Dundee boss Paul Hartley has been doing his homework on Saturday’s opponents St Mirren with the help of the usual video footage as well as inside information from some of his players.
Gary Harkins and Paul McGowan both played for the Buddies last season, while Paul McGinn was at the club before joining Dumbarton last year.
So the Dens manager will be picking their brains as the unbeaten Dark Blues search for their first Premiership win at the fourth time of asking.
Hartley said: “We’ve seen loads of footage of St Mirren. We’ve had all their games covered and seen videos of them so we know how they play.
“They’ve got some good young players and they like to play in a certain manner.
“But the good thing for us is that we have a few ex-St Mirren players in our ranks. They know pretty much their team and what their dangers are.
“So we will be asking one or two of them what they think about their qualities.”
St Mirren may have a crop of promising youngsters but Dundee also have a star in the making in teenage striker Craig Wighton.
The 17-year-old came off the bench at half-time last week against Partick Thistle to produce a superb display capped with a coolly-taken goal.
However, Hartley would not be drawn on whether he would play the youngster from the start in Paisley.
The manager said: “We’ll have a look at it. He did very well when he came on against Partick last weekend. So he’s very much in our thoughts.”
While Dundee have drawn their first three matches, the Buddies have lost the two they have played so far.
Hartley said: “We’re pleased with the start we’ve made. It’s virtually a new team which we’ve assembled with 12 new faces. I think we’ve made a solid start.
“We think we should have had more points on the board but we’re unbeaten, which is a good thing.
“Hopefully we can get our first win of the new season on Saturday. We don’t think it’s too far away.
“It’s far too early to judge teams as we’re only three games into the new season.
“I think you get a better indication after about six to eight games about how you’re going to be for the rest of the season.
“By all accounts, St Mirren played really well (in their first game) against Motherwell. So we know it will be a tough, tough match.”
Dundee could be without three key players, with skipper Kevin Thomson all but certain to miss out while there are doubts over Willie Dyer and Luka Tankulic.
Hartley added: “Thommo is probably out. It’s a game too early for him. He’ll hopefully make the Raith game in the League Cup on Tuesday.
“Luka Tankulic has a little back spasm but hopefully he’ll be OK.
“Willie Dyer is touch and go. He’s struggling so we’ll assess him on Friday. However, Kevin McBride has trained this week.”