan Dundee United striker Kudus Oyenuga looks set to keep his starting place. However, he may have a different role, with Nicholl adding: “Kudus was excellent on the left-hand side of our attack but I know he is actually more of a centre forward.
“He has given me plenty to think about.”
Raith boss Grant Murray is looking forward to another exciting Fife derby.
He said: “This time last year we came back from Cowdenbeath with a 4-3 win in a game that had everything, with great goals, penalties and sendings-off.
“The games tended to be that way throughout the rest of the season and I am looking forward to seeing what this brings.
“Hopefully it will just be as exciting as last season’s games but we come away with the three points.”
Murray’s men travel to Central Park on the back of two successive 4-0 defeats, from Hearts and then Dundee, but the Stark’s Park boss found positives.
“They were a couple of sore defeats and the scorelines do not look great,” said Murray. “However we know where we made mistakes at key times and that means we can fix things.
“Hearts are flying just now and Dundee are doing well in the Premiership so we need to take it on the chin and move on.
“Our performance up at Dundee was a lot better than the one against Hearts and if we play like that again we will start putting things right against Cowdenbeath.”
Raith have Calum Elliot set to return and Christian Nade pencilled in for a pre-match fitness test on an injured hamstring.