Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara admits his players are really enjoying the comforts of home after banishing the Tannadice fear factor.
The Tangerines currently boast the best home record in the Premiership having won nine, drawn one with just a solitary defeat to Aberdeen this season.
That is in sharp contrast to United’s form in the City of Discovery after McNamara took over as boss in 2013 when they often struggled.
Now, the manager is looking for his side to continue their good run at home tomorrow against St Johnstone as United look to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Kilmarnock.
McNamara said: “We’re back at home which is a positive. We’ve got three important games coming up so hopefully we’ll get the nine points.
“As it stands, I think we’ve got the best home record in the league.
“That is obviously pleasing.
“It’s important we keep that momentum going, starting with a difficult match on Saturday.
“It’s not just about pride. It’s about believing you can do it.
“When we first came in, we had a real problem winning matches at home.
“But we’ve turned that around and have got a good record now.
“Now we’ve got our home form going, we just need to sort our away form out.
“If we can do that, then we should be doing all right.
“I think there were a number of things that didn’t help the home form to begin with.
“There was fear and expectations. But I think the lads enjoy playing at home now.
“Obviously the crowd and the backing they get means it’s been a good turnaround for us.”
That home advantage will be crucial once again tomorrow against a St Johnstone side who have caused United no end of trouble over the last couple of seasons.
Saints beat the Tangerines at McDiarmid in December and they ran league leaders Celtic close at the same venue last weekend.
So McNamara is well aware that his players are in for a difficult game.
He said: “When you’re playing them you have to be up for the battle.
“You can see their battling qualities against Celtic last weekend when they fought right until the end.
“In the game the last time at McDiarmid Park, we were 1-0 up and lost so it’s important we see things through.
“It’s a bit like last Saturday at Kilmarnock, making sure we don’t give them (Saints) any encouragement.
“We’ve got to keep our discipline and not get frustrated.”
When asked if he was thinking about making changes following the defeat at Rugby Park, McNamara said: “Possibly, and we have three games in the space of a week.
“It’s about keeping everybody fresh and raring to go.”
United fans are already looking forward to next month’s triple header with Celtic that includes the League Cup Final.
However, McNamara insists his players’ focus is on the matches immediately in front of them.
He said: “We’re not talking about the Celtic games.
“We’re concentrating firstly on Saturday.
“There are a lot of games to be played before we start worrying about the Celtic matches.”
United welcome back Jarek Fojut from suspension for the St Johnstone game but will be without his fellow centre-half Callum Morris who injured his thigh against Kilmarnock.
However, there was better news on two long-term injury victims who are edging closer to a first-team return.
McNamara added: “It is good to have Jarek back but we are still assessing how long Callum will be out for.
“John Souttar and Mario Bilate both played for the under-20s during the week.
“Mario played 45 minutes and Soapy managed to get 90.
“They both came through it well so it’s pleasing to see them out playing again.
“I think they’re about a couple of weeks away (from a first-team return).
“I would like to give them another couple of games and they should be up there.”