East Fife boss Barry Smith is expecting a big response after his side’s 10-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end on Tuesday night.
The Methil men only had three outfield subs on the bench for the game against the Wasps but their manager insisted he would not use the fact his squad was down to the bare bones as an excuse for the 3-0 defeat.
Instead, Smith is sure that the players who have done so well for him since he took over at Bayview will return to winning ways this afternoon at home to Albion Rovers.
He said: “Alloa played really well in midweek but we made a couple of mistakes and it was always going to be difficult after we went behind.
“We only had three outfield subs because of injuries and suspension. We have a small squad but we will not be using that as an excuse.
“We brought Jesse Curran in on loan from Dundee and he did really well for us in midfield.
“I have seen him play for the Dundee Under-20s and I firmly believe he is capable of making the step up – he is very comfortable on the ball and he just needs to play games.
“The lads were really disappointed in the dressing-room after the Alloa match but they have been brilliant since I came in and I am sure we will get a response against Albion Rovers.
“We need to dust ourselves down and go again.
“This is a really tight league but we just have to keep concentrating on ourselves and get back to keeping clean sheets.”
Chris Duggan, Pat Slattery and Kevin Smith are all injury doubts for the game but Nicki Paterson returns from suspension.
