Ruaidhri Higgins admits that Derry City need to win all three of their remaining games of they are to become champions.
The Candystripes have been the subject of much criticism this week after throwing away successive opportunities to take control in the title race by drawing 1-1 with both Bohemians and Sligo Rovers.
It leaves Higgins and his players, who have managed just one win in nine League games since June, in the unenviable situation of needing to win against Dundalk, St. Patrick’s Athletic and Shelbourne to win the club’s first title in 27 years.
“I think so, aye,” he admitted. “To be honest, you shouldn’t really look at the fixtures because of the season that’s in it, but I do believe that we’ll need nine points and, listen, as I say, you never know with these things.
“But, as it stands, that’s what I believe.”
Higgins insists his players understand the magnitude of what they are playing for in the midst of widespread criticism of the team ahead of Friday night’s game at Dundalk.
“Of course they understand,” he said. “I think what we try and do here is educate players when they come into the club about the club, about the city, about what the club means to the people at Derry, and no one feels that responsibility more than me.
“I know our supporters absolutely love the club through thick and thin and they get right behind us. In the second half the other night, when we showed more energy, more passion, more drive, they got right behind us.
“But, again, it’s up to us to get that reaction. We’re just passing through, we’re just a number. The supporters that are here week in week out will be here for life and they want success, they crave it and they deserve it, so we have to be right at it over the next few weeks.”
Higgins insists all criticism should be aimed at him and not the players for the club’s recent form.
“I think that we’re at a stage of the season where something special could happen and what I would like to do is if people are negative and angry, direct it at me, because I’m the manager of the club,” he stated.
“Come at me, because the players need to go out onto the pitch feeling free, feeling motivated and we need them to be at their best over the next few weeks. I’m the manager of the club, so whatever criticism comes should be aimed at me.
“We’ve won big games before and I’ve no doubt between now and the end of the season we can win some big games. You can’t switch form on and off, but you can’t switch belief on and off either, and I totally believe in the players.”
Dundalk will be relegated tonight if they fail to beat Derry City, who travel to Oriel Park with a number of key players potentially missing. Defenders Ben Doherty and Ciaran Coll and striker Pat Hoban are all doubtful after picking up injuries in recent games.