Dundee United goal hero Peter Pawlett believes it is game on in the title race but feels they must win all their remaining games.
The Tangerines have crept up menacingly on Championship leaders Ross County, with the gap now down to just two points following the 1-0 win over Dunfermline on Tuesday night.
Pawlett grabbed the wonderful winning goal at East End Park to make it three victories in a row for Robbie Neilson’s men and hopes the result has given County the jitters.
However, he believes it might take a 100% run-in from United, including the Dingwall showdown a week on Friday, in order to finish up as champions.
Pawlett, when asked if the Staggies will be getting worried, replied: “Will they be getting nervous? I hope so.
“We want to win this league and, even if they have two games in hand, we still have to play them.
“Hopefully, they are getting nervous and we can clinch the title.
“They don’t just get awarded those points from the two games in hand – they have to battle and scrap.
“All the while they might be thinking: ‘Dundee United are two points behind and are on our case.’
“Listen, Ross County are a good side but when that pressure is on it is always difficult.
“We played County last week and the gap was eight points and we knew that they wouldn’t play again in the league before our two games.
“So the target for us was two victories (over Alloa and the Pars) and we have achieved that.
“It is now down to two points and we need to get another win against Queen of the South on Saturday and see where we are after that.
“We do need to keep winning.
“There are six games left and we probably need to win them all.
“Long may this run continue because we can’t afford to slip up.”
Pawlett, unsurprisingly, feels that the momentum is now with his team.
“We know what we are capable of as a team,” he said.
“There is a great bond here, the new lads have settled in really well and we want to be in the Premiership.
“We have not been at our best at times but have battled hard and picked up points because at this stage of the season it’s all about winning.
“On Tuesday, though, we played some really good stuff and it felt good out on the pitch.
“We expect to win every game – we put that demand on ourselves – and although Dunfermline were on a really good run we wanted to go there and stamp our authority on the game.
“We can beat anyone on our day and that is the attitude and confidence we need to have if we want to do something at the end of this season.
“Everyone in that dressing room believes.”
Pawlett’s strike was fit to win any game but he wasn’t getting too excited about it.
He said: “It was an all right goal.
“I just slipped it under the goalie – not bad.
“I can’t remember too much about it, to be honest.
“Pavings (Pavol Safranko) just flicked it on and my first touch was forward and it just sort of opened up for me.
“Thankfully, I managed to finish it.”
Like United, Pawlett seems to be coming good at the right time.
He certainly impressed in the central role just behind Safranko.
Pawlett added: “I broke my foot at the start of the season at MK Dons so was out for four months.
“That was a frustrating time for me.
“I like playing in that central role as I feel I can affect the game more there and I’m feeling sharp.
“Slowly but surely, I am getting to where I want to be.
“I am enjoying my football and everything else will take care of itself.
“That is the way every single player thinks.
“You’ve got to work hard but if you are enjoying your football then that confidence shines through and you can express yourself.”
United’s remaining matches are: Queen of the South (h), Ross County (a), Ayr United (h), Inverness CT (a), Falkirk (h) and Greenock Morton (a).
The Staggies’ games are: Alloa (a), Inverness (a), United (h), Dunfermline (h), Partick Thistle (h), Ayr (a), Queen of the South (h), Falkirk (a).
