Invergordon manager Gary Campbell believes his side have yet to hit top gear despite their improved recent form.
After losing their first two matches of the North Caledonian League term, defending champions Invergordon have bounced back by winning their last four on the spin.
Although they are eighth in the table at present, Invergordon have at least two games in hand on the bulk of teams above them.
With a home game against Thurso next up on Saturday, Campbell is keen to raise the recent standards.
He said: “We haven’t been playing as well as we can do yet. I’m hoping there’s more to come.
“We have had a poor start to the season, but we are starting to pick up a bit now.
“Hopefully we keep on winning, which is the main thing – I suppose it’s a good thing we have been doing that when we have not been hitting top form yet.
“We have been there or thereabouts over the last five or six years, so nothing has changed for us.”
Cup final no distraction
Invergordon have also advanced to the final of the Football Times Cup, where they will face St Duthus on November 12.
Campbell insists he is primarily focused on generating league form, adding: “The league is the bread and butter to be honest. The cup final is a nice thing to get to for the boys, and the people who come to watch.
“We need to make sure our league performances improve and keep winning, though, or else we won’t give ourselves a chance of retaining it.
“There’s no point in having games in hand if we don’t win them.”
Thurso go into the game buoyed by a fine 1-1 draw against Orkney last weekend, with Campbell expecting a difficult encounter.
Campbell, who is without Jack Mackay, Niall Docherty and Ian Penwright, said: “Historically, Thurso have always been a decent side. They had a good result last week against Orkney, so it won’t be easy for sure.
“We seem to be getting teams when they’ve had a bit of form.
“We expect a hard game in every game we play. It’s about ourselves, we need to make sure we play well, because the league is very tight. There’s not much between a lot of the teams.”
Fort host Athletic in mid-table encounter
Fort William and Inverness Athletic will both be aiming to make moves closer to the summit when they meet at Claggan Park this weekend.
Leaders Loch Ness take on Nairn County reserves in Fortrose, while second-placed Golspie Sutherland are at home to Clachnacuddin reserves.
This weekend's NCFA Fixtures #NCFA #NorthCaley pic.twitter.com/GFUPZeGB34
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Elsewhere, St Duthus will aim to bounce back from a chastening 7-0 loss to Alness United when they host Orkney, while Halkirk United play host to Bonar Bridge.
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