Head Coach Liam Fox is keen for his playing group to look ahead rather than reflect on the season so far, as they embark on a five-game month. It all starts tomorrow evening in Ayrshire as we take on Derek McInnes' Kilmarnock.
Looking Forward
First, Fox reflected on a disappointing end to January as we succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to league leaders Celtic, beginning “There were aspects of Sunday's game which were pleasing, but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have lots of important matches coming up, so we just have to move on and focus on Kilmarnock.”
He continued to stress the importance of a clear and congruous message throughout the club to ensure the playing group keep moving forward, adding “Since I’ve got this job, I’ve been pretty consistent about what we do and how we train every day - it’s about the culture we are trying to set."
Masters Of Our Own Destiny
The 38-year-old is under no illusions as to the potential magnitude of tomorrow night's clash with Kilmarnock, also on 20 points albeit having played a game more, but remarked that United will be the masters of their own destiny during the final months of the season.
"We can’t rely on anyone else for results and we aren’t looking over the fence at anybody. We are purely concentrating on what we have to improve, and how we keep getting better."
"That’s not going to change whether we win or we draw tomorrow - it's still the same process. Is it a game we’d like to win? Absolutely. Is it a big game? Absolutely. But we also have a lot of other big games this season. Ultimately, there are only three points at stake.”
“There is no panic or stress from us, we knew it would be like that because there is very little between the teams. As I always say, We don’t get too high when we win or too low when we lose, we just need to keep working to improve and get us away from the bottom of the table."
No Easy Games
Despite the hosts being on the wrong end of a 4-0 drubbing in the Highlands on Saturday, Fox is well aware the Terrors will face a number of challenges under the Rugby Park floodlights.
“They have a great home record and they’ll make it incredibly difficult for us.
"We are looking forward to the next few weeks. These are the type of games that, as players and staff and as the manager of a football club, I’m looking forward to.”
“It’s going to be a big month, there is no getting away from that. The fixtures are coming thick and fast, and they are all huge games."