Sam Knudson wants Aberdeen Grammar to end 2019 by re-stating their play-off ambitions.
A run of one win in 5 games has seen Grammar drop into the middle of the pack in the Premiership, with only the top four berths qualifying for the end-of-season play-offs.
A narrow two-point defeat to Selkirk last weekend at Rubislaw saw the Borders side leapfrog them into fourth, ahead of their final game of the year at Jed Forest tomorrow.
Grammar skipper Knudson said: “We need to come away with the points to separate ourselves from the lower half. If we have any ambition of making the play-offs, we need to get the win. I’m confident we can go and do that.
“If you offered us fifth place at the start of the season we would have accepted that. The pre-season chats were about a mid-table finish but we’re slightly disappointed with where we are.
“The aim is still top four. With the restructure this season, it’s (the Premiership) is a brand new entity and we’ve been able to establish ourselves and gain confidence. If we started poorly, then that would have been a problem.”
Jed are second-bottom of the Premiership, three points clear of Musselburgh, and lost 25-15 in the Granite City at the end of September.
Victory may well be enough to see Grammar back into the play-off spots, given that Hawick and Selkirk – who sit third and fourth – face each other.
Greig Ryan returns to the side this weekend, while Sean Mills will have to pass a concussion test. Matthias Schosser and Jonny Spence will be out until after Christmas.
Given the run they have been on and the manner of some defeats, it has been a challenge maintaining motivation.
Knudson added: “When you’re looking at taking a four-hour trip to Jed, it can be difficult keeping people motivated and optimistic. But we still have those ambitions of a top four place.
“We are disappointed with last weekend but it’s given us a bit extra motivation, losing those games so narrowly. We have enjoyed trips to Jed in the past.
“There’s been a lot of contact involved in training and we’re going into games with a defensive attitude. The attacking shape comes naturally to the club, so it’s the defensive mindset we’ve been focusing on. The numbers at training have been great and the second team is top of their league, so the club is moving in the right direction.”