Gloucester City are more than happy to go into their National League North game against Gateshead on Saturday as the underdogs, says co-chairman Alex Petheram.
The Tigers go into the match in 17th place, creating an eight point gap from Farsley Celtic in the relegation place after going unbeaten in five games.
However, City face top of the table Gateshead, a team that have only lost one in their last 12 games, and Petheram admitted his side will be unfancied going into the clash at New Meadow Park.
“I’ll quite comfortably say that I’m more than happy this year to go into that fixture as the underdog,” said Petheram.
“They’re a full-time football club, we know quite a lot about them. Every time we play Gateshead they seem to beat us. There’s normally drama as well.
“If you look at the last three times we’ve visited Gateshead there’s always been a managerial change at the game or within 24 hours of each of those three games. So for us Gateshead is always a fixture that stands out on the calendar.”
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After finding themselves at second bottom earlier in the year, City have created a healthy gap between themselves and the drop.
But Petheram was philosophical when asked about whether Lee Mansell’s side could potentially be dragged back into the relegation dogfight.
He added: “I try not to become too emotional. If you let the highs and the lows affect you you’d probably have a mental breakdown at some point.
“I’ve been down that road before where you become so emotionally invested that it eventually takes over your life.
“I try now to be more level, I’ve always been fairly assured. We’ll be more than ok, but I would have liked (the season) to be a little bit easier than it has been.
“It’s been a difficult season and one to move on from.”
Gateshead boast an impressive attacking line-up, with Macaulay Longstaff the league’s top scorer this season with 20 goals, while Cedwyn Scott has notched 19.
The Tynesiders are three points ahead of second place Brackley Town, who have a game in hand on them. Only first place will gain automatic promotion to the National League, while places from second to seventh will battle it out in the play offs.