Ryan Flynn admits the clock is ticking on St Mirren's Ladbrokes Premiership fate with a mission impossible looming.
The Buddies sit three points adrift at the foot of the table after six straight league defeats.
And time is running out for Oran Kearney's men to save their skins, with just 13 games left.
Now Flynn has confessed the Buddies must make the most of their next few fixtures – starting with Saturday's trip to Aberdeen – or else risk leaving it too late to fight their way to survival.
He said: "It's clear from our position in the league we need points and we need them fast.
"As the games run out we need to make sure we can get as many on the board as we can so we don't leave ourselves too much to do late on and make it impossible for ourselves.
"We've been in a position where we've had a great escape before. It was only a couple of years ago that guys in this squad managed to turn things around massively when we were bottom of the Championship.
"Things can change quickly but we need to get points on the board quickly. We're the ones playing catch-up and there's no more time to waste."
Ending their miserable run will be easier said than done for St Mirren as they prepare for their third trip to Pittodrie this term.
On both their previous visits to the Granite City, they found themselves rocked as the Dons rattled in four goals on their way to comfortable wins.
But Flynn insists there will be no fear factor in play when they square up to Derek McInnes' team.
He said: "We've been up there twice this season and both times we've left ourselves with far too much to do after half-time.
"I watched Queen of the South against them up there last week in the Scottish Cup and they worked so hard and made life very difficult for Aberdeen.
"That's exactly what we've got to do. If you can't put teams under pressure, they will punish you.
"We're not looking at this game with any dread. If you do that you're beaten before you step on the pitch.
"We've got to be positive and see it as a challenge. We got promoted last year and we want to be in the position where we can stay in this league."
