Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies has declared himself content with the start his side have made this term although he admits there is a long way to go before anyone starts talking about a swift return to the SPL.
Despite pre-season fears about how the club might handle relegation, the Pars have had a solid beginning to their league campaign, having won six, drawn twice and lost once in the first quarter of the season.
If they can repeat that sort of form in each of the next three quarters, Jefferies knows his team will be there or thereabouts when the silverware is handed out.
The Pars boss added, however: ”It’s easier said than done and there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge injuries, suspensions, wee dips in form, tough conditions.
”We’ve just got to adapt and make sure that we deal with all these wee things that are going to face us.
”That’s why it’s great when you look at our bench and we’ve had people like Thommo (Ryan Thomson), who probably would have been in the side.
”He’s been very patient on the bench, he got a couple of goals in the opening game of the season, but he appreciated how well the team is playing,
”He is ready to go in whenever the occasion arises, as is Craig Dargo, who is fit and doing well with the U21s, and the likes of John Potter and Andy Kirk.
”I’ve got a cracking couple of youngsters, like Shaun Byrne, who will be pushing for a place and they will all be fresh when the time comes to maybe change it.
”Through experience, I know there comes a time for all teams when you lose a wee bit of a spark and the secret is to know when to just change it.
”Right now there’s no need to, I don’t think, because it’s early in the season and everybody’s confidence is up but the players have got to play well because these players I’ve mentioned are all waiting in the wings for an opportunity and they are all buzzing in training as well.”
Among the players in that category is midfielder Chris Kane, who is nearing a possible return to action.
”He’s maybe a couple of weeks away but we’ve got a free weekend coming up again soon, so I think after that he’ll be champing at the bit to be involved,” Jefferies added.