Ronnie McFall insists Portadown will do “everything possible” to salvage a spot in the top six this season.
The Ports continue to lag behind in seventh spot in the table – four points behind Glentoran just above them.
On Saturday McFall takes his side to Stangmore Park to face Dungannon Swifts.
And the determined Reds boss knows victory is required to keep their ambitions alive and kicking.
“We know we need to start picking up points if we want to get into the top half of the table,” McFall said.
“We are running out of games before the split arrives, so we need to starting winning now and Saturday presents another opportunity.
“But it will be very tough.”
Meanwhile, Glenavon manager Gary Hamilton is determined to avoid a relegation dogfight this season.
The Lurgan Blues sit just above the drop zone with six games remaining before the split – which will then see the bottom six clubs play each other once.
Hamilton is hoping his players can earn victory against basement club Distillery – who sit 15 points below Glenavon in the table – to ease any relegation fears.
“Saturday is a massive game for both clubs,” he said.
“Both need the points to help their Premiership survival bid.
“I don’t want to be in the relegation mix going into the split. We want to try and pull away from Distillery and Donegal Celtic, but that means we need some positive results.
“We know what we need to do.”
Elsewhere, Ballinamallard United manager Whitey Anderson hopes his side can take another step towards cementing their place in the top six on Saturday afternoon.
The Mallards proudly sit fourth in the Danske Bank Premiership table with five games remaining before the split – starting today at Donegal Celtic.
They also boast a healthy seven-point lead over seventh-placed Portadown.
“We just want to keep plugging away and keep on picking up points. If we do that then we will hopefully stay in the top half,” Anderson said.
“We have managed to pick up points consistently this season and we have five games to go before the split. It would be a great achievement if we got a top-six place this season, but we have a little bit of work to do.”
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