East Fife take on Berwick Rangers, and Bayview player/ manager Gary Naysmith is telling his players it will be OK to win the game in an ugly fashion if that is required.
Naysmith’s side have picked up only one success in their last six games, and the former Scotland internationalist reckons that one reason is that his players have still to master the art of not playing at their best and winning.
Naysmith said: “We want to go out and play well and win in every game. However, it is time for us to starting picking up points regardless of how we play. We need to grind out results in the manner that teams do against us.
“Last weekend our game against Elgin was a bit of a farce due to the wind. However, they won it 2-0. It was a game of two halves where we failed to score with the wind and failed to defend with the wind against us.
“Elgin realised that they could not play good football but they ensured that they would do enough in the game to get something. They defended better, and that allowed them to win.
“There was not much between the teams. However, they did enough to get something from the game without playing well. We have not mastered that art yet.”
With four of the five sides above the Fifers in the table not involved in league business today, Naysmith knows that a win could be pivotal in their season.
“This would be a great game to win, but Berwick will be tough opponents. They have had a couple of good results in a row and will be frustrated at the game going off last weekend, so they will see this as a chance to keep things going for them.
“However, a win would take us right to the fringes of the promotion race, and we have to ensure that we do everything we can to win.”
Kieran Macdonald was released from his contract earlier this week.
Jordan Austin is included after signing from amateur side Leven United.
Graeme MacGregor has been recalled from his loan spell at Linlithgow Rose, with Naysmith hoping to add a goalkeeper on loan before kick-off.
Berwick miss the suspended trio of Finn Graham, Jonny Fairbairn and Michael McKenna.
Allan Walker is in line for his debut after moving across from East Fife.
Manager John Coughlin said: “We have started turning this team around. However, there is a lot of work still to be done.”