James Keatings is adamant Dundee United will “click” despite a dismal display against Dumbarton on Saturday.
The Tangerines toiled all afternoon against a Sons team that have been a real thorn in their side since the Tannadice men were relegated to the Championship, also winning twice and drawing once against them last season.
United certainly tested the patience of their supporters, some of whom booed the players off the pitch at both half-time and at the final whistle.
The jeers weren’t unexpected as substitute Keatings supplied the only highlight for the home side when he fired home a terrific freekick with just three minutes remaining to rescue a point from a match that appeared to be slipping away from them.
However, the goalscorer is confident that United will do much better in the weeks and months ahead.
Keatings said: “We wanted to win but obviously it wasn’t to be.
“I’m glad that I came on and managed to get the goal that got us a point.
“However, I would rather the team got the three points than I had scored.
“The most important thing is getting a win but we only managed to get one point.
“I still think there is positivity at the club coming through from the summer.
“Obviously, we are not quite cutting it at the moment and it’s been a tough few weeks for us.
“We have had injuries and the team has been changed – stuff like that.
“So it’s about finding the right balance and I’m sure that in the weeks to come we will find that.
“We know we will click.
“We have a lot of good players in all areas of the pitch and it would be a crime if the team didn’t gel.
“So we fully believe in ourselves and the players around about us.”
Asked if the draw felt like a defeat, the former Hibs player replied: “Yes, it definitely did.
“We were at home in front of our own fans and we should be winning all our games at home.
“We should be making this place a fortress and every team scared to come here and play us.
“That is what we are aiming to do.
“Instead, we only got a draw and a disappointing display.”
It was put to Keatings that United are in serious need of a big performance – they travel to face Falkirk on Saturday – to reassure their fans that this season isn’t going to be a real slog.
He said: “You are always hunting for that perfect performance but it could take a scrappy win to get us back on track.
“That’s what we are looking for.
“I’m sure there will be a lot more better performances than we have shown so far.
“We are favourites to win this league and have that burden on us.
“The fans are coming here and they are obviously expecting a lot more from us.
“It’s not just them who are expecting a lot more – the players are as well.
“We were all sitting in that dressing room disappointed.
“We walked off that pitch after not giving the kind of performance we should have given the fans.
“I totally understand their frustration.
“It’s not as if we haven’t been working hard all week.
“Also, the manager has been brilliant with us
“He set us a task and the team didn’t manage to achieve that.
“All the boys and the manager will continue to work hard and I’m sure we will get it right.”
