With one Betfred Cup section tie to go, Ray McKinnon’s new-look Dundee United side is taking shape.
Performances in the three games so far have been encouraging and, as well as getting results to take his team to the verge of qualification for the knockout stages, the manager has been able to give most of his squad valuable game time.
With that in mind he’s likely to make changes for the visit of Dunfermline on Sunday and his selection will give a clue as to his plans for the opening Championship clash with Queen of the South next week.
Tonight the Tele looks at what the starting line-up for the kick-off to the vital challenge for promotion is going to be.
Goalkeeper — That big summer signing Cammy Bell will play is a no brainer. The former Rangers man has already shown his quality and ability to be an organiser of the defenders in front of him. That was something United lacked last term.
Right-back — Lewis Toshney is a certainty to operate on the right of the defence. The 24-year-old has been very impressive to date and his manager believes he has a big future ahead of him.
Centre-back — This is an area of the team where the manager has chopped and changed so far. Coll Donaldson, Harry Souttar, Mark Durnan and Sean Dillon have all been used. Difficult to call but Donaldson looks favourite to start the league campaign.
Centre-back — There has to be a chance the other central slot in the rearguard will be filled by a new signing. The manager has made no secret of his desire to add another player, possibly in that area, though time is running out for him.
Left-back — Paul Dixon will play there. Ray has shown faith in him by handing him the captain’s armband if Sean Dillon hasn’t started and “Dicker” has responded with the kind of displays that were a mark of his first spell at United.
Holding midfield — No question about this area. Getting Willo Flood back from Aberdeen was a major coup and the 31-year-old will have a vital role to play, sitting deep and providing cover for the defence as well as support for the attacking players.
Holding midfield — Next to Flood will be Stewart Murdoch. The former Ross County man has made an impressive start to his time in tangerine and the last couple of games he’s built an instant understanding with Flood. The engine room looks strong.
Right-midfield — Cammy Smith, Blair Spittal and Tope Obadeyi can all operate there or in an attacking role on the left. Right now it looks like Smith, on a season-long loan from Aberdeen, could start the league campaign there.
Central-midfield — Scott Fraser and new man Nick van der Velden have both shown up well when operating just behind the main striker. My hunch is Fraser will be handed that creative role and it’s one he can shine in.
Left-midfield — If Smith plays on the right it will be between Obadeyi and Spittal for the left. It’s a hard one to call but, based on game time so far, it might just be the developing Spittal who claims a place in the starting line-up against the Doonhamers.
Striker — Simon Murray has featured there a lot in the League Cup and grabbed an excellent hat-trick in the 6-1 drubbing of Cowdenbeath last midweek. Even so, don’t be surprised if Dutchman Van der Velden is pushed right up top, particularly if young Fraser is handed that creative role just in behind.
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.