'It's about what's right for the team' - Barry Robson searching for perfect balance at Raith Rovers
The Kirkcaldy outfit opened the Championship campaign with an underwhelming 1-1 draw at home to Queen's Park last weekend.
They now face the daunting task of an away trip to face Ayr United, a team Robson believes are one of three favourites for the title along with Ross County and St Johnstone.
After failing to progress from the Premier Sports Cup groups, largely because of a shock defeat to SPFL newcomers East Kilbride, Raith have not yet hit their stride so far this season.
However, with some fans questioning team selection and tactics, Robson knows he has to stick to his guns.
'I think we're still searching for that perfect balance, if you ever get there,' Robson told Courier Sport. 'But we've been terrific with our work ethic, and our structure has been very good.
'We just have to tidy up on both ends of the pitch and every team's like that.
'For me, we're just trying to get it all to fit into place, because performance-wise it's been good; I don't think anybody can argue with that.
'When you watch us as a team, everybody sees we look good, we're a good side.
'But there's a difference between a good side and a ruthless side, and that's where we need to get to next.
'It's about trying to keep the clean sheets as much as we can and scoring the goals.'
One particular question amongst some supporters is the blend in midfield and the potential for Shaun Byrne to add something different.
'If you're not winning, everybody's always going to want something different,' responded Robson. 'That's natural in life, isn't it? We can all be like that.
'But there's lots of different things and caveats to football. And, for me, you can say this about a player and then if that player comes in and doesn't perform, then why did you put him in?
'So, you learn very quickly as a manager that you're never going to please everyone.
'There can be talk about what players should play where. But, for me, it's about what's right for the team and I work with them every day closely and hopefully we can pick the right team.
'We know what we are, everybody sees what we are. It's just that finishing touch in front of goal.
'We're not a team that's scrambling about, throwing in eight or nine different players.
'We know what we are, we know what we want to be and we just need to get that next bit.'
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