Dumbarton defeat was United wake-up call, says McKinnon

Boss believes players are adapting to Championship life

“We realise that you can’t win 6-0 in games and play brilliant football every week. There are times when you really need to dig in,” said McKinnon. “This is a tough league. “We found that out at Dumbarton earlier this season when it was horrible – long grass, windy, they had 10 men behind the ball and we gave away a penalty. That defeat was our own fault that day and I think that was a wake-up call.

“However, I would say that everybody knows what it’s about now. Throughout the whole team – starting with guys like William Edjenguele and Frank van der Struijk in defence – they all get it.

“Everybody grasps the idea that they have to work hard.

“You only have to look at some of the results in our division to see that you can’t take anything for granted. For example, who would have predicted that win for Morton down at Queen of the South?

“It’s a tough league to be in and across the whole club – from the chairman to the fans – I think we all realise that you have to fight for every point. Indeed, I would say it could even be easier to play in the Premiership than it is in the Championship at times.

“I think I knew what it would take because of my previous experience of the division and my job has been getting that message across.

“I thought it would take time and it has taken time. Now, though, it’s sunk in and we find ourselves only three points off the top of the league and we are looking to kick on.”

The 2-0 win away to St Mirren last weekend turned out to be a great result for the Tangerines, accompanied as it was by the Doonhamers’ shock 5-0 loss to Morton and Hibs’ goalless draw against Raith Rovers.

McKinnon has sensed a real feelgood factor at the club this week and hopes that continues into the Tannadice clash with the Sons on Saturday.

“It turned out to be a good weekend for us,” he said.

“The atmosphere at the club has been brilliant. I was just sitting in my office listening to the boys chatting away and it was mad. I think all the new signings – lads like William, Frank, Nick van der Velden and Tony Andreu – are really settling in brilliantly.

“They are now fully integrated into the squad. It has taken a bit of time but you can now see a real togetherness there. I can’t comment on what has gone on before but I just think there is a ‘we’re all in this together’ attitude.”

Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon feels the penny has final dropped among his players.

They now all know what it takes to be successful in the Championship.

The Tangerines have slowly but surely played themselves into a challenging position, sitting just three points off league-leading Hibs and Queen of the South.

A home win against Dumbarton on Saturday would further enhance the belief that United are a team on the up after a mixed beginning to life after the trauma of relegation from the Premiership.

What is really encouraging for McKinnon is that he is fully confident that everyone at Tannadice knows what is required to prosper in a division long regarded as the most competitive in Scotland.

The United manager said: “The players have been learning slowly but surely what is needed to win matches in the Championship.”