Tuesday, April 23, 2024
SportScottish Championship'When that pressure is on, it’s always difficult,' Dundee United ace Peter...

‘When that pressure is on, it’s always difficult,’ Dundee United ace Peter Pawlett questions whether Ross County can handle the heat in Championship title tussle

PETER PAWLETT has questioned whether Ross County can handle the pressure of a tense title tussle after Dundee United moved to within two points of the Staggies.

The diminutive playmaker notched the only goal of the game as United claimed a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Dunfermline on Tuesday night to close the gap at the summit.

County boast two games in hand, ensuring they remain firm favourites to lift the trophy, but Pawlett insists he would rather have the points on the board.

And with the sides set for a televised Friday night showdown in Dingwall on April 5, the former Aberdeen ace hopes the Highlanders are starting to feel the strain of leading the pack.

Pawlett said: “Ross County are a good side but when that pressure is on, it’s always difficult. Will they be getting nervous? I hope so.

“We want to win this league and, even if they have two games in hand, they don’t just have those points – they’ve got to battle and scrap, while thinking ‘Dundee United are two points behind, on our case’.

“We still have to play them so hopefully they are getting nervous and we can clinch the title.”

The prospect of a fraught fight for the title appeared unlikely just a fortnight ago when County’s 2-1 win over Falkirk saw them roar 11 points clear.

However, three victories on the bounce – including a 1-0 triumph over the Staggies – have rekindled United’s hopes.

And Pawlett has set the lofty target of winning ALL of their remaining six games during a mouth-watering run-in.

He continued: “There are six games left and we probably need to win them all, so long may this run continue. We can’t afford to slip up.

Belief

“We played Ross County last week and the gap was eight points and we knew that they wouldn’t play again in the league before our next two games. So the target was two wins and we have done that.

“Now we just need to get another win against Queen of the South on Saturday and see where we are after that.

“We expect to win every game, we put that demand on ourselves. We’re a good team and can beat anyone; that’s the attitude and the confidence we need to have if we want to do something at the end of this season. Everyone in that dressing room believes.”

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