Paul Paton has revealed he has been left home alone after flat-mate Chris Erskine’s shock loan move back to Partick Thistle.
The pair are firm friends and joined Dundee United from the Jags during the summer.
Paton quickly established himself as a key component of boss Jackie McNamara’s first-choice starting line-up, however Erskine struggled to make an impact and has on occasion been given a tough time by the Tannadice faithful.
He has actually started the last two games, however he was still keen to return to Firhill earlier this week to regain form and confidence.
And Paton is sure that when the loan spell is over, his pal will come back to United and finally establish himself in the team.
Paton said: “I’m disappointed that Chris has gone back to Partick. The fans love him there and they’ll know what to expect. There’s no pressure on him.
“I think here the fans haven’t really taken to him so far. He came here to make an impact but it obviously hasn’t worked out as expected.
“I think it’s just a confidence thing and the best is still to come from him. It’s about what people expect. The fans were on his back a bit but he’s maybe not been given much of a chance.
“He just wanted to get himself in the team and stay there which is what he’ll now do at Partick Thistle. I was travelling with him to training every day so this is a bit of a blow to me.
“Myself, Brian Graham and Chris would come up in the same car. Now I might have to jump in with John Rankin or someone else to get to training!
“We share a flat in Dundee as well. Now I’m on my own. The whole thing is just disappointing but Chris is mentally strong.
“I’m sure he can come back and do well for the club because he’s on the rise. It just shows the kind of guy Chris is that I think he asked to go out on loan, play football and be happy.
“He’s not going for the money or anything like that. Now he’s going to do that at Thistle and I wish him all the best.”
Erskine was handed his starting debut for United in the league against Inverness in August.
It was a day to forget for the 26-year-old as the Highland outfit powered to victory with the player being booed off when he was substituted in the second half.
However, Paton insists Erskine will silence the doubters when he returns from his loan spell.
Paton said: “That (the booing) wasn’t great and I felt for him. That could have been me that day. In fact, a lot of us were poor in the game.
“It’s difficult when you are a new player trying to make an impression and the fans have been quite hard on him.
“But he’s still got two and half years left on his contract here and I think he’ll be trying to catch the gaffer’s eye in the games remaining this season.
“Chris is a great lad who works hard in training every day. I expected him to come here and do well and score goals.
“So far it’s just not happened for him but I know how good a player he is.”