Sean Dillon excited to work with new Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen
Dundee United captain Sean Dillon believes Mixu Paatelainen's clear focus can help them rediscover their winning feeling.
The Finn took over at Tannadice on Wednesday and immediately told his United players he wanted more desire, hard work and mental resilience.
Paatelainen also wants it quickly with United sitting bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership ahead of Sunday's visit of Hearts.
Dillon said: "I'm excited to be working with him. He speaks very well and is very clear in what he is looking for as a team and individually. That will help the lads.
"The manager has said that Sunday is important and we need to get ready for it. He has made it clear that we want to get back to winning ways.
"We don't have a lot of time to work on things for Sunday but we have had a good start.
"I'm sure over time he will put his mark on what's going on but he seems to have started straight away.
"It's not a case of 'we'll get Sunday out the way and then we'll start working'."
United's confidence has taken a battering after a run of four wins in 25 league games but Dillon is sure it can quickly return.
"We know we can perform well, we have a good squad and lots of good players and I have no doubt we are going to get back to winning ways, I just hope it's sooner rather than later," the Irish defender said.
"We're desperate to win the game on Sunday. At the moment I don't care how it's done. The manager has told us it will take a bit of time to put his stamp on it. The number one priority is winning on Sunday and hopefully we can carry on after that."
Paatelainen will be without several players for his first game in charge.
Mario Bilate (knee) is out long term following a cruciate ligament injury and Chris Erskine (pelvis), Paul Dixon (hernia) and Paul Paton (knee) are still working their way back following operations.
Hearts are without the suspended Callum Paterson and Gavin Reilly.
Captain Alim Ozturk is out for a few weeks after undergoing a second hernia operation. Soufian El Hassnaoui is in training following a knee injury but is still not ready to play.
Jamie Walker is looking for Hearts to end a run of "concerning" form.
The newly-promoted Gorgie side started the season strongly with six straight victories but failed to register a win in five Ladbrokes Premiership games before the international break, although the sequence was interrupted by a 3-2 League Cup win at Kilmarnock.
A goalless draw against Celtic at Parkhead and a 1-1 draw at home to Killie arrested a three-match losing run but the 22-year-old attacker wants to get back to winning ways against the league's bottom side.
The Tynecastle side slipped to fourth place in the table after Ross County leapfrogged them with a 2-0 home win over Aberdeen on Friday night.
Asked about the league form, Walker said: "It is bit concerning. We have only picked up two points (recently).
"One was a good point at Parkhead and I think we should have had three points at home against Killie but we missed a lot of chances.
"So everyone is looking forward to Sunday and hopefully we can pick up three points.
"We have not won in five games but we are still high in the league and we are happy with that.
"Hopefully in the coming weeks we can start winning and picking up more points."
Source: PAR
