Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara says his side have a problem with concentration not discipline.
The Tangerines slumped to their second successive loss on Sunday, losing the Tayside derby with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park 3-0.
Their cause was fatally undermined by an early sending-off for Calum Butcher, who was dismissed for a tug on Stevie May inside the United penalty area.
The Scotland Under-21 striker scored the subsequent spot-kick and went on to net a hat-trick against the 10 men from Tannadice.
McNamara’s side also lost last week at St Mirren after having Keith Watson sent off and of course were defeated in the League Cup in Inverness when Nadir Ciftci was controversially given his marching orders.
However, the Tannadice gaffer insists it is a failure to retain their focus that is costing his side dear rather than any “dirty play” issues.
He said: “Keeping 11 men on the park is important and it’s all down to concentration. It’s a decision-making problem rather than a discipline thing.
“It’s down to making the right decisions and keeping your concentration those are crucial things.
“On Sunday it was a simple ball over the top and we found ourselves a goal and a man down.
“It makes it hard for you and when you look at the three games we’ve lost, we’ve been down to 10 men in all of them.”
While United were losing in Perth, their New Year’s Day opponents Aberdeen were winning against Ross County at Pittodrie.
Derek McInnes’s side have won five out of their last six games and McNamara is expecting a stern test from the first-footers at a sold-out Tannadice on Wednesday.
The United boss said: “There will be a big support on New Year’s Day so it will be a good occasion.”
McNamara made major changes to his pack against St Johnstone with a few players carrying injuries as well as a desire to rest others like John Rankin, and he is still sweating on the fitness of several key performers for the Dons match.
He said: “We have a few knocks so we’ll assess the lads before the Aberdeen game. Ryan Gauld and Gavin Gunning will be touch and go.
“Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong will hopefully be OK, as will Rado Cierzniak after he picked up a small thigh injury.”
Meanwhile, McNamara confirmed striker David Goodwillie will almost certainly not be extending his loan stay at Tannadice and will head back to Blackburn next month.
He added: “David’s loan is up on January 13 so he’s available until then. We think he’ll be going back to Blackburn because it’s going to be hard for us to keep him.”