Ray McKinnon confident United will come through ‘testing time'

McKinnon confident consistency in team selection will bring marked improvement

Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon has admitted that his team are going through a “testing” time.

The Tangerines may sit only two points off the top of the Championship, but poor displays and a chronic lack of goals have raised real concerns.

They have scored only five times in six league games, compared to leagueleading Dunfermline’s 18.

McKinnon has stated that he can handle any pressure that comes his way and he is confident his players are close to getting it right on the pitch.

He also believes that he would be more worried if they were playing teams off the park but not getting the points they deserved.

McKinnon, whose men face Morton at home on Saturday, said: “It has been an unusual start to the season.

“I would like to think that we are flying, but we are not.

“We are gradually getting there and we will get there once we have everyone right at it and have consistency (of selection).

“Maybe the other teams have found their own consistency, for example Dunfermline are playing the same frontmen every week. We haven’t had that.

“I think we are better organised and fitter than we were so there is a positive foundation on which we can build.

“This is a testing period but I would be worried if we were flying but still struggling – for example, if we had everyone on song and the team selection bang on every week (but not winning).”

The 0-0 draw at Falkirk last weekend offered some encouragement by way of an improved performance, if only securing one point.

“I saw real positives there on Saturday, particularly the team togetherness,” he added.

“I thought that was excellent because they were fighting for each other and nobody was switching off when we didn’t have the ball.

“Also, I am not a massive one for statistics but everybody’s stats were up there.

“They all ran 11 kilometres plus, which tells you that the likes of Fraser Fyvie, Jordie Briels and Scott McDonald are all getting fitter.

“We just need to build on that performance-wise.

“I also think we need to be that wee bit more confident in front of goal.

“Scott McDonald can’t do it on his own so we need people arriving into the box and chipping in with goals.”

Meanwhile, McKinnon knows what to expect from the Greenock side, who have beaten the Pars and Queen of the South in their last two games.

He said: “We had them watched last weekend and they certainly have a bit of firepower.

“They will come to Tannadice looking to put on a good show.

“It will be a tough game but our record is good against them and we are at home, where we have a good record.”

“I think we are better organised and fitter than we were so there is a positive foundation on which we can build. RAY MCKINNON

Picture: SNS. Scott McDonald: getting fitter but still in need of more support from his colleagues.