Jackie McNamara is expecting big things from his four summer signings.
But the Dundee United manager believes January purchases Paul Dixon and Ryan McGowan will also be like “new players” for him this season.
The two full-backs were drafted in during the winter transfer window which can be a notoriously difficult time to make an impact according to the Tannadice boss.
From what he’s seen of the experienced duo in pre-season though, the pair will make a big contribution to the Tangerine cause in the new campaign, which gets underway against Aberdeen on Sunday.
The effect of the winter departures from United Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong needs no retelling.
But according to McNamara, the difficulty for new additions to have an immediate effect was also an issue.
He’s hoping that there will be no such problems in August.
“It was difficult for us in January for different reasons,” McNamara pointed out.
“You can’t go out and spend a lot of money to replace players, and you’re relying on players getting up to speed quickly.
“The likes of Henri (Anier) had come in without playing in Germany. Apart from match fitness, confidence is low with not playing.
“Dicker (Paul Dixon) as well. Ryan McGowan’s season had finished in China. And (Robbie) Muirhead was a different one altogether.
“Some can hit the ground running and some take a pre-season.”
He added: “The two full-backs in particular have been excellent in pre-season. They’ll be like two new players.
“The centre-halves (Mark Durnan and Coll Donaldson) have done very well. And we’ve a new young goalkeeper who I’ve got great belief in.”