It could prove to be a pivotal game in the League 2 title race but both managers involved in today’s crunch Angus derby between Arbroath and Forfar at Gayfield were keen to stress that only three points are at stake.
The Loons are currently eight points ahead of the Red Lichties at the top of the table and a win for the visitors would be give them what many would adjudge as an unassailable lead.
However, if the home side can secure what would be their third win this season over their Angus neighbours then the gap would be cut to five with all to play for.
Veteran Arbroath boss Dick Campbell, though, is fully focused on this afternoon’s match and not the bigger picture.
He said: “We had a great win and a resounding performance at Clyde last week.
“It is always a difficult place to go to as we found the last time we were there when they beat us 5-0.
“So I was delighted to go there again and pick up a win especially as I was still angry about losing at home against Annan the week before. We were totally on top in that game and it was like the Alamo but we ended up with nothing.
“It goes without saying that we hope there is a different result in this weekend’s match at Gayfield against Forfar.
“Derbies are always important, big games but obviously with where we are in the league people will be reading a lot into this one.
“However, it is just another three points and there is still an awful lot of water to go under the bridge before anything will be decided.
“I have said since day one that nothing is settled before January, only after so they are all important games coming up.
“Ryan McCord is still suspended so the big decision I have to make is whether to bring Eddie Ferns back into the team. He needed stitches in his leg after the Annan game but he is fine now.
“I will also have the youngster Matty Smyth who has joined us on loan from Dundee in the squad. He is a big lad and can play right-back, centre midfield or centre-half.
“We had a lot of fans at our last derby against Montrose and hopefully we will have a similar big turn-out for this one.”
Meanwhile, Forfar boss Gary Bollan was also keen to play down the potentially-decisive nature of the derby.
He said: “It is just another game in terms of the same amount of points being available however I do know that there is a bit more at stake.
“That is not just because we are facing a side with title ambitions of their own but because derby games are passionate affairs.
“They are the games that players should want to play in and this one will be even more special because of the league placings.
“Both the Arbroath players and fans will be fired up because of the local nature of the contest and the chance to pull us back a bit. We need to be ready for that.”
Despite their fine season Forfar have still to win an Angus derby with their three league defeats coming at the hands of the Red Lichties, twice, and once against Montrose with points also lost in a draw against the Gable Endies.
Bollan added: “This season the league has generally been very good for us with the exception of the derby games. We have not performed in any of them to the levels that we can and it would be good to put that right.”
Former Arbroath favourite Gavin Swankie is available after a ban and new loan recruit from Ross County, Chris McLaughlin, is set to make his debut at left-back. Jim Lister has been passed fit to give Bollan a full squad to choose from.
