Willo Flood wants to see Dundee United make their Championship rivals pay for not making the most of what was always likely to be a slow start to the season for the Tangerines.
And the Irishman believes, from St Mirren, Ray McKinnon’s fast-improving team can do just that.
United are lying fifth, six points behind surprise leaders Queen of the South but, with three-quarters of the campaign to go, that’s a deficit that can soon disappear.
While he’s taking nothing for granted, Flood does have a strong feeling he and his team-mates are ready to start eating into it.
“I look at the league table and I hear people saying these teams above us are doing great. But they’re not doing that great, they’re only a few points ahead of us,” he said.
“For me, if we can get a run together, which I definitely think we can, then I’m sure we’ll be there or thereabouts.
“So far, we’ve been a little bit stop-start, though I think we should have more points, but I think when we get on a run teams had better watch out.
“Already we’ve shown when we’re on our game, we’re good going forward and tight at the back, we can beat anyone — not just in this division but in the one above as well.”
A thigh injury means he’s had to view the last four matches from the stand — but that watching brief has convinced him this rebuilt team is close to firing on all cylinders.
“We’re a new team and we’ve been hit by more injuries than anyone else in the league but it’s coming together.
“The boys are coming on, they’ve been grinding out results and a few of them are starting to hit top form.”
Not that he expects the three points this afternoon to be easy to come by. The midfielder knows what to expect from a team that’s just appointed a new manager in Jack Ross and, even without that twist, rates the Buddies.
“I’ve played against teams in their situation a few times now in my career. A new manager comes in and you can be guaranteed they’ll get a lift.
“And they had a good result last week against a strong Hibs team as well, so they are going into the game with a lot of confidence.
“You look at their personnel and they have a strong squad, a few Premiership players who’ve played at an even higher level. For me, their league position is false at this moment in time.
“But we need to be worrying about ourselves, we don’t need to be anxious about the other teams.”
And the 31-year-old is looking to get back on the pitch again following an agonising few weeks on the sidelines after he hurt a thigh in last month’s defeat at Falkirk.
“It was frustrating being out because, since I’ve been back at the club, I’ve been enjoying my football and I feel my performances have been good.
“It was very annoying because I just played a nothing-ball, it was a long one, and I just felt the top of my thigh go.
“I’m feeling good now. I’ve been back training with the lads the past few days and fingers crossed I’m OK.”
On the subject of injuries, Flood reckons midfield partner Stewart Murdoch will come back strongly from the torn ligament that’s going to rule him out until next year.
“I feel for Murdo because he was out for a while then comes back for one game and gets a bad injury.
“But he’s a hard worker and he will come back and do a very good job for us.
“I know how he’s feeling right now because I went to Middlesbrough and, eight games in, I did my cruciate.
“There is nothing worse that can happen than something like that when you’re at a new club but, like I’m saying, he will come back strong and be a big player.”
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