Dundee boss Gordon Chisholm is demanding his team emerge from this weekend still in title contention.
Seven points adrift of leaders Inverness, albeit with a game in hand, the Dark Blues simply have to beat Partick at Firhill tomorrow.
A win over the Jags would at least keep the promotion issue alive.
Were Inverness to lose or draw at Queen of the South it would open up the possibility of a title decider at the Caledonian Stadium on the campaign’s last day, and Chisholm is hammering home the message to his players that they must keep going.
“We cannot afford to switch off not when something could suddenly happen over the next two games,” he said.
“We have to push Inverness all the way so that if there’s a slip-up on their part we are able to cash in.
“I would hate to see them slip up and us do the same thing.”
There will be added spice to the game with Partick Thistle by virtue of the fact Partick boss Ian McCall was initially approached to take charge at Dens before the compensation being demanded for his services forced a rethink and they turned to Chisholm.
“It is going to be difficult on Saturday but we need to stay focused,” the Dark Blues boss said.
“You don’t know what might happen this weekend. A fully-fit Queen of the South are more than capable of giving Inverness a game.”
It will be this morning before the manager has a clear idea whether Gary Harkins or Eric Paton might make the match.
“Gary trained a little bit today and hopefully he’ll be OK,” said Chisholm.
“His dead leg is taking longer to clear up than we’d expected but he’s a good player and we want him.
“Eric isn’t far away but with a hamstring you have to be cautious.
“We’ll look at both of them tomorrow.”
The one certainty for Chisholm as he ponders his line-up is that top scorer Leigh Griffiths is available again following suspension.