“As a team that is certainly the case. If we can win tomorrow we can keep things going and the season will flourish — things will be upbeat and there will be a buzz about the place,” he said today.

“If we don’t win, though, it will all go a bit flat. I will demand we improve our league position because we should be higher than we are and players will be working to show me they should be involved next season, but as a team things will not be as enjoyable.”

Despite the heavy weekend league loss to Accies, Alan is optimistic the first scenario will apply and has detected a steely determination from his players in training. So much so, in fact, he has had to tell them to cool down.

“They were hurting after Saturday and there has definitely been a reaction. There has been an edge to their work and I have had to tell them to calm down a bit — it’s good they are working hard, but I can’t risk injuries before they get out on the pitch.

“I’ve told them as well that it’s one thing to be determined in training, but they have to take that attitude out on the pitch with them tomorrow night and do the job.”

Leading the team out, assuming he is fit, will be centre-half Bobby Mann.

He is being handed the captain’s armband in the absence of the suspended Barry Smith.

Of more concern to the manager today, though, was Mann’s progress as he battles back from the calf problem that forced him off at half-time on Saturday.

“I have not really given the captaincy too much thought, but Bobby is the obvious choice.

“He was stepping things up a bit today after his injury and I am fairly confident he will be fine.”

A great deal of thought has gone into how to cover for Smith’s absence from central midfield and, while Alan would not reveal names, he has decided who will anchor the midfield.

“I’ve pretty much decided on my team and how we will go, but Hamilton are staying up here tonight so I won’t be naming it before I have to,” he added.

Former Dark Blues defender Brent Sancho has salvaged his dream of a World Cup place with Trinidad and Tobago this summer by signing up with Swansea City.

Sancho had been a free agent after ending an unhappy spell at Gillingham.