Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara has expressed satisfaction with the team’s positive goal difference.
United sit on +18 thanks to their free-scoring form, easily outstripping every side other than Premiership leaders Celtic.
That marks a significant improvement on previous seasons and, according to McNamara, is an indicator of how well the Tangerines are playing.
“Our goals tally for and against was very poor for a club of this size when I first came in January,” said the Tannadice boss. “So I am very pleased that we have managed to put it right this season.
“It is a healthy sign and improving the goal difference is something we have really been working on.
“We are sitting on the same points as Aberdeen but are above them because of the goal difference. Mind you, if you are scoring four each week, that helps and it has been really encouraging.
“It is about how we keep things going now and we will be trying to win every game.”
McNamara reiterated that his players are unaffected by transfer speculation.
Italian giants Roma became the latest club to have a scout at Tannadice when their representative Massimo Tarantino took in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Hearts.
Ryan Gauld was understood to be the target but the United gaffer is confident the players are blocking it all out.
“It just becomes normal for the players,” he said. “You put it to one side and concentrate on what is happening on the pitch It shouldn’t affect them and, to be honest, you can see that in their performances that it hasn’t.”
United had a couple of key men in the treatment room when they reported for training at St Andrews on Monday.
Gavin Gunning sat out the Hearts match because of a knee problem, while Nadir Ciftci was suspended but would have missed it anyway due to a hamstring injury.
McNamara said: “Gavin had a scan on his knee and we don’t think it is as bad as first feared so that is good news. As for Nadir, we are just waiting to see how he responds to treatment.”
Meanwhile, there could soon be more good news on the contract front for United after signing Ciftci on an improved deal.
McNamara said: “We are working on a few things and hopefully we will have some more news by later in the week.”
Cardiff City are the latest club to be linked with Gauld and John Souttar. Malky Mackay sent another former Celtic star, chief scout Tommy Johnson, to assess the pair on Saturday.