Punters looking for a Scottish Cup upset this weekend might well have their eye on Palmerston today as holders St Johnstone face a tricky trip to play Queen of the South.
But Saints boss Tommy Wright reckons the fact people are looking at this game perhaps expecting a surprise will play right into his team’s hands.
“I think that keeps you focused,” he stressed.
“I think last year when we went to Raith after their great result against Hibs, going to Stark’s Park I think people would have expected that to be a banana skin for us.
“Even playing Forfar last year, people were saying it.
“We were playing on a plastic pitch, they were difficult to beat and I think they had already beaten Rangers in one of the cups up there before they played us.
“But we came through it.
“People looking at games and expecting shocks is football, but it’s a nice reminder to the dressing room that this isn’t going to be an easy game.”
Saints will still be fancied to continue their defence of the trophy they won in May by beating their hosts from the Championship this afternoon, and Wright reckons that his men proved last season that they can handle the favourites’ tag very well.
“If you look at the cup games last year, we played Hamilton and Morton in the League Cup and we were expected to win,” he continued.
“Livingston, Forfar, Raith away were all difficult ties in the Scottish Cup, but we were always favourites.
“When you play a team from the league below you the expectation level is that you should win.
“We know that shocks happen and we’ve got to be right on the day or you’ll end up out of the cup, so we’ll be going there as if we’re playing the best team in the country.”
Saints will head to Dumfries with almost a clean bill of health, with the likes of James McFadden and Dave Mackay available after niggling injuries.
Midfielder Chris Miller could also come into contention after returning to training this week, although Wright will assess his condition prior to the game, while new signing Danny Swanson who joined from Coventry City on loan on deadline day will also come into the manager’s thoughts.
The only absentee for the Perth side today should therefore be Lee Croft, who is due to serve the second game of his suspension.