SCOTT ARFIELD says Falkirk's poison-pen brigade have "short memories" as he hit out at attempts to have manager John Hughes sacked.

The midfielder is a staunch disciple of Hughes, having been promoted to the first team from the club's youth system.

And he cannot understand those members of the fans' group the Bairns Trust who wrote an open letter to chairman Campbell Christie last week demanding Hughes' removal.

Arfield accepts fans have the right to complain about the club's current plight - they are four points adrift at the foot of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League - but he feels they have forgotten they have rarely enjoyed a more prosperous period than the six years under Hughes' stewardship.

During this time the club gained promotion and become an established SPL side.

"The fans have short memories," said Arfield. "The letter the gaffer got was bad timing.

"We're in this together. We need the fans behind us, although they've got a lot to moan at with the performances."

Arfield, who broke into the first team almost three years ago, had enjoyed a charmed start to his professional career.

But the Scotland Under-21 international believes his current travails will improve him as a player.

Asked what he had learned about himself this season, he said: "A lot. It was easier last season and this has been a different experience."

Falkirk play Dunfermline in a Cup semi-final on Sunday, and Pars keeper Paul Gallacher is relishing the prospect of playing at Hampden. He said: "It's great going there, and I only hope we will get the right result."