Jackie McNamara: Good times around the corner for Dundee United
Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara is convinced good times are just around the corner for his side.
United go into their home game with Kilmarnock on Saturday on the back of three consecutive defeats during which McNamara's side have shipped nine goals.
But they will have loan signings Billy McKay, Aaron Kuhl and Adam Taggart looking to make their home debuts while defender Callum Morris could make his first appearance of the season following a thigh problem.
And McNamara said: "We're looking at things positively. I've not been scratching my head and worrying about the last game because there's been positive signs there.
"Besides the Hamilton game, where we were poor the first half and lost the game, there have been signs that it has been coming for us.
"But we need to start games better and not do anything silly.
"I'd like to see us go 2-0 up and take the shackles off, like we did last year.
"You could see the confidence coming out but it's been tough in certain games this season."
Killie are even worse off than United, sitting bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership table having failed to collect three points all season.
But McNamara believes Gary Locke will turn his team into a winning one at some stage soon.
He said: "Kilmarnock had new players coming in so that can take time. 'They had that setback on the first day of the season against Dundee but will be looking to get a result here.
"They have some good players so we will be showing them respect.
"Of course, our focus is on getting back to winning ways and that's what we'll be trying to do. 'I don't feel we deserve to have lost the last three games.
"It's up to us to turn that kind of game into draws and victories and try to go on some sort of run in the coming weeks."
Kilmarnock wide man Greg Kiltie hopes to take his Scotland form into the game.
While Locke worked his players hard on the training ground during the international break Kiltie was with the Scotland Under-19 squad in Bulgaria for a friendly double-header where scored in the 1-1 draw and the 1-0 win.
The 18-year-old, who has rejected the offer of a new deal but is relaxed about on-going discussions, returned with a confidence boost which he aims to replicate in domestic games, starting at Tannadice.
He said: "If the gaffer selects me, hopefully I will take it into the games here.
"It was good to get away and get some game time with the Scotland Under-19s, not to forget about here, but get away from it for a wee while and come back fresh and it always helps when you score a few goals as well.
"As well as learning at Kilmarnock, you learn from international duty, playing against better players at my own age and different styles. It is beneficial.
"Hopefully we can kick-start our season from this weekend. Obviously we haven't had a win yet so it is disappointing.
"We have had this break to look over a few things and hopefully we can get a win."
Having lost 15 goals in the league so far Locke has understandably focused on defensive frailties.
The former Kilmarnock defender said: "We have been in every day, we have worked hard and hope we can see an improvement.
"We have leaked too many goals, that is evident to everyone. We have worked a lot on defending, all our weaknesses really.
"It is a tough fixture, Tannadice is always a tough place to go.
"Like us, they would have looked to have started a bit better but I know the quality they have got.
"Jackie McNamara has added a couple of really good players so we know that we will have to play really well to get a result."
Source: PAR
