Michael Paton has backed manager Allan Johnston to steer Dunfermline away from trouble and up the Championship table.
Paton is in his second spell working under Johnston and assistant Sandy Clark, having been part of the Queen of the South side that won the Second Division in 2013.
Three years ago, Johnston left Queens after winning promotion to join Kilmarnock, but Paton is convinced that the former Hearts and Kilmarnock winger can spark a revival at Dunfermline.
He said: “There’s no doubt in my mind we’ve got the management team to turn things around.
“I know what the manager and Sandy bring. They bring team spirit, they bring togetherness and the quality of player they’ve brought in has been brilliant.
“I’ve played in this league before and two or three wins will get you back in contention at the other end of the table.
“We can’t keep just saying that, but we believe in ourselves and we’re not worried. I’m more than confident in the squad we’ve got. We’ve definitely got the quality to remain in this league and make a mark on it as well.”
Dunfermline have won just one of their previous nine league games and after last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat to Hibs a number of boos could be heard from the Pars support.
The former Aberdeen striker added: “Nobody’s more disappointed about where we are than the players and the staff.
“But it’s us that need to do it on a Saturday and we have to keep working hard towards turning it around.
“It’s just up to us to make sure we put things right on a Saturday.”
One of Dunfermline’s two league wins of the season came against today’s opponents, way back on the opening weekend of the Championship campaign.
He said: “It’s very difficult down at Dumbarton. I’ve been there many times and it’s a hard place to go and get a positive result.
“But no matter who the manager picks as a front six we’ve got the players to go and create and score goals.”
