Dundee United’s Paul Dixon admits familiarity is breeding success as the raft of new players who arrived at the club during the summer start clicking into gear together.
Manager Ray McKinnon faced a major rebuilding job when he took over as Tangerines boss after inheriting a threadbare squad.
He has carefully added ever since with the likes of Stewart Murdoch, Cammy Bell, Cammy Smith, Lewis Toshney, Tope Obadeyi, William Edjenguele, Tony Andreu, Frank Van Der Struijk, Nick Van der Velden and not forgetting the return of the prodigal Willo Flood all being drafted in.
Now, Dixon, who is in his second spell with the club, believes United are really starting to gel and build momentum, something which he hopes will continue when they travel to face St Mirren today.
The 29-year-old said: “The new lads have settled in now, I think.
“They have had a few games and I think that is starting to show.
“Even if there are only two or three players coming in, they need time to settle but the amount of lads we brought in, it was always going to take a while.
“I don’t think it has been a bad start to the season at all but we are slowly but surely building up the momentum that we are looking for.
“Hopefully that can continue. We just need to focus on ourselves and keep it going.
“Obviously we will try to go on a wee run and win as many games as possible.”
However, Dixon is wary of the trip to Paisley to face a St Mirren side that will have Jack Ross in the home dug-out for his first game as Buddies boss.
The full-back said: “They will have Jack Ross in so you would guess we will see the new-manager effect.
“Generally, teams raise their game and change their fortunes when that happens.
“I have been there myself as part of teams that have done it.
“It’s difficult to explain but it just happens so we will have to be prepared for that.
“They have players there like Andy Webster and Jamie Langfield. There are two straight away with years and years of experience at the highest level so it is surprising they have had a sticky start.
“But they beat Hibs in the cup last week, which will give them confidence as well.”
United, though, could be bolstered by the return of key players from injury with goalie Bell, Flood and Obadeyi poised to make comebacks while Toshney is making good progress.
Dixon added: “It means there is competition for places which is what you need in a team no matter where you are in the league.
“It keeps people on their toes and performing at their best.”
When Hibs won their first five league games of the season, many pundits thought Neil Lennon’s side would race away with the Championship.
However, Dixon knew it was far too early to come to that rash conclusion.
He said: “I think the first five games, Hibs won but they have stuttered ever so slightly.
“People might have thought they would have run away with it but then they have lost a game, drawn a couple and other teams are suddenly right in there.
“It’s like most leagues – one or two wins can shoot you right up the table especially at this stage of the season.”
