Chris Lakey Gary Doherty is hoping City will live up to recent evidence and alleviate some of the pressure they have piled on themselves. Defeat on home turf by Sheffield Wednesday last weekend has meant the need for only the fourth away win of the season has increased considerably.

Chris Lakey

Gary Doherty is hoping City will live up to recent evidence and alleviate some of the pressure they have piled on themselves.

Defeat on home turf by Sheffield Wednesday last weekend has meant the need for only the fourth away win of the season has increased considerably.

It should have been a case of securing Championship survival with a nice little home run, but that's all changed now and with just five games remaining, three of which are away, priorities have changed too.

“Obviously we could have done with winning our home games,” said the City skipper.

“Sheffield Wednesday for whatever reason seem to have the hex sign over us - even when we play really well we always get beaten by them.

“Obviously on Saturday we didn't play well but we thought we were unfortunate not to get a point at least and that's put massive pressure on us to get something away from home.”

However, all is not lost, and Doherty points to some very recent evidence that City can pick up points on their travels.

“We need a performance like QPR, like Birmingham, we need one of those big performances that can get us a point or three,” he said.

The trip to QPR earned three points, the Birmingham game just the one - results that Doherty believes can give the team confidence.

“We know we've done it and we've done it at quite hard places as well,” he said. “QPR is quite a tough place to go and Birmingham, they're flying as well.

“We know we can go and get decent enough results away from home, but obviously the three away games we've got are all going to be tough, but it is something we are all looking forward to.”

This weekend is one which could define the club's future - and Doherty believes the importance of the two games cannot be over-hyped.

“Certainly not, it's massive,” he said. “This time next week we will pretty much know who's going to be down there for the last three games. It's that big.

“Obviously we have got an idea, but with six points and three days it can put you out of it or really put you in it.

“It's massive, you can't understate it. It's two massive games and two we're looking forward to.

“It can swing your season right round and make it a comfortable finish or a real nail-biting finish. If you can get four to six points it would be a great return over Easter and that's what we are looking for.”

The first obstacle are the pass-masters of Swansea City.

“It's going to be a massive effort,” Doherty said. “Obviously we are going to have to close down really well or they will just pop it round you. They are probably the best passing side in this league, but we're quietly confident - we have got some good passers of the ball as well and it should be a decent game.”

The task, he believes, should prove an inspiration.

“You don't want people just to go out there and shrink because it's a couple of big games,” he said. “You want to go there and enjoy the atmosphere. Obviously you are under a lot of pressure but hopefully that will bring the best out in players - it certainly should do.”