The weight of expectation will bear down heavily on Dundee against Cowdenbeath, according to defender Matt Lockwood.
Having safely negotiated two matches against promotion hopefuls Falkirk and Dunfermline, taking their unbeaten league run to 22 matches, the Dark Blues are firm favourites to take care of Cowdenbeath at Dens Park on Saturday afternoon.
A win over the Fifers would all but secure Dundee’s first division status for another season but Lockwood insists it won’t be easy.
He said, “This is probably an even harder game than Dunfermline in midweek or Falkirk last weekend because everyone expects us to win.
“The supporters will come with the expectation that we will get the three points.
“Therefore, straight away the pressure is on and we will have to deal with that from the first whistle.”
He added, “Against Falkirk and Dunfermline, we were not expected to get positive results (two draws), especially with us being so short of bodies against two teams who are challenging for the title.
“But we did, which means the onus is on us again to carry on this fine run with a win.”
Dundee are looking to extend their run but Lockwood acknowledges that with every week that goes by the desire among other clubs to bring them back down to earth grows.’Fantastic spirit’He said, “Everyone is speaking about this fabulous record of ours and, to be honest, every team wants to be the one to bring it to an end.
“We are still in the relegation zone. We should not be but we are because of things that have gone against us.
“That means there is still a lot of work to do.
Dundee could field striker Jake Hyde as a trialist again after he signed for Lochee United in order to overcome the cross-border transfer rules.
The 20-year-old scored the equaliser against the Pars and Lockwood believes he will be a valuable addition.
“Jake is a young lad but he is a good player,” said Lockwood.
“He has a decent touch, can hold the ball up and poses a goal threat.”
He added, “We are down to the bare bones because of injuries but the one thing we do have is a fantastic spirit throughout the team.”Blue Brazil’s bare bonesThe Dens men have doubts over midfielder Stephen O’Donnell and defender Rhys Weston.
That is nothing to Cowden’s woes, however.
They have five key players out and three others very doubtful.
However, boss Jimmy Nicholl is remaining upbeat about his depleted side’s chances of causing a major shock by getting at least a point from the game.
The Central Park gaffer has been delighted with his team’s recent performances and, despite his huge injury list, he said the great spirit and determination in his squad gave him the confidence to believe that they could upset the odds.
“We have played them three times and beaten them once and we can point to circumstances which led to our two defeats,” said Nicholl.
“We were the last team to beat Dundee in the league and, while I take my hat off to Barry Smith and his squad, we have turned the corner in our last six games.
“We have five players out and I am not optimistic about the other three, who are doubtful, but I already have the team picked and I am happy with it because the players who are out on the park will be putting the maximum into the game.”
The long Cowden casualty list will see them without a recognised central defender, with Joe Mbu, John Armstrong and Bob Malcolm sidelined.
But Nicholl is happy with the two players who will, once again, be filling in at the heart of their defence experienced midfielder Craig Winter and left-back Kenny Adamson.
Strikers Archie Campbell (hamstring) and John Dempster (knee) will also miss out, while midfielders Colin Cameron, Lee Makel and Kyle Miller will all be getting late fitness tests on their respective groin, ankle and back problems.