Dylan Easton may have been the standout in Raith Rovers’ win over Hamilton Accies on Saturday – but a closer look reveals another contender.
There was a lot to like about the performance at the Fountain of Youth Stadium – not least the first clean sheet for the new centre-back pairing.
Rovers also kept the ball well at times and coped with a first-half injury to captain Scott Brown.
They sit top of the table for average possession in the Scottish Championship so far, with this coming Saturday’s opponent Partick Thistle in second.
On top of that Raith have attempted and completed more passes than any other side in the division, are the most accurate crossers and have had the second most touches in the opposition box.
Ian Murray’s men have only scored four league goals so far – one more than bottom-of-the-table Arbroath – but boast the second best defensive record.
Two weeks ago Courier Sport argued that there were positive signs for Raith despite two defeats to start the campaign.
Gullan involved in all goals so far
One player who has been involved in all four goals so far is Jamie Gullan.
The former Hibs striker started the move that put the game beyond Accies at the weekend – winning the ball in his own half before finishing it.
Gullan’s goal:
His contribution for Raith’s opener was more subtle.
Gullan may not have touched the ball in the build-up but by challenging Accies left-back Matthew Shiels he made sure the defender didn’t get as much on it as he’d have liked.
The ball was then worked to Easton who finished after a bursting dribble into the box.
Easton’s goal:
The week before versus Morton the 23-year-old set up Aidan Connolly after collecting a knock-down and dribbling into the penalty area.
Connolly’s goal:
For the opener in that match Gullan collected the ball in the right channel after harrying a Morton defender, again outside the box.
He then linked with teammates to work a cross for Liam Dick’s header.
Dick’s goal:
Manager’s instructions
Gullan’s contribution to Rovers’ goals evidences the facilitator role he plays – dropping deep to link with teammates before heading for the box.
In fact, despite often being the focal point of the formation – a 4-1-3-2 or 4-3-3 – both Easton and Ethan Ross have had more touches in the opposition box than Gullan.
This is not something the Raith manager instructs him to do, as he explained to Courier Sport.
“The two things I ask him to do are: go and make sure the centre-halves know they’ve been in a game and don’t worry about scoring goals,” said Murray.
“If he’s got the work rate and he’s going to chase things down, we’ve got players around him who can score goals.
“We keep saying to him the goals will come. You get your rewards through hard work.
“It’s not always going to fall for him but as long as he runs the channels, he tries to win his headers, then I’m pleased.”
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