The manager has said repeatedly it's all-important in pre-season to have the right blend for the opening game.

That occasion falls on Saturday with the launch of the 2008-09 league campaign and the Fifers' sights very much on winning the Division Two title.

But this weekend's test could scarcely be more formidable – opponents Peterhead have scored 20 goals in pre-season, for the loss of none.

Manager Dave Baikie has just one more game – a 7.30pm friendly tonight (Wednesday) away to his old junior club Tayport – to decide if everything is right.

He said he was happy with levels of match fitness although better sharpness was needed, while a few personnel changes have also occurred, with players either departing or going on loan.

But, tough as the Peterhead assignment will be, East Fife's players are full of confidence and eager to make a bright start after the glory of a championship-winning season, said Baikie.

An improvement on the Brechin outing would be needed but everyone knew the importance of a good beginning to the first quarter of the campaign.
He felt better displays should come once players like Stevie Crawford and Paul Nugent settled in, after their first competitive starts in the Challenge Cup.

Peterhead battered Montrose 6-0 in the competition on Saturday, having beaten Aberdeen 4-0 and notched a couple of 5-0 victories in their pre-season build-up, so Baikie knows this weekend will be "a big ask".

"But we are at home and, on Saturday, we put in a performance at Brechin that brought us victory, so that has to give us confidence," he said.

"We we were playing against a side that's been together quite a number of years now and is an established Division Two team. For me, they're on their way up – I'd put them definitely in the top half of the table and certainly pushing for a play-off place."



Graham Guy has left Bayview to join Berwick Rangers, after Baikie agreed to his request for a "fresh break", while Ryan Blackadder has gone on loan to Kelty and youngster Jordyn Sheerin, who figured in a couple of pre-season games, in on loan with Arniston Rangers.

Both could be recalled at any time and Baikie said he'd prepared to consider more loan arrangements if possible.

With the squad hovering around the two dozen mark, there would be a greater number of players not starting games and some may feel they'd be better going on loan or moving on, he added.

But Baikie stressed: "I am not in the process of pushing anybody out the door", adding the side needed to keep a decent number of players.
The second-round draw for the Challenge Cup is being made this afternoon (Wednesday).