Arbroath hitman Gavin Swankie believes the Lichties should have the confidence to convert their blistering start to 2011 into a championship season.
The 27-year-old sank a tasty Links Park New Year double and with Swankie urging his teammates to use the derby win as a driver to success, he has also toasted the fruitful relationship with strike partner Steven Doris.
Swankie’s brace against arch-rivals Montrose tucks him just one behind eight-goal Doris in the scoring stakes and the Gayfield favourite knows where the side’s sights should be set.
“Anyone’s target is to win the league,” said Swankie.
“We’re in a good position. so I can’t see why we can’t win it.
“We’ve had six games on the bounce without a loss so we’ll try to keep that going.”
Doris (22) has recovered superb form after fighting back from a knee injury and was rewarded with a third division player of the month award for November, to go with the manager’s one picked up by Gayfield gaffer Paul Sheerin.
“You sometimes just gel with someone quite quickly and we’ve built up quite a good understanding with each other,” said Swankie of his strike colleague.
“I feel that me and Doris do well together, but it takes a team effort to do well in this league.”
Across Angus, Forfar midfielder Paul Watson has returned to Station Park after a three-month loan spell at Montrose, during which he made eight appearances, scoring once.
“It will be good to have Paul back as it increases the competition for places,” said Loons boss Dick Campbell.