Assistant manager Stuart McCall is looking for Bradford City to gain revenge against one of only three teams to do the 'double' over them last season when they face Southampton at Valley Parade tomorrow.
The City captain and midfielder is proud of his team's home record that has brought five points from matches against Chelsea, Arsenal and pacesetters Leicester City.
But he knows the pressure will be on them to beat Southampton, who along with Manchester United and Leeds United beat them twice last season.
"Every game is difficult in the Premiership," he said. "But if you accept you need to win 11 matches you would say Southampton is one where you would look to take three points. Against Chelsea and Arsenal we were massive underdogs and anything you gained was a bonus.
"Against Southampton the expectation level is different. You would look to take points off a side expected to be in the bottom half of the table, which brings added pressure.
"Supporters look at our signings and think we are a far better side than last season, but other clubs have also strengthened. Two of the promoted clubs, Charlton and Manchester City, have spent far more than we have. We know that survival is our sole aim.
"People get carried away about our prospects, but we have to be realistic. We have come a long way in two years, but progress is gradual and the important thing is to keep improving.
"We will need more points than we had last season to stay up and we have also got to be realistic - we are going to be nearer the bottom of the table than the top.
"It is going to be tough to survive. That is not being negative, it is being realistic. Our aim is to finish better than last season."
City are hoping striker Benito Carbone, who missed Tuesday's 1-0 Worthington Cup win at Darlington with ankle and shin injuries, will be fit to return. But David Hopkin, who has an ankle injury, and Ian Nolan, who has a hamstring injury, are both ruled out.
City dropped into the bottom three after losing at Aston Villa last Saturday, but only two points separate ten clubs with Southampton just a point ahead after beating Newcastle at home.
The Saints have injury doubts about Latvian striker Marian Pahars who scored both goals against Newcastle despite suffering from a hamstring injury and Moroccan international midfield player Hassan Kachioul.
Matt Le Tissier, who made his first start against Mansfield in the Worthington Cup on Wednesday, could play his first full Premiership match of the season.
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