IAN ROACHE

As most of my long-suffering teachers quickly discovered, I have always preferred words to numbers.

Nevertheless, let’s indulge in some Courier Countdown and see just what the arithmetic says about Dundee United’s promotion campaign.

The Tangerines currently have 59 points at the top of the Championship.

Win every one of their remaining games (I know that doesn’t seem likely at the moment but stay with me) and they reach 83 points.

Second-placed Inverness Caley Thistle sit on 42 points and have 10 games to go. That means the Highlanders can get to 72 with a perfect finish to the season.

The two teams will face each other on Friday April 10 in the Highlands so one or both will drop points that night.

My, admittedly dodgy, workings tell me that United need four wins and a draw – or 13 points if you prefer – to be guaranteed automatic promotion because of their vastly superior goal difference (plus-30 to Caley’s plus-five).

Of course, United’s title target will decrease should Inverness drop points along the way.

Third-placed Ayr United can reach 70 points with a 100% finale, while Dundee in fourth spot can only make it to 68.

Those sides play each other again at Dens tomorrow.

The Tangerines’ remaining matches are: Morton (A) on Saturday, Alloa (H) on March 21, Arbroath (A) on the 27th, Queen of the South (H) on April 3, Inverness (A) on the 10th, Dunfermline (H) on the 18th, Dundee (A) on the 24th and Ayr (H) to finish the campaign on May 2.

That means United should, if they can rediscover their form, be targeting the Queens fixture at Tannadice for their flag day if ICT drop points or the trip to Inverness the following week if they don’t.

I think that all adds up but, as I’ve admitted, numbers were never my thing.