Raith Rovers striker Brian Graham has launched a staunch defence of manager John McGlynn in the wake of yet another defeat.
Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Ayr United at Stark’s Park saw the Kirkcaldy club sink into joint-bottom spot of the First Division, with just goal difference keeping them above basement boys Queen of the South.
Not for the first time this season, it was a hard-luck story for Rovers, with the only goal of the game coming in the 10th minute when a driven free-kick nicked off Ayr’s Eddie Malone and was then deflected into his own net by Graham.
However, while the goal had an element of misfortune about it, nobody in McGlynn’s side can have any complaints about the overall result.
Home goalkeeper David McGurn pulled off a string of saves to keep the scoreline at a respectable level.
The bare facts are that Raith have now lost their last four games and have failed to find the back of their opponents’ net in every one. And it is ironic that the only time they have managed to score it has counted against them.
So McGlynn has a lot of hard work to do with a group of players who look devoid of confidence and belief.
The manager took a fair bit of stick from sections of the support at the final whistle and fans’ web forums have been red-hot recently, with some even calling for McGlynn to go.
However, Graham stressed the need for everyone coaching staff, players and fans to keep a united front to help the club climb out of the relegation zone.
He said: ”We want to win and the fans want that as well so we just have to stay together.
”Look at what John McGlynn has done for Raith Rovers. He was manager of the year last season so why would you want to get rid of him?
”He is doing a fantastic job. It is the players’ fault as we haven’t done it in the last four games. The manager isn’t to blame and there is no way we want him to go.
”There is still a great spirit in the dressing room. We are upbeat and happy lads so we just have to keep going.”
Continued…
”You never know, we could play rubbish in the next game but win 1-0. We just need a victory it’s as simple as that.”
It may have been Ladies’ Day at Stark’s Park on Saturday but, unfortunately for Rovers, one particular fair maiden didn’t turn up Lady Luck.
Graham labelled the concession of the goal as ”terrible” and with Malone adamantly claiming it for himself, the Raith man was happy to give it to him.
”Eddie can have it,” said Graham. ”I think he nicked it but it came off my shin and went into the bottom corner.
”It was a terrible goal to lose and it is hard to take. We are working hard but we aren’t getting the wee breaks.
”We just have to keep putting the big effort in at training and it is up to ourselves to get us out of this.”
It was noticeable as the game progressed that Graham and strike partner John Baird were dropping deeper and deeper to get on the ball. And the forward admitted that was caused by frustration at their lack of recent goals.
He said: ”At the moment, we seem to have a lot of the ball but we aren’t creating much in the final third.
”We probably had more possession against Ayr but our keeper has made a lot of saves while theirs didn’t have much to do if I’m being honest. They were sitting deep so myself and John were having to go back to get on the ball at times.
”Strikers want to go on the pitch and score goals that’s our job. But that’s four games in a row where we haven’t scored, which is bitterly disappointing.
”We don’t have a match next Saturday due to the Scottish Cup so we just have to pick ourselves up for Hamilton coming here in a couple of weeks.”
McGlynn admitted the failure to find the opposition’s net is worrying.
”The lack of goals is obviously a concern,” he said. ”It is not for the want of trying but we can’t keep saying that all we need is a wee break. The longer you go (without a goal) it does become a confidence thing so you have to deal with it.”