Robbie Neilson can sense that his Dundee United players are relishing the role of hunters.
But he has warned that any loss of focus could undo the good work that has dragged the Tangerines to within just two points of Championship leaders Ross County.
Neilson, who hopes to welcome Osman Sow and Mark Connolly back into his squad for tomorrow’s clash with Queen of the South, said: “I feel there is a bit of momentum building but you have to continue that be winning games.
“If we are going to keep it going, we need to start well against Queen of the South and build on it.
“I have been in dressing-rooms before where you are hunting someone down, trying to get into the top six or into Europe.
“When you are involved you can feel it build, you can see players starting to enjoy the battles.
“But you can’t get too carried away with it and lose focus on the next game because that’s where the problems lie.
“I think the team are enjoying it and the fans are certainly enjoying it.
“But we can’t afford to enjoy it too much.
“After the game on Tuesday we enjoyed it, the dressing-room was very good, but the next day it’s straight back into looking at Saturday’s game.
“That is the way it’s got to be.”
Whether United’s three wins on the bounce have had an impact on the Ross County mindset isn’t a concern of Neilson just yet.
“I don’t know about Ross County,” he said.
“I am not aware of what’s going on there so it’s just a case of us focusing on ourselves.
“We will just go about our business and they will go about theirs – then what will be will be at the end of the season.”
There couldn’t be a starker contrast in form going into tomorrow’s game at Tannadice – United brimming with confidence and the Queens players now looking over their shoulders at the relegation battle thanks to a seven-game losing streak.
“The Championship is a difficult league,” said Neilson. “Everyone knows that.
“Everyone is capable of beating each other. Dunfermline had been on a very good run before we went there and we won.
“All the teams in this division can win on their day so we are not looking at Queens’ recent form at all.
“Stephen Dobbie is still the top scorer in the league. He’s not got one for a few weeks now but that doesn’t change the fact we will have to keep him very quiet.
“This league is very competitive and every team has something to play for.”
One of the star performers at East End Park in midweek for United was Jamie Robson, pushed forward into a wide midfield role.
Neilson said: “Jamie Robson gives us a bit of balance out there. He is very good going forward.
“He still has work to do defensively but moving him up the pitch there has been a help.
“Eventually I probably see him going back to left-back but right now I think that position he’s playing is important for us.”
Neilson reported that Sow is now “back in full training”, with Connolly expected to return today.
