Motherwell fans have learnt that hard way not to underestimate any opponent in the cups. After humiliation at the hands of third-tier Rangers and Albion Rovers in recent years, few will expect a simple task at East Fife in the second round of the League Cup on Tuesday.
Our recent cup record is well known. It is dismal, shameful in fact, but that does not change the fact that anything other than a win at New Bayview is completely unacceptable.
And while strong league form can protect a manager from cup disasters, Ian Baraclough does not have such a safety net. Indeed, should we lose to East Fife, there is a convincing case to be made for abandoning him in Methil and not even letting him back on the team bus.
Since winning against Inverness on the opening day of the season, we have lost, with varying competence, to Dundee United, Hearts, Aberdeen and St Johnstone. We were only truly poor against Hearts but throwing away points in the others - where we were no means impressive - is hardly a ringing endorsment of our potential.
So far, Baraclough has kept faith with largely the same, small group of players. Against the Fifers he will have to decide if it is worth giving them another chance to find form or if others - David Clarkson, Dom Thomas and Jack Leitch for example - deserve an opportunity.
Stephen Pearson remains injured and Stevie Hammell surely won't be risked after going off in Perth. Joe Chalmers hardly impressed as his back-up then but will likely start now.
East Fife, in contrast to us, are on the up after an early defeat with two impressive wins putting them joint-top of League Two. They have former Steelman Jonathan Page in their ranks and will fancy their chances of an upset.
A committed performance should avoid that humiliation but an edgy 2-0 win is unlikely to ease the pressure on Baraclough ahead of Saturday's must-win clash with Kilmarnock.