“Because we lost one game, people forget the stuff we have done before. Maybe some players want to send a message but I don't, our message is all year round.

“I just look at us finishing as high as possible. For me it's too early to start talking about the top four. Other people want to, but I don't.”

Asked if tomorrow’s game takes on extra significance following last weekend’s defeat, Distin added: “Every single game is important. I can't see one game that you feel like you can lose and it's fine. It's one game of many. It's not more important than the one we just lost.”

Meanwhile, Distin’s fellow centre-back Phil Jagielka believes the plaudits should be shared by the entire team after claiming the club’s player of the month award for October yesterday.

“We've had a good start to the season and it's nice to be recognised, to have had a decent start on a personal basis and to win these type of awards,” he said.

“But it's obviously down to the team doing well that confidence is high and the players are playing so well.

“The team hasn't had a great start for a long time and on a personal note if you're in a defence and you're not winning games the confidence gets drained out of you quite quickly.

“As much as we've conceded a few goals, we've worked well as a team and played well. So it's nice to start well. If everyone else is confident around you it brings out the best parts of your game.”