Hi °C | Lo °C John Robertson leads his Derry City team into what he believes is one of the club's biggest games of the season this evening.
The Candystripes face local rivals Finn Harps in a third round FAI Cup tie, with not only a place in the quarter-finals at stake for holders Derry as the cup offers their only real remaining hope of securing European football for next season.
Derry will also be hard pushed to bring Setanta Sports Cup action to the Brandywell unless the cup is retained, which makes tonight's game vital on two very important fronts.
There is also the not so small matter of local pride to play for in Ballybofey and for what is expected to be a large travelling support with Derry selling-out their ticket allocation, that will be key.
"We'll be treating the tie as our toughest game of the season," said Robertson.
" We have to give Harps the respect they deserve and the respect their form deserves and approach the game the way we would any big match.
" To be fair to Paul Hegarty he has got Harps on a tremendous run, but we have watched them and we know all about their striking duo of Conor Gethins and Stephen Parkhouse."
Of Derry's recent good form, the most pleasing aspect for Robertson has been the performance of the defence.
"A lot of credit most go to the back four and to Pat Jennings," he said.
"There has been very little wrong in terms of ourselves and Drogheda, but at the end of the day it's all about getting three points and they have been more consistent.
"To be fair to our boys their effort and endeavour has been first class, we unfortunately got into a habit of not being able to kill teams off."
They did just that in beating Longford Town 3-1 at the Brandywell last week, in some way the perfect warm-up for tonight's match.
There should be a cracking atmosphere in Ballybofey with plenty of Derry supporters making the short journey to Finn Park.
Harps, actively chasing promotion and lying just behind leaders Cobh Ramblers in the First Division are unbeaten in their last 13 games, so it won't be a pushover for Derry.
The partnership up front between Sammy Morrow and Harps old boy Kevin McHugh is blossoming, although it is rough luck on Mark Farren who has been the striker to miss out since Morrow's arrival from Scotland.
He is quite a weapon for Robertson to throw at tiring defences in the closing stages of a game and has the potential to be tonight's matchwinner even if he does once again start the game on the bench.
Morrow has scored in each of the last two games as his form begins to come after his move from Hibernian.
The loss of Barry Molloy through suspension is a major blow for the Scotsman.
He has revelled in his central midfield role since the return of partner Ciaran Martyn from a loan spell in Iceland.
The only injury worry is Ruardhi Higgins who hasn't trained since limping off against Shamrock Rovers a few weeks ago. Left-back Sean Hargan reported back fit for duty this week.
