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Ross County enter a crucial part of the season second-bottom of the First Division - but manager Neale Cooper is refusing to contemplate relegation.
The Dingwall club entertain leaders Partick Thistle tomorrow - and second-placed Airdrie next weekend.
But Cooper believes that playing the best in the division can act as a catalyst for a County revival.
He said: "The pressure is always on the teams going well at the top of the table and we have no reason to be afraid. We have beaten Partick Thistle at home already this season, while managing a draw at Firhill, so we have every reason to be confident.
"If we can reproduce our performance of last week we can win the game. All we lacked was goals. That has to be our aim now, to score more goals.
"The league doesn't lie and we are in a tough position. But I haven't given relegation a second thought. I am focused solely on moving up the table.
"There are 18 games to go and it is my job to ensure that the players approach the remainder of the campaign positively."
The financial climate at County has forced Cooper to offload Derek Holmes, Craig Taggart, John McQuade - to Peterhead, Marc Millar and Neil Tarrant.
He said: "The need to implement some cutbacks did play a role in my decision but changes had to be made. There has been a pressing need to reduce the wage bill for some time now. Neil Tarrant has had ample opportunities since he came back here but he just didn't give us anything, while the other guys haven't taken their chances either.
"They had to be moved on but there's no point crying about it. Their departure has opened the door for the younger players to push for first-team football. We have a first-team squad of 17 players now and blooding our youth players has to be the way ahead."
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Ross County striker Steve Hislop reckons last weekend's point at Love Street could be the turning point in a disappointing season so far.
Hislop said Nelae Cooper's men were unlucky not to win the game and believes County are better than their second bottom position indicates.
The Dingwall side has a remarkable record against the First Division league leaders Partick despite County's fluctuating form.
County beat the Jags 3-2 in Dingwall earlier in the season and fought out a goalless draw at Firhill.
Hislop reckons County perform better against the top teams in the division and is confident they can take three home points today.
He said: "We have a decent record against them this season and we know what to expect.
"We seem to do better against the bigger teams and, hopefully, we can do it again and take the points.
"We are better than our league position shows and the lads know what they need to do to get back up the table.
"I think last weekend's result could be the start of a turnaround for us."
Hislop has netted 11 times for County this term since his move from East Stirlingshire in the close season and he hopes to be on target against Thistle at Victoria Park today.
He said: "The gaffer has moved me into midfield, but I am still able to get forward and have a shot on goal.
"Hopefully, I can get on the scoresheet tomorrow. But we know it will be a difficult game.
"They are definitely going for promotion and, hopefully, we can halt their run tomorrow.
"In our opinion our league position is false, but it's so tight that a couple of wins could take us right back up the league."
He added: "We are out of the cups now, so we can concentrate 100% on the league."
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Tough-tackling Ross County midfielder Kenny Gilbert has been given the all-clear by his eye specialist to begin heading the ball again after a 14-month lay-off.
That is great news not only for the likeable 26-year-old Aberdonian, but also for every Ross County fan who wants to see the team move up the First Division table and away from the threat of relegation.
Gilbert admitted last night that he can't wait to get back into the thick of the action.
He said: "The last 14 months have been so frustrating for me as I've been able to do almost everything the other lads have done during the week, apart from heading the ball, but I've had to sit and watch them play on a Saturday, which has been very hard.
"However, I've been able to keep fairly fit and have even been doing extra sessions on a Friday afternoon as I've not been involved in matches on a Saturday.
"All I really need now is games to get me match fit and, hopefully, soon I'll be able to repay County for remaining loyal to me during the last year."
Former Aberdeen and Hull City player Gilbert went on to explain the problem which has affected his vision over the last three years.
Gilbert said: "I have a conical cornea and the problem first arose when I got an infection in my eye caused by some dirt, or something like that, and it failed to clear up.
"I actually played for a whole season unable to see out of one eye and then the next season I played with the eye stitched shut, but the operations I've had have solved the problem, although I still have a wee bit of pressure on my eye caused by all the steroids I've had to take.
"But I'm hopeful that my new medication will have cleared that up by the time I go back to see my consultant next Monday."
He added: "Since I've been out injured more than a dozen players have come and gone from the club, but County have stood by me and it's now my turn to repay their belief in me and that's exactly what I aim to do."
County manager Neale Cooper revealed that he was delighted to hear Gilbert's news.
Cooper said: "I'm so pleased for Kenny as he is a model professional and a great example to the younger lads in the squad.
"He's not that far away from full fitness and I'm sure his many fans will be delighted to see him back in the middle of the park."
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Ross County defender Sean Webb has been forced to put his attempt to earn a dream move to the Premiership on hold after receiving an injury during a trial with Charlton Athletic.
The Northern Ireland youth international was scheduled to spend five days at The Valley, but his stay was cut short and he returned to Dingwall on Wednesday for further treatment.
Webb played a full 90 minutes for the Addicks reserves against Dover Athletic on Monday but limped out of a second friendly on Tuesday.
Charlton manager Alan Curbishley had planned to make a quick decision on a move for the young defender, but will now wait until he can take another look at the player in action.
Webb, who spent a similar spell with Fulham in November, has been edged out of the Ross County starting line-up in recent weeks, but Victoria Park manager Neale Cooper believes he has the ability to play at the highest level despite the injury setback.
Dingwall manager Cooper said last night: "It's a bit of blow for Sean. He was only in his second day at Charlton when he picked up the injury, 10 minutes into a friendly game.
"He has a cut across his big toe and, although it's not a serious injury, we will just have to give it time to heal."
Cooper is keen to avoid the temptation to overplay his youngsters and plans to allow Webb to develop in his own time despite the interest from England.
He said: "When you are a young player it's almost expected that you will blow hot and cold for spells.
"Sean's been on the bench and coming on for us but I fully expect him to be pushing to regain a starting place again.
"He hasn't been playing regularly lately but Charlton still wanted to take a look at him. It's disappointing that it hasn't worked out because of the injury."
County manager Cooper added: "It's important that he doesn't let it get him down. There will certainly be other opportunities for him."
Fulham are still monitoring Webb's progress while Charlton are expected to invite him back to London to complete the trial once he is free from injury.
Meanwhile, Webb has been joined on the Victoria Park casualty list by Conor Gethins.
The 18-year-old striker picked up an ankle knock in training yesterday and could miss Saturday's clash with Airdrie in Dingwall.
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Ross County are not involved in the glamour of the Scottish Cup this weekend ut the Victoria Park team have been warned that today's clash with championship challengers Airdrie at Dingwall is just as big an occasion.
Ross boss Neale Cooper is under no illusions about the importance of every First Division fixture in the remaining three months of the season as his side battle against relegation.
Cooper said: "They are all big games for us at the moment. Airdrie are a good side with experience from the back through to the front and they have been going great guns this season.
"We have to go out and show the same attitude and application as we have in the last two games - but add something special in the final third."
Cooper believes his team are showing encouraging signs. But he has been disappointed that their performances haven't been rewarded with points.
He has turned his attentions to solving the scoring problem which has cost County dearly and believes the whole team have to share responsibility with the strikers.
County will be without injured duo Sean Webb and Conor Gethins but Mark McCormick returns from suspension.
Midfielder Kenny Gilbert is also back in contention after winning his battle against the eye complaint which has put his career on hold.
Cooper added: "Kenny could feature."
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