Forres Mechanics manager Charlie Rowley knows the size of the challenge facing his players when they travel to Dudgeon Park on Saturday to face Highland League leaders Brora Rangers.
Throughout the season the Sutherland men have bullied most of their rivals into submission.
But the man who guided the Can-Cans to the Highland League title in 2012 believes his players have the physical resolve and strength of character to match their hosts.
Rowley said: “We know how difficult Saturday’s trip to Brora will be but I have a squad more than capable of getting a positive result against all the odds.
“The only negative I can see is recently we have not been performing for the full 90 minutes. We are really good in spells but we haven’t been able to maintain it for a full match – it has really been letting us down.
“I think we have a squad capable of being right in the mix. It hasn’t happened this season yet but we certainly have players who are more than capable of holding their own against Brora.”
Rowley knows the strength of Saturday’s opponents and added: “It will be a tremendous challenge but a couple of weeks ago Fraserburgh went up there and showed everybody how to do it by winning, so there is no reason why we can’t do exactly the same.
“We need to win the contests all over the park. Physically we are a match for Brora, but whether we can match them in ability remains to be seen.
“The spine of the side is hugely important and their central defensive pair of Grant Munro and Ross Tokely are massively experienced. In central midfield Gavin Morrison, Dale Gillespie and particularly Richie Hart are the pick of the bunch.
“When you add in the qualities of Steven Mackay and Zander Sutherland up-front, we know we really do need to be strong. It would be an upset if we were to beat Brora but not to me. I know my players.”