Danny Lennon'S St Mirren side are rooted in the Scottish Premiership play-off spot going into today's home game against Motherwell, their last fixture before the split.
However, he pointed out that his team are only six points behind seventh-placed Hibernian and insists his players have all the necessary attributes to get out of trouble, regardless of what pundits may say.
"There are six points separating the bottom five teams [above relegation-bound Hearts] and a lot of people have us pencilled in for a play-off position, and that suits us fine," said Lennon.
"We certainly know what to do and I know the character and the fight of the players in the dressing room. They have managed to beat every top-flight club: they beat Celtic in the League Cup semi-final and they showed character and fight to lift the League Cup.
"But having said that, we know our best performances have come when we have followed the game plan. With six games to go, we have to bring those strengths out."
Lennon is looking for his players to reach the heights of their 4-1 Boxing Day win over Dundee United in Paisley. He said: "Dundee United were flying high, scoring goals for fun and unbeaten in seven games, but we were convincing winners. That day we showed fantastic character and fantastic fight - but we also followed the game plan to the letter."
Four of St Mirren's last six games are at home and the manager is looking to their fans to rally to the cause. "Last season, when we won the cup, I spoke about it being a collective achievement, from the board, to the players to the supporters and to the community," he said. "It is times like this that we need the same backing and support."
Over at Motherwell, manager Stuart McCall was laughing off a newspaper suggestion that he might be interested in signing Craig Gordon, the former Hearts and Sunderland goalkeeper.
"I think it would be crazy to say you are not interested in somebody," said McCall. "But, then again, we would be interested in Wayne Rooney if he popped up next week."
Gordon has been training with Rangers for several months after a second operation on damaged knee tendons and has been talking to clubs. McCall said: "I believe Craig is looking fit and sharp. If his fitness isn't in question, he will have far bigger clubs than us chasing him. It's an interesting one. Prior to his injuries, he was world class."
McCall has more pressing concerns with up to eight players missing through injury for today's clash at St Mirren Park.
Henir Anier and Craig Reid picked up knocks in the midweek win at Inverness and will be joined for a fitness test by an unnamed player who suffered an injury scare in training, while keeper Lee Hollis, James McFadden, Stuart Carswell, Paul Lawson and Simon Ramsden remain out.
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