Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon insists the league table will only be worth a look when the tinsel and decorations come out.
The Tangerines go into a tricky trip to East End Park tomorrow to play Dunfermline needing a win to avoid falling further behind in the promotion race.
The Championship season is only four games old but already leaders Hibs are seven points better off than United with 12 to their five, while Raith Rovers and Queen of the South are each five ahead of McKinnon’s side.
Obviously, he would like to see the gap narrow as soon as possible but McKinnon isn’t placing too much importance on the standings this early in the campaign.
He feels it will be Christmas-time before they become really significant.
The Tannadice boss said: “Honestly, I am not interested in looking at the league table right now.
“When we get everybody fit and playing every week, then we will be spot on.
“Players like Frank van der Struijk and William Edjenguele still need to get properly fit.
“We are trying to bed 10 new players into a new team in a period of six to eight weeks, which is hard.
“We are still going through that process.
“I still think, though, that we’ve got enough to be competitive – definitely.
“We have played a lot of good football already this season and I feel it’s coming together so I’m really pleased.
“It’s more important where we are at Christmas or the end of the year.
“It’s about how we get there and we’re not going to get there right now.
“When everybody is gelling and the fitness levels are right up where they should be, we will be absolutely fine.”
McKinnon’s attempt to put his new defenders through intensive training was hampered by a groin strain suffered by Van der Striuk that makes him doubtful for the Pars game.
The United manager said: “It’s an entirely new defence.
“We have done a lot of good work and it was a hard session for the defenders the other day.
“It was just about defending.
“Frank missed that because his groin is a bit tight and that’s a problem when you’re trying to get players up to speed because they can pick up wee niggles.
“He hadn’t played in a long time until we faced Peterhead last week so it’s going to take time for everyone to get up to speed.”
United, of course, already boast a victory over Dunfermline this season, a 2-0 home victory in the group stages of the Betfred Cup.
However, the Pars had a few key men missing for that one and have made signings since as well.
Therefore, McKinnon is expecting the Fifers to be even tougher opponents this time.
He added: “They are a decent side and they have made a few good signings, like Nicky Clark and John Herron.
“It will be a different Dunfermline team from the one which we beat in the cup at Tannadice earlier in the season.
“I expect a tough game and there will be a big crowd too.
“They’ve done well and remember last season when they beat Ross County and Dundee.
“They are a more than capable team on their own patch.
“We need to be at our best to make sure we take something out of it.”