Arfield- Bairns can avoid the drop

Last updated : 23 April 2010 By Team Talk

Arfield was in the Bairns team that was heading for the First Division with 20 minutes left of last term before Michael Higdon's goal at Inverness sent the Highlanders down.

Like last season, Falkirk have been at the bottom of the SPL for much of the current campaign. Apart from one week in February, Falkirk have been holding up the league since September.

But, with relegation rivals St Mirren and Kilmarnock playing each other in Paisley, Steven Pressley's team will climb off the basement tomorrow if they beat Hamilton at home.

And Arfield expressed the belief within the squad that they can stay off the bottom.

"I think we have got a better team and a better team spirit this year than we did last year," the 21-year-old said.

"The boys are all sticking together, the manager has come in just at the right time and he has given us the belief to go and play.

"We don't have any fear of losing and if we lose the ball, we're trying to do it in a positive way. I think that's the biggest difference.

"I think we were all confident last year as well but you need to put yourself in the present team and the present moment and I don't think we have any doubts that we're going to go down.

"Obviously there is a chance, but if you are talking about self-belief, I don't think we are going to go down."

Higdon is now trying to keep St Mirren in the top flight but the likes of Darren Barr and Tam Scobbie have all proven they have the strength of character to come through a relegation battle.

"It was the same last year, the st five games it was all about what was in the head," Arfield said.

"It was a winning mentality that we needed. I think we won three out of the five games and the last one at Inverness was a massive test physically and mentally and we came through it strongly.

"We have been through it and we know what it's like."

Victory against in-form Accies would leave Falkirk's destiny in their own hands and they have consecutive home matches against St Mirren and St Johnstone to follow.

"There are advantages and disadvantages of the split but we have three home games and we're looking to take nine points," Arfield added.

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk