Dundee United skipper Willo Flood believes the club are now better equipped to realise their promotion dream than they were at this time last year.
The midfield veteran insists painful lessons have been taken on board from the previous campaign’s ultimate failure.
Key among them is freshening up and bolstering the squad during this month’s transfer window with Craig Slater arriving on loan from Colchester United on Wednesday while Danish front man Emil Lyng and Watford full-back Brandon Mason – another loan – were snapped up yesterday.
All three are likely come into contention for this afternoon’s crunch Championship game at Falkirk and Flood welcomed the boost they will bring.
The 32-year-old said: “This is a very tight league, that’s just the way it is.
“You can get some horrendous games in the division where you just have to grind it out.
“But the manager has prepared us for that.
“It looks like we will have a few new signings so the squad looks a lot better.”
Flood admitted he was pleased with the difference between now and the start of January last season and how it might affect the promotion push.
He added: “I think we are better equipped squad wise.
“With new signings coming in the door, it shows the club have realised that we didn’t strengthen enough last season.
“They have probably learned from their mistakes.”
Midfielder Slater, who has previously played for Kilmarnock, is someone Flood knows well and he believes the 23-year-old’s knowledge of the game in this country means he will hit the ground running for United.
He said: “I remember playing against him and I have a 100% win rate!
“Seriously though, he is a really good player who knows the Scottish leagues.
“It is good for me and every other player in the changing-room to get lads you know will do the business straight away.
“The manager also knows he can rely on him.
“He has been brought up in the Scottish game so for me it was a no-brainer for the club and a great piece of business.”
United were in desperate need of midfield reinforcements following the double whammy of losing Fraser Fyvie and Scott Fraser to season-ending injuries recently.
The latter in particular had been in superb form and Flood admitted he will be a big loss.
He said: “For me, Scott has been the best player in the division for the last two months.
“It would be like St Mirren losing Lewis Morgan – he has been that good for us.
“Scott has been absolutely brilliant so he just has to get the operation on his foot and concentrate on his rehab.
“He has a great career ahead of him and I am sure he will come back better and stronger.
“Scott has a great chance of going to the top. He just needs a bit of luck.
“If the club can keep him long-term, then they have a big asset on their hands.”
Flood added: “My position hasn’t really changed with the two lads being injured.
“The manager wants me to play more defensively, closer to the centre-backs and to be wary of counter-attacks.
“Obviously, you would want the two lads playing beside you but unfortunately we don’t have that just now.”
United will go into the game against Falkirk boosted by their 4-1 win over Brechin at Tannadice on Tuesday.
Surprisingly, the Bairns have struggled all season so far and currently sit second bottom of the Championship.
However, Flood admits he is wary of a side that still possesses a lot of quality.
The Irishman said: “It was a good win against Brechin especially after the disappointment of the St Mirren game.
“I thought we controlled the first half without really troubling them then once we conceded a goal we maybe let our performances levels drop so it was good for us to go on and win so convincingly.
“The place is in high spirits at the moment.
“The manager never lets wins or defeats get us too up or too down.
“It is Falkirk next and I have been very surprised with their form.
“The last three years, they have been there or thereabouts. Obviously, it was a big shock to see Peter Houston – a former manager of mine who I have a lot of time for – going.
“That seems to have taken its toll on the team but I am sure in time Paul Hartley will get it right.
“When you look at their team, they still have good players.
“I wouldn’t be surprised come the end of the season if they are in the play-offs.”
