Cowdenbeath may have taken only one point from their last six league games including a 5-0 hammering from Dunfermline but the respect in which their manager Jimmy Nicholl is held will ensure there will be complacency from the Pars at Central Park.
Midfielder Gary Mason, who worked with the then assistant boss and manager Jimmy Calderwood during his previous stint at East End Park, stressed that he and his colleagues won’t be lulled into a false sense of security by the Blue Brazil’s recent struggles.
And he highlighted the early-season encounter with Cowden, which Dunfermline just edged 2-1, as the reason why that will be the case.
“We got a good win over them recently but I remember that first game when they gave us a really tough time,” said Mason.
“Jimmy had them playing really well at that time and I think what has happened since is that their season has been a bit stop-start with all the postponements.
“I know Jimmy really well and enjoyed some good times working with him and Jimmy Calderwood. He is a great lad and since going to Cowdenbeath he seems to have instilled a good spirit in the squad.
“So it will be a hard game for us not easy at all. It will be a battle and we have to match them for graft. There is the derby element as well, and their lads will be desperate to beat us.”
The Pars have had to recover from the desperate disappointment at Pittodrie last Sunday, when they went out of the Scottish Cup to Aberdeen due to an injury-time own goal from Neil McGregor.
“Everyone who was there saw just how much we put into the game and it was heartbreaking to lose it like we did a real sickener,” said Mason.
“This week in training, though, we have been determined to get playing again. We matched a really good SPL side for 90 minutes and that needs to be a positive.
“We are in a position where we are challenging for the championship and promotion would mean everything to the club.”
Former SaintPars boss Jim McIntyre has another midfield option after securing the signature of former St Johnstone man Martin Hardie.
Hardie said, “I think Jim has tried to sign me twice before from St Johnstone. Jim has always liked me as a player when we played against each other. He knows what I can bring to the table.
“It was pretty much a case of coming in to see how my fitness was and every day I have trained as I have always trained Jim has been happy with that.
“I’ve won this league twice before, with Partick and Saints, and I would like to make it a hat-trick.”
Meanwhile, Cowden are back at home for the first time in 14 weeks-and they could not have picked a more attractive match than with near neighbours.
It should be the biggest crowd of the season and the hosts will also be unveiling their new £50,000 upgraded floodlights.
Nicholl is hoping that getting 90 minutes under their belts last weekend in the draw at Ross County only their second game this year will have greatly helped his squad.
“I am just glad we are going into the match with a bit of confidence after last week’s result,” he said.
“We know how big a task it is but the confidence factor and the fact that we will have our three new signings (Stevie Crawford, Archie Campbell and midfielder Lee Makel), who were not involved in the last match against Dunfermline, will help us.
“Lee, Stevie and Archie, who all played their part against County, will get even better as we begin a make-or-break period for us with a run of midweek postponed games.”
Nicholl will be without captain Mark Baxter, who is sidelined with a foot injury, will make a late decision on the fitness of central defender Joe Mbu, who has been struggling this season with a groin injury.
The game is all-ticket but police are allowing remaining tickets to be sold at Central Park between 1pm and 2.30pm.