East Fife boss Gary Naysmith has targeted League One survival as the club’s main aim this season and hopes to be given enough time to ensure they can do just that.
The 35-year-old former Hearts and Everton defender was unveiled as the permanent boss at Bayview just over a week ago and was handed an 18-month deal to take the hotseat in Methil.
Naysmith has confirmed that the length of contract he was offered turned out to be an important factor in his decision to take the job, and the new Fifers boss is determined to make his own mark on the team over the coming weeks and months.
“I think the biggest aim is to stay in the league,” he said.
“That’s our first aim and that was why it was important for me that I was given a slightly longer deal than most of the previous managers have had.
“I think it’s important that the club shows a bit of stability now than in previous years.
“I’ve got to try and put a stamp on this group of players, but I’ve also got to try and bring in my own players in time.
“This isn’t my team, this is a team I’ve inherited and they are a great group of lads, but like any manager there will be one or two additions I would like to make, so I think it was important that I got a slightly longer deal.”
“So I’m grateful to the club for agreeing to that request.”
Naysmith has settled into the manager’s role at Bayview well, although his first official game in charge at the weekend ended in a 3-1 defeat at home to Brechin.
That was after back-to-back wins as caretaker manager, and the former Scotland defender admits his playing career has been put on hold for the time being as he aims to help the Fifers move up the table.
“In the short-term I see myself more of a dugout manager,” he said.
“It’s something I’ve not decided one way or another yet but in the short-term I won’t be playing.
“I am registered until the end of the season as a player and I think that is beneficial to the club because you never know what could happen with suspensions and things.
“I’ve been that focused on trying to get the team right and working away, and the lads have been so fantastic I don’t think it would be right for me to pick myself,” he added.