CONFIDENCE is the key to turning East Fife's ailing fortunes around, insist manager Dave Baikie.
The Bayview boss will work hard this week having one-to-one talks with his players to gee them up for Saturday's encounter with Albion Rovers.
His side haven't won a game in eight outings and have now fallen to fourth, having been top for much of the campaign.
Baikie said: "We cannot dwell on what has happened and I will be working on speaking to each of the players to get their confidence up and building a strong group mentality.
"We are in a position now where confidence has been dented and we seem to be losing goals at key moments in a game.
"We need to have maximum concentration to get over these hurdles.
"We have to get the mentality correct. We have a lot of good players and this problem has crept up on them.
"It just needs one result to take the weight off. That's what we are striving to do."
Despite now being 10 points behind Berwick, Baikie is still aiming for the title.
He said: "Every manager's aim is to win the title and if that isn't the case, then something's wrong.
"We were a long way clear of Berwick just a few weeks ago. They are now 10 clear of us but there are still 10 weeks of the season left, so there is still time."
The Methil manager also explained the system he used on Saturday with Neil Jablonski playing as a striker.
He said: "Only Jablonski played in an unfamiliar role but he played up front against Dumbarton and has played there for Raith Rovers.
"We put Walker on the right and Stevie Nicholas just behind Jablonski, which is his best position.
"We went with Kevin Gordon on the left to exploit Jamie Bishop who is a left-footer playing in the right of central defence."
Baikie hopes the turnaround will begin with the visit to Rovers on Saturday.
He said: "It's another opportunity to go and get three points. We have a lot of quality at the club.
"But they are a dangerous side who are still in the mix for a play-off spot."
Gary Kelly has resumed training and could be in contention, while keeper John Dodds has also recovered from injury and could replace the error-prone Iain Ross.
But Jamie McGowan and Jason Dair remain injured and there are also doubts over Tom Courts, who has a thigh strain, and Jonathan Smart, with a neck injury.
Neil Jablonski is suspended after his sending off on Saturday.
Meanwhile, East Fife Supporters Club will be running a bus to Coatbridge on Saturday for the Albion Rovers game.
Further details are available by telephoning 01333 351486.
21 February 2007

Despite now being 10 points behind Berwick, Baikie is still aiming for the title.
He said: "Every manager's aim is to win the title and if that isn't the case, then something's wrong.
"We were a long way clear of Berwick just a few weeks ago. They are now 10 clear of us but there are still 10 weeks of the season left, so there is still time."

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

"Baikie will talk to every player individually" That,ll be a first. TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

We would have to win our remaining fixtures to have any chance and that ain`t gonna happen.
Play off spot is the very best we can hope for and even that is extremely doubtful given our recent form.

Failure to achieve anything this season will be the biggest disappointment I personally have felt in over 30 years as a supporter.

Instead of trying to tell the manager his job, why don't you all concentrate on your jobs as supporters?

SUPPORT THE TEAM!

Try doing it for 90 minutes, it's no' that long a time really. See if it's possible to not slag a player off for just one game. It's worth a try, cos all the slagging hasn't helped noo has it?

EF fans need some way to channel their passion, since DOWN WITH BROWN ended, there's been nothing.

I think it's time for someone to come up with a few ideas.

I'll start.....ticker tape.

EFFC fans need their team to win a game and a reason to go along and watch the football without patronising, pointless match summaries from the manager and fellow do-gooder fans.

What East Fife need are a pair of 6ft blonde Sweedish strikers with jordan style bangers. The girls can get stuck right in about the 3rd Divisons Keepers. That is as long as they glove up before the match. This will get the crowd going !! and will probably result in East Fife ending up on top. Once this is achieved there will be no doubt that Baikie can be sure that he will see the champions flag being raised to the top of his pole at the end of the season. I'm sure it can be laundered if stained in the process.