Dundee United coach Darren Jackson has revealed that he has noticed an increase in intensity during training in the last few weeks.
That he believes is because with manager Jackie McNamara showing he is not afraid to make changes to his starting line-up recently, the players know they have to be on their toes.
He said: “For the last month in training, things have just gone up a couple of notches.
“Competition is fierce. Everyone believes that if they play well they have a chance of getting into the team.
“We were criticised for making seven changes in the St Johnstone game last year.
“But we’ve said all along we don’t have reserve team players here.
“They’re all first-team players.
“It’s great for all of us, the management team, to watch training and seeing them giving their all to get into the team.”