There may be 39 points and the length of the League One table separating Forfar from rock bottom Stirling Albion but Station Park boss Dick Campbell insists his players will not fall into the trap of believing this afternoon’s meeting between the sides is a foregone conclusion.
The Loons are still very much in the hunt in the championship chase, sitting third just behind Morton on goal difference and one point off leaders Stranraer.
They kept the pressure on Stephen Aitken’s top-of-the-table side by securing the bragging rights in last week’s Angus derby, beating Brechin 3-2 at the Glebe.
Now, Campbell and his squad of “Dad’s Army” veterans and pacy youngsters will look to make it three wins on the bounce against Stirling as the League One campaign edges towards its exciting conclusion.
The manager said: “We have beaten Stranraer and Brechin in the last two weeks and spirits are high amongst the lads.
“It was a great result for us at the Glebe last Saturday and it was good to see the Dad’s Army of Derek Young, Chris Templeman and Darren Dods getting the goals.
“Hopefully, with the likes of them and Rab Douglas, Stuart Malcolm and Gavin Swankie in the squad, their experience will stand us in good stead with just six games of the normal season left.
“Having said that, we also have a lot of pace in our team thanks to the likes of Danny Denholm, Omar Kader and Dale Hilson.
“However, I get the feeling that the older lads really want it this season.
“We are looking forward to our game against Stirling Albion and our main rivals also have difficult matches Brechin are at Ayr, Morton are at Dunfermline while Stranraer have to go to Peterhead.
“There is though absolutely no chance of us getting carried away.
“People may look at where we are and where Stirling are and say we are certainties to win but I will be making sure our players do not fall into that trap we will be giving them every respect.
“We have Michael Travis and Malcolm out through suspension but Michael Dunlop returns from injury and I named my team on Thursday night.”