Manager Colin Calderwood is still searching for a solution to end Hibernian's eight-match winless run ahead of Tuesday night's Scottish Cup fourth-round replay at Ayr and is hoping to disappoint those cheering for the underdog.
Hibs were held to a 0-0 draw by the Irn-Bru Second Division side at Easter Road before losing 3-0 to Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Celtic last Saturday. The results mean Calderwood has two wins - both coming in November - and eight defeats in 13 matches in charge heading to Somerset Park, where many people are expecting a shock.
"I haven't produced anything near what I expect of my teams and will continue to strive to do that," he said. "We'll work hard at the training ground and we've got to find a rhythm and a tempo and a set-up that gives us it. What we have to do is show greater running power, greater determination, greater athleticism and more quality."
Calderwood anticipates his players will need to be at their best to avoid falling out of the competition, but admits there is the possibility of United winning.
He said: "We're very aware why the game has been taken by the television.
"I think it's an attractive game with a fair chance of an upset - we want to spoil that type of party.
"I think it's going to be a proper test of us and we'll have to be very good - we'll have to be very close to top level to have any chance of getting anything out of the game.
"We have to be very determined to make sure we get the result that everybody else doesn't want.
"There will be a winner on the night one way or another - it would be nice to get it."
Source: PA
