DAN Barlaser does not believe Accrington Stanley need to arm themselves with a ‘big game mentality’, because he feels they are among the ones to watch this season.

Stanley embark on a what, on paper, is a tough run of fixtures, starting with Peterborough United this afternoon, with Luton away, Portsmouth at home and a trip to Coventry to follow, while the visit of Sunderland on December 8 comes after games against Barnsley, Rochdale and Wycombe.

But, despite winning promotion to the third tier for the first time in the club’s history, Barlaser believes Stanley’s place in League One’s top six is no fluke - and that performances in the upcoming fixtures can prove that.

Asked if he felt today’s trip to London Road was the team’s biggest test so far, the on-loan Newcastle United midfielder said: “Definitely...but we thought that about Doncaster and we just went out with a game plan to work for each other, and I think we played Doncaster off the park to be fair.

“I don’t see why we can’t do that against Peterborough.

“I think teams underestimate us because we play very good football. We possibly could have more points because in the Shrewsbury game if we’ d have had 11 men I think we’d have won, and we had three or four games on the bounce where we drew and had countless chances. But obviously being in the play-offs is very good.

“I don’t know why we’re bothering about all these top teams when I think we’re a top team in this league. I think sometimes they’ve got to bother about us.

“I think we’re going to go there, play good football and try to get three points.

“They’ll probably be pushing to get automatic promotion. They drew with Sunderland, away, the other day, which is a very good result away so I think it’s going to be a big test for us, but I think if we play like we know we can we might get a good result.”

Of the run of eight games, which includes facing four of the top six, Barlaser added: “It’s just game to game. I think we should be up there so I don’t see why it’s got to be ‘a big game’.”

And the 21-year-old is pleased to be playing his part in it.

“It’s very good. I think I’ve played seven games now, one goal, one assist, four starts, and we’re in the play-offs,” said Barlaser, who broke into the starting XI against AFC Wimbledon in September and has had an extended run in the side following injury to captain Seamus Conneely.

“The lads were saying when I came that if you’re in the team and the team’s doing well you’ll be in for a long time but if you’re not it’s quite hard, so I’m really happy to be in the team.

“I knew I had the ability but last year the manager didn’t really change the team much so I knew it was going to be hard.

“So with coming in quite early and us playing well and winning it’s a big plus for me.”

So too was scoring his first goal, in the 4-1 Checkatrade Trophy win over Macclesfield Town.

“It was a relief to score because I didn’t think it was going to come.

“Against Doncaster I drilled one right in the corner and the keeper saved it.

“Even in the Macclesfield game I had a chance before I scored which I should have put away.

“It was a good goal as well, so that’s a good start.

“But I think I should have had more.

“If I’m here for the full season I’ll back myself to try to get close to 10 goals.”