Dundee United midfielder Charlie Telfer is confident the Tangerines have the quality required to break down stubborn opposition.
Having faced two banks of four at Dumbarton last weekend and come up against a dogged Queen of the South side on opening day, United’s inability to get in behind their rivals has left them with just one point from two Championship games.
Ayr United are the visitors to Tannadice this afternoon and you would not be insulting Ian McCall’s players if you suggested they might sit back and let United come at them.
Telfer, though, is backing his teammates to find a way through.
“It’s difficult because teams are asking us to break them down and the quality in this league is really good,” said the former Rangers midfielder.
“We will come up against that, especially when we are playing at Tannadice, but it is up to us to find a way to get through that.
“We have the quality to do it.
“The players here are capable of winning games and we have a few individuals capable of special play to get us there.
“It is also very early in the season and boys are still settling into the team and getting their fitness levels right up.
“I’m sure that once we do that we will break teams down and win games.
“We just have to forget about last weekend’s defeat down at Dumbarton and bounce back as quickly as we can.
“It was a tough game down there but we can take the positives from the Partick Thistle match in the Betfred Cup.
“We were really good that night and I think maybe it left its mark on us because there were a few tired legs.
“But we have had a good week’s training behind us now and can’t wait to get going again.”
Telfer arrived two years ago for £200,000 from Ibrox but he struggled in his first season and was then put out on loan to Livingston.
He is now determined to make his mark on what he still feels can be a United promotion challenge.
“Personally, I just want to get back playing regularly this season,” he said.
“It is a very competitive squad this year so it will be difficult to get into the team but when I do I just want to show the manager what I can do.
“It has been a tough couple of years.
“I knew the first season would be difficult because I’d changed clubs but last season was especially hard because I didn’t play much at the start and was then sent out on loan.
“I feel I am stronger for it now.
“A lot was expected of me because of the fee the club paid but I never really bothered about that.
“People might have had their perceptions but it didn’t affect me.
“I didn’t feel pressure and all I want to do is play games and show I’m worth a place.”
United will come up against a familiar foe this afternoon in the form of former Dundee playmaker Gary Harkins and Telfer added: “I was surprised when I saw he had moved there because he’s a fantastic player.
“But it just shows how good this league is.
“Hibs have some great players, so do we and most of the clubs have really strong squads.
“The standard of this league is very high and there’s not much of a gulf between anyone.
“So I think it will come down to who is most consistent in the end because everyone will drop points along the way.
“We have shown against Partick Thistle that we can play but the league results have been a wake-up call.
“The manager has already said that and there is nobody here who thinks this season will be plain sailing.”
