Neilsen’s men need to be at best

It is far too early for definitive statements. That was the case a fortnight ago when Dundee United thrashed their city rivals to open up a gap of seven points between the two sides.

And it is also the case after their 100% record was shattered by an Ayr United team who gave a very good impression of a group of footballers coping just fine without Lawrence Shankland. It is still possible that the Championship procession some were predicting could happen.

United were way below their best. But had they scored rather than hit the woodwork just before Ayr’s second goal, they probably would have taken something out of this contest.

And, compared to some of the performances against Ayr over the last couple of seasons, this wasn’t in the unmitigated disaster category.

The Tangerines are perfectly capable of winning their next five games and putting clear blue water between themselves and the rest again.

However, it is also possible that this could become a scrap.

Ayr will feel they are United’s equal, not just in terms of points, and confidence at Somerset Park will soar on the back of what happened at the weekend.

And the relief at this scoreline will certainly have been felt in the home dressing room at Dens Park.

Dundee players will talk about only being concerned with their own result but, believe me, this would have been the first one that they would have asked to hear after beating Alloa.

What can be said definitively after Saturday’s game is that United aren’t so far in front in terms of 1 to 11 quality that they can beat decent sides like Ayr with their B or C game.

The aggressive press, dynamism, accurate passing and clinical finishing that was the hallmark of the 6-2 at Tannadice and their other league wins need to return quickly.

We will find out in the next few weeks what type of title race the Championship can expect.

We will find out in the next few weeks what type of title race to expect.

COMMENT ERIC NICOLSON