If psychological warfare is a big part of winning a league, Dundee United can triumph a major battle by going into December no more than a point off the top of the Championship.
Beat Ayr at Tannadice on Friday and the Tangerines know that’s the worst position they can be in after the completion of the weekend fixtures.
A superior goal difference means barring a massive home win at Tannadice, the Honest Men would still be in front of Robbie Neilson’s men.
And if Ross County beat Dunfermline today and Alloa a week later, they’ll be back on top, but only by that single point.
And if mind games are what you’re into, you’d have to say that scenario would leave it very much advantage United.
United’s season didn’t really get going until October, while County and Ayr have been getting plenty plaudits for their fine form over the first four months of the league campaign.
However, to see the Tannadice men looming so large on their shoulders, must be a worry for the teams from the north and south west.
United striker Nicky Clark accepts that might well be the case but, for him, the only games that matter are not in his head, but the ones played on the pitch.
The 27-year-old is happy to simply focus on what he and his team-mates have been doing of late – winning matches.
“If other teams are looking at us and noticing how well we’re doing that’s good but we just concentrate on ourselves,” said the man who returned to the starting line-up against Alloa on Tuesday.
“We know we are on a good run and it is down to us to keep that going. It’s a tight league and everybody keeps beating everybody else.
“We need to keep going and get three points wherever we can, others can worry about that if they want.”
Even so, the summer arrival from Dunfermline admits to draw level with a team who looked almost out of sight just under two months ago would be a boost.
“We know if we go and win against Ayr we will be level with the team who are top of the league right now, so that’s a massive incentive for us.
“We were eight points behind when the manager came in and if we have wiped that out by next Friday it would be a big achievement.
“It shows the difference in the team now but what is most important is we keep working hard in training every day and get the points at the weekends.”
That difference he refers to meant his recall to the starting XI took him by surprise, though it was one he was ready for.
“It was brilliant to be back on from the start but to be honest I wasn’t expecting it because the boys have been doing brilliant.
“When you get your chance it’s important you take it and I was delighted to get 90 minutes and help out with a goal.
“My last start was Queen of the South away in the second league game of the season, so the next one has been a long time in coming.
“I picked up an injury and that set me back for a while but I’ve been working hard in training to get my fitness back up.
“When you’ve been out you need to get yourself prepared for when you do come back but, obviously, the boys have been great and I did think I might have had to wait a bit longer than this.
“It’s a massive squad here and a great squad as well. You see that with the boys who’ve come into the team and done well.
“On Tuesday you had Craig Curran coming on and scoring the fourth goal for us late on to make sure of the points.”
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