JACK Hobbs says Hull City must take their chance to "crank up the pressure" on promotion rivals Watford by beating Bristol City at the KC Stadium tomorrow night.
Victory for the Tigers would open up a nine-point lead over Gianfranco Zola's men, leaving the Hornets with no margin for error in their final three games.
Watford will host Blackburn on Saturday, and then travel to face Leicester a week tomorrow needing to win both to stay in the hunt should City pick up a victory against relegated Bristol tomorrow.
And Hobbs says that is too good an opportunity for the Tigers to fail to take.
"There is a lot of pressure on Watford, and the form they have been in just adds to that, so if we can add a bit more then it would be fantastic," Hobbs said.
"Playing Friday night means a little less recovery time, but at the same time, it gives us the chance to crank up the pressure by getting the job done.
"Then, we can watch the results come in on the Saturday."
City can't ask for much more in terms of opponents tomorrow, with Bristol already consigned to life in League One, having lost their battle for survival on Tuesday.
But having come undone against another struggling side in Wolves themselves earlier this week, Hobbs says City must go out all guns blazing and be at their best.
"Bristol have been relegated and a lot of people may point at that and say it could work in our favour but, as a player, I have always given everything regardless of what rests on the game and I expect them to do the same," Hobbs said.
"As a footballer, you have pride and even if relegated you put a shift in. "They won't be sacking it off so we have to prepare right.
"We were bitterly disappointed with the result on Tuesday. Performance wise, I thought we dominated for long periods and passed the ball well but didn't really create that many out and out chances.
"I am sure we can bounce back from it."
The promotion run-in has seen both City twice fail to take chances to strike a killer blow to Watford's hopes.
And although Hobbs admits to some nerves creeping in, the stand-in captain is calling on his team-mates to turn it to their advantage,
"There is maybe a little bit of nerves because there is a lot resting on it, but you have to turn that pressure into a positive," he said.
"As opposed to being worried about making a mistake it is all about going out there in a positive frame of mind.
"This is a challenge and an opportunity. And as the gaffer always says, 'Enjoy it as you might not get this opportunity again'.
"I'd have taken this position at the start of the season, without a doubt. "The message to the fans is 'get behind us, we appreciate your support and, hopefully, we can deliver three points for you'.
