Dundee boss Paul Hartley faces one of the biggest tests of his managerial career so far this week.
He certainly did not hold back following the desperately disappointing defeat at the hands of St Mirren saying: “I thought it was a really poor performance, probably the worst of the season so far.”
Now, he somehow has to sort things out and restore confidence before the derby at Tannadice against United and he only has three days in which to do so.
In truth, Dundee have not performed well in weeks, with their last league win coming all the way back on November 1 at Kilmarnock.
At the moment, the Dark Blues look a pale shadow of the side that won a barrow load of plaudits earlier in the season for their slick, free-flowing attractive football.
Against the Buddies, they created relatively few chances and once again striker David Clarkson, who was netting for fun in November, was starved of opportunities.
Dundee simply have to work out a way to help the former Scotland front man get back on the score sheet.
Hartley’s side is also missing Paul McGowan’s midfield bite and energy although whether he will have recovered from injury in time to face United remains to be seen.
All in all, the manager has his work cut out this week.