To say the odds are stacked high against Forfar this afternoon would be something of an understatement.
The Loons travel to the home of League One table-toppers Dunfermline with up to five first-team players missing through injury.
That would be a big enough handicap but considering the Pars have already beaten Forfar twice this season by an aggregate 7-0 scoreline and the game really does look like a “Mission Impossible” for the Angus side.
However, wily Forfar boss Dick Campbell, firmly believes his players can cause an upset with his injury-hit squad bolstered by the addition of 18-year-old Scott Martin from Hibs.
The central midfielder who has made four appearances and scored one goal for the Easter Road side this season has also been capped at Under-17 and Under-19 level for Scotland with Campbell admitting he has had him in his sights for some time.
The long-serving manager said: “We are really struggling in terms of the amount of injuries we have.
“Michael Travis dislocated his knee against Ayr last Saturday and he will be out for three to four weeks.
“We will also definitely be without Michael Dunlop and Lewis Allan while Gavin Swankie, Derek Young and Kevin Nicoll are all highly doubtful.
“So we definitely do not have our troubles to seek.
“However, I have managed to bring Scott Martin in on loan from Hibs until the end of January.
“He is a talented midfielder who I have been after for over a year and I have to thank Hibs and Alan Stubbs who have been brilliant allowing him to come to Forfar.
“Dunfermline are top of the league and we will start as big underdogs going to East End Park, especially considering the amount of players we have missing.
“They are probably the best team in the league but it is still early days in the campaign. They may have 19 points on board after the first quarter but we had 21 at the same stage last season and didn’t get promoted so there is still all to play for.
“I love the sort of challenge we will face against the Pars and I honestly believe we can cause an upset and get a result there.”