Home form key to Tangerines’ push for promotion: Flood

Tannadice holds the key to success for Dundee United this season, according to midfielder Willo Flood.

The wee Irishman believes their home form will make or break the Tangerines’ promotion challenge in the Championship.

They have made an encouraging start on their own patch so far, winning four matches, drawing one, losing none and scoring 15 goals in the process.

Flood insists that should ensure United have plenty of confidence going into today’s tricky clash against leagueleading visitors Raith Rovers.

He said: “I am sure Raith will come and have a go because they are high on confidence but we are going into this game knowing that our home form has been really good.

“We haven’t just won games here – we have steamrollered teams. Against a Premiership side like Partick, who I think will do well this season, we controlled the game from early on.

“We must make sure that when teams come to Tannadice they are on the back-foot. I do believe that some sides will be looking forward to coming here and saying: ‘let’s beat them.’

“However, I also think that when we do get at the opposition we look like causing them problems and scoring goals.

“Now it’s is up to us to get the club back up where it belongs and a key element of that will be having good home form. So we have to take the game to Raith.

“I expect them to come out but even if they don’t we need to make sure we do enough to win. I think a big thing for us this season is scoring the first goal.

“For me, if we start well and get ahead that will make such a difference. We have to find a way to go and get the victory we want.”

Playing a major role already have been the United supporters, who have been turning out in great numbers.

That is something that has been noticed and appreciated by the players.

Flood added: “The fans have been really good to us.

“I was at a few games last season and there was a lot of negativity about the place on the pitch and up on the terracing. But I think the manager has brought the club together.

“The players going out and getting results will help that even more but we know we have a long way to go to get the club back in the top division.

“We are on the right path but it’s a long path.”

Flood was on target for the first time this season as the Tangerines beat Ayr United 3-0 last Saturday to get themselves back on track following the terrible loss at Dumbarton.

He was in the right place at the right time, ghosting into the box to convert a cross from Tope Obadeyi that put the seal on a welcome win.

However, Flood fell short of claiming that he will be finding the net on a regular basis.

Instead, a banter battle with a certain coach at the club seemed to be on his mind.

Flood said: “I don’t know about setting targets but Dave Bowman only ever managed three in a season when he was playing.

“So if I beat him I will be extremely happy about that.”

Willo Flood has hailed United’s Tannadice form.