PAUL McMANUS reckons the Gayfield fear factor has had a lot to do with Arbroath' early league success as teams hate their day out by the sea.
And McManus believes rival clubs now see the Smokies as a major scalp to claim.
The Arbroath striker, who has bagged six goals this season, also insists their frugal defensive record shows they mean business in the League Two title race.
They have conceded just six goals in seven league matches.
And the Gayfield side have lost just once in opening up a five-point gap on Albion Rovers at the summit.
Ahead of today’s visit by Shire McManus said: “A lot of teams fear coming to Gayfield and we have to use that to our benefit.
“Arbroath are five points clear at the top and we are there to be shot at – teams see us us a major scalp and want to beat us.
“We have a winning mentality at the club and we want that to continue.
“We are not conceding goals and we are on a good run and attacking teams a lot.
“Defensively we have been sound this season and not many teams are getting in behind us.
“The first goal is important but most weeks we have opened the scoring and then the defenders have done their bit.
“But going forward we look as if we can score all the time.
“We will not get carried away – but if we can get another five or six wins before Christmas we will put ourselves in a good position league wise.
“This will be a difficult game against East Stirling but if we show the same commitment and desire as we have done all season then hopefully we can get all three points.”
Craig Tully knows Arbroath are the form team in the league right now – but feels Shire are ready for the test.
The East Stirling boss said: “They’ve shown their quality with the results they have had.
“But we have improved recently and this will be a good gauge as to where we are at the moment.”