Mark Ridgers insists Caley Thistle cannot allow Dundee United’s devastating form detract from their own Championship progress.
Inverness are second in the table, but are 13 points adrift of pacesetters United who are on an eight-game winning streak.
Caley Jags’ own points tally of 29 points compares favourably with last season, with John Robertson’s men three points better off than they were 12 months ago.
With today’s visit of Dunfermline marking the midway point of the campaign, Ridgers says the Highlanders remain on track for their target of promotion to the Premiership.
Ridgers said: “It’s absolute credit to Dundee United, what they have done is incredible. We have sometimes managed to go four or five games unbeaten, but we know every game is tough.
“The game we lost last Saturday for instance, just because Partick were where they were in the league, we knew it was going to be difficult.
“These games are the games that some people on the outside maybe look at and take for granted.
“We know how tough this league is. We have been in it for a third year now, so we know what to expect.
“To get out of it we need to try and put on a run – which we have been doing.
“We can’t get away from what we have done so far – to be in the position we are in. The aim at the beginning of the season was promotion, and it’s in our hands now to win as many games as possible.
“It’s still there for us.”
A late Sean Welsh penalty secured Inverness a 1-0 win when they last faced the Pars at East End Park in September, however Stevie Crawford’s men have since risen into the play-off positions with a fine recent run of form.
Ridgers says gaining the edge in tight games is key to producing a winning run, as Inverness look to get back on track from last week’s 3-1 loss to Partick.
The 29-year-old added: “When we last played Dunfermline down there it was a turning point that shows where we are going this season compared to last season.
“It’s one of those games where we know what to expect now. Everybody is putting on good runs of form. They are a bit like ourselves, once you hit that run of a couple of wins, the confidence gets going and everything comes off for you.
“Like us they have had a setback, losing the game last week 4-3 against Dundee. They will be looking to restart their run, like we are.”
Ridgers is wary of the threat posed by the Fife side, adding: “Stevie Crawford has brought some good young players in.
“Kevin Nisbet scored a barrow load of goals for Raith Rovers last season, and he’s starting to hit a bit of form, and I was at Kilmarnock with Greg Kiltie. They have got good players.”