Stevie May reckons the post-split fixture schedule gives St Johnstone an ideal chance to pump up the pressure on rivals.
Saints begin their quest for automatic survival next Saturday with a trip through to bottom of the table Dundee.
Victory would stretch the gap to eight points while potentially reeling-in those sitting directly above in the standings.
“It’s a chance for us, if we can get three points on the board early, to put real pressure on the teams above,” the Perth forward told the PA.
“It will be a case of taking it one game at a time because we know that Dundee match is really huge for us.
“We need to be prepared and ready. It’s going to be a battle.
“Our goal is to get out of this without a playoff and, to do that, we’ll need to be taking three points. Without a doubt.
“If we get three points in that first game, we can then look ahead and take another step.
“Everyone has something to play for in the split and it’s much tighter than it was a few weeks ago.
“We’ve got ourselves in this position where we have a chance.”
A bumper Perth crowd is expected to make the short trip through to the City of Discovery, with excitement already bubbling nicely.
“It’s a crucial game and there is a lot at stake,” May continued. “The fans love a trip to Dundee.
“Of course bringing a successful result and three points back to Perth is the plan.
“The fans have been brilliant this season, better than I can remember in all my time at the club.
“They have been making a lot of noise and that seems to be growing.
“I’m sure it will be no different at Dundee. That will give us every chance and the boost to get the job done.”
Perth fans were reminiscing this past week as it was eight years on from May’s terrific double to down Aberdeen en route to the club’s first piece of major silverware in 2014.
The Newburgh striker is hoping to provide magic of that sort in the post-split matches.
“That day is definitely up there,” he smiled.
“To get into that final and over the line was right up there in my career. I think that result against Aberdeen really gave us the belief to win the whole thing.
“It remains a special day for me. The winning goal had a bit of everything.”
He added: “I’m working hard and trying to get myself back involved. The games are so big and you want to be involved.
“I’m doing everything I can and have been training well. Everyone will be ready to go and do their bit because we’re desperate to get out this situation we’re in.”
