Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi wants his team to “enjoy” the pressure which comes with closing in on a play-off place.
The Reds could have a top six spot guaranteed even before they make the trip to Barnsley on Sunday, should Millwall and Swansea City fail to win their respective fixtures 24 hours earlier.
If those results do not go their way, a point could be enough for fifth-placed Forest in their penultimate outing, at Oakwell.
But Lamouchi is under no illusion about the challenge his side face against the relegation-threatened Tykes - and is eager to avoid going into the final day needing a result.
For your latest Forest news sign up to our newsletter with your email in the box at the top of the page - or click here
“Every game I feel pressure! The problem starts when you don’t feel the pressure,” said the Frenchman. “We need the pressure, but also to find the right balance.
“The pressure for the players is important.
“The manager is under pressure not every week, but every day.
“We must take the right decisions, put the best team out and make the best changes during the game.
“And we also need to enjoy this moment, because we are close to the achievement. We just want to do the job.
“It was a long time ago when Forest had a year like this.
“The players deserve to finish the season in the best way.”
Barnsley are rooted to the bottom of the table - and could also have their fate sealed a day earlier, by other teams.
However, they have won twice in seven games since the season resumed, and pushed leaders Leeds United hard on Thursday night before falling 1-0.
“We want to win these last two games,” Lamouchi said.
“We know Barnsley’s situation, and yesterday they made it really tough for the league leaders, so we know they will also be tough against us.
“They will not give up and they will believe until the end.
“The game against them here at the City Ground was so tough and we were lucky to win that game.
“It is difficult to play against them.
“They have changed the manager and changed the system, and probably they also changed the spirit.
“We will face a difficult team and it will be a big fight, but we are ready for that, because all teams are fighting for something now.
“They are in good form.
“I was so surprised about the energy and the physical aspect (against Leeds), and they were sometimes angry.
“They are a tough team to play.”
Lamouchi accepts it could be an advantage if the play-offs are already a certainty come Sunday afternoon.
But he wants his players to be focused regardless.
“We will see, but I know what kind of game we need to play there,” he said.
“It will not be easy, at all.
“Before we play, the only positive thing is we will know the results from the other games.
“My players deserve to be where they are, and they deserve to stay where they are.
“They are fighting for that.
“They have done fantastic things until now and they know what they have to do for the next two games. They are focused on that.”
