St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright has no issue with the praise flowing Dundee’s way on the back of their impressive start to the season.
But there hasn’t been enough recognition of his own team’s opening to the Premiership campaign for the Northern Irishman’s liking.
The Dark Blues may be unbeaten, but their seven-point total is two shy of Saints’ going in to Saturday’s Tayside derby.
“I think it’s been overlooked or taken for granted the start that we’ve made,” Wright said.
“Last year it took us to eight or nine games to get to our current points total. We’ve made a better start in terms of points on the board and we’re looking to build on that.
“Dundee are unbeaten but we have two more points. That’s the incentive of winning games, rather than drawing them. Last season was the most we’ve ever won in the top flight, and was why we did so well.
“You’re better going win-lose-win, than have three draws and being unbeaten. Maybe because Hamilton and Dundee have come up and done so well they’re rightly so getting the plaudits.
“But our good start has been a bit overlooked.We know it’s just five games, though, and I’m on record as saying it’s only after about 11 that the league starts to take shape.”
Wright was full of praise for the job Paul Hartley has done in transforming his promotion-winning side over the summer into a Premiership success story so quickly.
He said: “It’s difficult when you bring so many new players in, but he’s signed players with experience of the league.
“To have that start after bringing in so many, Paul will be delighted.
“We used to see him when we went to Alloa to train and we spoke on the phone a lot when Stevie May was on loan there.
“I don’t know what their spend is on transfers, but I’ve watched them against Kilmarnock, and they were really good.”
Wright insisted he won’t be treating tomorrow’s visitors to McDiarmid Park any differently to the rest of Saints’ opponents this season.
He pointed out: “We’re looking to get three points against anybody when it’s a home game.
“It’s my first game against Dundee as manager, but it’s still only three points. The thing about Dundee and United games is there will be a decent crowd, and that helps the players.
“It doesn’t put an extra edge on it for me personally though it’s another three points. There’s a rivalry between all clubs.”
Dundee signed striker David Clarkson earlier in the week a player Wright had a close look at himself.
“He was in for about two weeks for us and played in Ando’s testimonial,” he said.
“In the early stages of his time here we weren’t in a position to sign anyone, and David was fully aware of that.
“Then Brian (Graham) became available and I felt he would be a better option for us in terms of his age and how hungry he was. That’s the road we went down.
“David’s had a really good career though, and we saw his qualities in training. If he plays, we’ll have to be aware of him.”
Wright believes the international break was a welcome one for his squad.
He explained: “In terms of results the break came at a bad time but there were three boys who needed injections and didn’t train for a week.
“So from that point of view it came at the right time.
“I always look on international breaks as the time to let people recover from knocks, spend a bit of time with their families and come back refreshed.
“There wasn’t much of a break in pre-season because we finished late and came back early.
“They’ve looked really good in training and we’re looking forward to playing Dundee and kicking on again.”