Dundee United must take care of their own job before looking at results elsewhere, insist manager Robbie Neilson.
On paper, the Tangerines face the easier fixture of the Championship’s three title-chasing teams this weekend.
While Neilson’s men travel to play third-bottom Alloa, league leaders Ross County host Inverness Caley Thistle in a Highland derby and Ayr United go to Queen of the South, where they were thrashed 5-0 on September 1.
However, there will be no one at United taking their opponents, especially as the Wasps have held them to a 1-1 draw at Recreation Park already this season.
Also, you have the plastic pitch to factor in, with the Tangerines choosing to train on an artificial surface all week in order to prepare for the match.
Neilson said: “It has been a difficult season for everyone at the club.
“There has been a change of manager and a change of ownership as well.
“It has been a tough period but we are still close and I think if we can get the three points we can see what happens in the Highland derby and you have Ayr down at Queen of the South.
“Those are two tough games for the teams above us.
“We would hope that somebody slips up and we can take advantage of that but first of all we need to take care of our own job.
“It was good to get a result last Saturday against Falkirk and I thought the performance was good.
“We have to carry that forward into this game, although we know it is going to be tough.
“The pitch down there is tight and they use the astro well, training on it a couple of times a week.
“The pitch runs differently so it’s always difficult.
“Ross County and Ayr both had tight wins down there so it’s really a case of going there and getting the points.
“I think Alloa are a very good team.
“We played against them at Tannadice and they passed the ball really well.
“They knew how to play, had a good understanding and have a lot of experience in the team as well. They have players who have played at this level for a long, long time.
“So they what it takes to win games.
“I have said in the past that these are the matches that decide who wins leagues.
“You need to get the victory and it doesn’t matter if it is a 1-0 or a 3-2 – you need to get the points and get back up the road.
“It is a tough place to go because of the surface and the fact that our opponents are used to it and the pressure is on us because we are expected to go there and win.”
Neilson, who dismissed rumours linking him with Gavin Reilly of Bristol Rovers and St Johnstone’s Stefan Scougall, is ready to make moves when the transfer window opens next week.
He said: “Looking from the outside, I knew it was a good squad here.
“It has been a case of trying to get things going.
“I think we have done all right.
“We still have a lot of work to do here, though, and it’s not been brilliant.
“What happens now is that every player who is out of contract and that teams are hoping to move on gets put out to you.
“We have a list of players who we would like to get in and we are working on that.”
Meanwhile, Neilson will wait until today to assess the fitness of midfielder Fraser Fyvie, who came off injured in the 2-1 win over Falkirk.
