HUW GRIFFITHS is ‘interested’ to see how Cefn Druids’ televised trip to Llandudno plays out with both sides feeling the heat.

Griffiths takes Druids to Maesdu Park tonight for a battle between nine and 10th position in the top-flight.

Having led the Ancients into the Europa League all eyes were on Druids this term, while Llandudno made a number of eye-catching signings in the summer with the likes of Kai Edwards and Mike Pearson arriving from Connah’s Quay Nomads.

With Llandudno only out of the drop zone on goal difference and Druids just three points better off, Griffiths is intrigued by tonight’s encounter.

“It will be interesting,” pondered Griffiths. “It’s a match between two sides who are probably not where people thought they would be before the season started.”

Griffiths does believe, however, that Llandudno boss Iwan Williams is probably feeling the strain more than himself.

“Llandudno have probably been the team that has under-achieved,” he Griffiths. “Llandudno were looked at before the season started as a team who could potentially push Connah’s Quay and Bala.

“We are ninth in the table and that is possibly the type of team we are at the moment. We are growing and changing all the time, but last season was a huge achievement.”

Druids won the meeting between the two teams at The Rock back on September 1 and Griffiths knows another three points can help ease some pressure and help his players start looking up the table.

“I’d love to go and win,” said Griffiths. “A win would allow us to latch on to the top six and grow the gap between ourselves and the teams at the bottom.

“If you can create a big enough gap you can start looking up the table, not down.

“Three points would take a lot of pressure off us.”

And three points would move Druids to 14, some 16 away from the 30 mark that Griffiths feels would guarantee survival at the end of the season.

“We are halfway through the first part of the season and we need to emulate Newtown’s run over the first 11 games to hit 30 before the split,” said Griffiths.

“Looking at it, 32 might be the number to hit for the top six, which is a huge amount of points, but putting yourself on 30 gives you a good shot at seventh if you fail to finish in the top half.

“We are capable of getting 19 points from the next 11 games, we just need a bit more guile and better game management, because our biggest defeat is 3-1 at Connah’s Quay.”

Experienced defender Neil Ashton returns from suspension for Druids, leaving Griffiths with a decision to make at the back after Aaron Simpson proved a worthy deputy in the 1-1 draw with Cardiff Met.

In the opposition camp, Llandudno boss Williams insists he’s doing everything he can to try and turn his side’s fortunes around.

Llandudno have lost seven of their first 11 games this season, the latest of which saw them beaten 1-0 at home by Aberystwyth.

Williams said: “Personally I’ve looked at myself also. I’ve built a group I have belief in and they’re not performing.

“These players have to take responsibility and show some character. We’ve protected them for long enough.”