Forfar caretaker boss Stewart Petrie admits there was a palpable sense of shock at training this week after the club parted company with long-serving manager Dick Campbell last Saturday.
Petrie will be in temporary charge of the side, assisted by youth coach Barry Sellars, when the Loons travel to face Albion Rovers this afternoon with the Angus club sitting just three points above the relegation play-off spot.
The 45-year-old candidly admits a win at Cliftonhill would not do his own chances of becoming the next permanent Forfar manager any harm.
However, Petrie insists that his personal ambitions will take a back seat as he fully focuses on securing points against Darren Young’s team.
He said: “First and foremost no-one should underestimate what Dick did for the football club especially considering where they were when he first took over at the bottom of the old Third Division.
“Whoever does get the job does so in a fantastic position thanks to him.
“He is a great personal friend of mine and he brought me to Forfar so I owe him a lot.
“I am sure he will be back in football sooner rather than later but what happened was a shock to all of us at the club and it was definitely a subdued training session we had on Tuesday night.
“We picked things up on Thursday and there is probably a feeling among all of us that we could have done more for Dick in recent weeks.
Petrie added: “So we now have to put it right on the pitch. We have probably been a bit unlucky not to have picked up wins in the last couple of games but we know it will be difficult against Albion Rovers.
“Darren Young has done a fantastic job there and has a lot of experienced players such as Andy Barrowman and John Gemmell.
“But I honestly believe anyone in this league is capable of beating anyone on their day hopefully it will be ours.
“Obviously, a win would not do my own chances of getting the manager’s job on a permanent basis any harm.
“The board have asked me and Barry to take care of this game and they are considering all their options.
“Forfar is where I started my career and will always have a place in my heart.
“However, what will be will be and my full focus at the moment is on making sure we pick up points.”