Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre insists he is loving the challenge of trying to lead the SPL newcomers away from relegation trouble.
The Pars go into Saturday’s bottom-of-the-table clash against Inverness with just a point separating themselves and the basement side.
And that’s the number of points Dunfermline have taken from their last six outings. They’ve endured a barren run of form that has undone all their work from their start to the season, which included wins at both St Johnstone and Dundee United.
McIntyre knows the supporters are looking for him to mastermind an upturn in the team’s fortunes and he is relishing that responsibility.
He said: ”You learn more about yourself in adversity than if you were just bouncing along winning games and everything is nice and easy.
”These are the times when you’re tested and I’ve had a couple of these in the First Division when I was a manager.
”During our second year down there, the fans had a few grumbles following a run of results.
”Any manager feels pressure when things are not going well but it’s how you react to it. That’s why you’re in the job and love what we do, and I’m no different.
”I love it. You couldn’t get a better job than being a footballer and it’s the next best thing. If you can’t handle it, you’re in the wrong job.”
The Pars supporters have realised the step up in class from the First Division and are sticking by their team during this sticky patch.
McIntyre thanked them for their patience and is confident he will turn things around.
He added: ”I think the fans are well aware of where we are as a club. There are still expectation levels and they come from myself and the players.
”But when you’re in a higher league the fans are a bit more patient, and so they should be because it has taken us a long time to get here and a lot of work has gone in to get us here.
”We have to recognise where we are as a club and what we’ve got compared to others. You have to put things into perspective and I said after the start we made ‘let’s not get carried away because there will be some darker times ahead.’
”At the same time, no-one is downbeat here and we’re not detached from anyone. We’re one win away from jumping three or four places.”