Dundee United coach Darren Jackson has declared he would rather have the points in the bag than an unbeaten record.
Ahead of the Dens derby against Dundee on Sunday, Jackson acknowledged the fine start made to the season by newly-promoted Dundee.
Paul Hartley’s men are the only team in the Premiership yet to lose a game but, as Jackson pointed out, it is United who sit joint top of the table, three points clear of their city rivals.
The former Scotland midfielder, who sampled derbies with United, Celtic, Hibs, Hearts and Newcastle United, said: “A lot has been made of the fact they are unbeaten but I would rather be three points better off.
“It must be a nice statistic for Dundee, especially as they have played Celtic, but it plays on your mind and you think: ‘Who is going to beat us? When are we going to lose?’
“Their unbeaten run has to go some time and that’s what they will be thinking.”
Jackson gave the Dens men a awarm welcome back to the top flight, saying: “Dundee have been down for a little while and we are delighted they are back up and doing very well but if we go and play our game we are confident we can get the right result.
“When people ask if I want Dundee in the top flight my answer is always ‘of course’.
“It’s great to have the fixture and it’s great for the boys in the dressing room to see how they are at handling the derby occasion.
“Derbies are nerve-wracking but they are also fantastic to play in.”
Jackson has a wealth of experience of how much pressure players can be under to win when neighbours clash.
He added: “I have always said the Old Firm games are, for me, the biggest in the world.
“However, they are not to the Dundee people, nor the Edinburgh people, nor the Geordies.
“This derby is the biggest game for United fans and it is also the biggest game for us as a club.
“It’s a massive match and I’m sure our boys will be able to handle it on the day.
“I have been lucky enough to play in a few derbies and they are magic. I loved playing in them and I was lucky enough to win a few.
“I liked going to Dens Park when I was a United player because the away fans were usually noisier.
“You do only get three points for a win just like any other game but it’s nice to beat your local rivals.
“The fans can go and gloat at work all week and the boys can be buzzing on the training pitch.
“Also, there is the walk across the road which nobody else in football has. It’s unique to the Dundee derby and a bit of fun.”
Jackson may have mainly enjoyed success in derbies but when he was at Hibs he endured a drought.
With Dundee having not beaten United since November 6, 2004, he was asked if that long wait will be in the thoughts of the Dundee players come Sunday.
“We had a poor run against Hearts when I was at Hibs and that can play on your mind,” he said.
“It was 21 games without a win and it was rammed down the Hibs players’ throats at the time.
“But you’ve just got to go on the park and handle things like that.
“The Dundee players can’t go out and think ‘We haven’t won for ‘X’ number of derbies because if you go in with that attitude then you’ll lose.
“But at times it was on your mind because it was such a big thing at Hibs.
“When it’s mentioned all the time it can affect a team.”
Despite just coming up from the Championship, Jackson was one of those people who expected Dundee to do as well as they have done so far.
He added: “Their manager Paul Hartley has brought in good footballers, really good footballers.
“Look at Kevin Thomson, Gary Harkins, Paul McGowan–all experienced players and good footballers–and the boys he’s brought in from the lower leagues have been exceptional for them as well.
We know they have players we need to stop but it’s more about what we do on the day and how our players perform.
“Also, there is the enthusiasm of being back in the top flight for Dundee so I am not surprised at how well they have done.”
Meanwhile, United fans can expect to see both Ryan Dow and Stuart Armstrong return to action.
Both have been injured but should give the Tangerines, who will be without suspended striker Nadir Ciftci, a major boost by declaring themselves fit for the derby.
Jackson said: “The injured boys have done a bit of training but it’s too early to make a call on them.
“They haven’t taken part in full training yet so it will be later in the week before we know if they can play or not.
“You’re always hopeful but last week we were hopeful of Stuart Armstrong being ready and he took a wee knock.
“Both Stuart and Dowser play a big part in our squad so it’s a case of fingers crossed for Sunday.”