In modern life, never mind football, perception seems to be everything.
As someone who prefers substance to spin, in many ways that saddens me.
No point in moaning about it. It is what it is and we just have to get on with it.
And to turn that into a positive, I’m hugely encouraged by the signings Dundee United have made, or are trying to, this summer.
As I wrote last week, ultimately new boss Ray McKinnon will be judged on results.
That’s substance.
But in a time of year when much of football is akin to a phoney war — i.e. before a ball is kicked in anger — he continues to make all the right moves.
By appointing Neil Lennon as manager, Hibs have thrown down the gauntlet.
They’ve sent out a clear message to the rest of the Championship, one that says they regard themselves as top dogs.
The Hibees clearly believe they remain a Premiership club in all but name and are going to operate as such.
That’s not a criticism and well done to them for that.
But it was important United made a response and made the right one.
I feel the signings completed so far or that are about to be, show the Tangerines are up for the fight.
Goalkeeper Cammy Bell and midfielder Willo Flood are top-flight performers who will not want to be hanging around in the second tier for long.
Stewart Murdoch, another midfielder, comes to Tannadice on the back of a couple of seasons at Ross County and Fleetwood where he’s enjoyed success.
He’s determined that positive run will continue at Tannadice.
And in Lewis Toshney, McKinnon has his hands on a player who is now ready to transform undoubted potential into a decent level of performance.
These arrivals should help convince fans that whatever the continuing problems off the park in the wake of relegation, everyone at Tannadice is working hard to make sure the period out of the Premiership is as short as possible.
Arabs were, understandably, glad to see the back of last season.
It was horrible.
At least now they can begin to look forward to the new campaign.
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