Defender Omar Butterfield has backed Devonshire Cougars to remain unbeaten and win their first game at home this season when they face stuttering PHC at Devonshire Rec. tonight.

With Zebras already five points behind early pace-setters Boulevard, and with little room for error for the rest of the season, the clash against the 2007 champions is crucial with their coach Kyle Lightbourne describing it as a "do-or-die" affair.

But Butterfield said Cougars, who lifted this season's first piece of silverware by beating North Village in the Martonmere Cup, will not be drawn into PHC's pressures and will just focus on their own game-plan.

"The main focus of the squad is to get three points at home," said Butterfield.

"We haven't achieved this yet and it will be good to get it tonight.

"Our focus isn't on what they (PHC) have said about the match and what it means for them, it's on the actual match itself and what happens when we step on the pitch.

"We will be looking at what we do on the pitch and will keep on taking one game at a time.

"Going into the Christmas break we're currently in as good as a position as we have been in for many years.

"But we want to continue to perform on the pitch and everything else will work itself into the picture."

Cougars have both the stingiest defence and most potent attack so far this season but have fared better away from the Den, which is something Butterfield is keen for them to correct.

"It's key that we play football that will entertain the crowd and make them pleased with our performance as a team.

"The league is so tight at this point and it doesn't matter where points come from, whether it be at home or on the road, but we would like to get our points at home and make the Den a fortress.

"It does make a difference in a sense, but you can lose at home one week and the following week win on the road. It's about being consistent.

"We want to play our style of football and consolidate things at the back.

"We don't really focus on our opposition and what they are doing at the time we play them.

"We just bring what we bring, and when we bring it we know we will be the stronger of the two sides."

Devar Boyles' Cougars are currently third in the Premier Division with nine points, two behind leaders Boulevard.

Cougars play PHC tonight at 9 p.m., while in the First Division Wolves take on Somerset Trojans at 7 p.m.

Both games will be held at Devonshire Rec.