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Falkirk manager Peter Houston insists his priority is to win games – not appease the fans.
A section of the Bairns fans booed Houston’s decision to take off man of the match Tom Taiwo for James Craigen after 78 minutes on Saturday when their clash with Morton, which ended 1-1, was still goal-less.
Houston said: “I thought Tom had a great game on Saturday but there becomes a time with 15 minutes to go, are you happy with a nil-nil? Or do you want to have a go?
“They wanted Mark Kerr off but if we take him off we lose discipline in there and the easiest thing for me would be to appease the fans by putting Tom into the middle and take Kerrso off.
“I always try to make a positive substitution but I understand the booing from the fans. It’s my decision and that’s why you get praised when you’re doing well and you get criticism when they think you’re not doing well.”
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Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston insists four meetings with Dundee United within three-and-a-half months supports his call for a bigger league.
The Pars face United in the Championship at Tannadice tonight before locking horns again on Saturday in the quarter-final of the Irn-Bru Cup.
Ray McKinnon’s side came out on top in the July 31 Betfred Cup group stage clash, while the September 10 encounter that the Tayside outfit won 3-1 in Fife is best remembered for visiting goalkeeper Cammy Bell making a staggering three first half penalty saves.
Johnston said: “It’s not ideal and it’s not ideal for the fans, and that’s why I’m an advocate for bigger leagues.
“I think it’s better playing more teams and there is more freshness there.
“You feel more for the fans when you’re playing against the same team. That’s maybe why some of the games are a bit stale when you’re playing the same team so often.
“Every game is different for the players but you do get to know each other inside out and it’s not ideal.”
