Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
We’ll have to be get anything at
DUNDEE United manager Micky Mellon insists his team are going to have to be at their best every week to pick up Premiership points this season.
Tomorrow, United head west to face a Motherwell side who finished third last term, and Mellon is anticipating a difficult clash.
The Terrors boss watched on as the Steelmen opened the new campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Ross County on Monday.
United and St Johnstone played out a 1-1 draw at Tannadice last weekend. However, gaffer Mellon insists those results mean nothing in a tight division.
“I went to Dingwall on Monday night and that’s the furthest north I have been in my life,” he said.
“I enjoyed it. It was a good game and I enjoyed the tactical tussle of it and you could see what both teams were trying to do.
“So I know just how difficult a game it’s going to be when we play them both.
“From what I have seen of the teams in the league so far, it’s a tough division and the teams are all relatively well-matched.
“There isn’t much between a lot of the teams. I have seen Ross County, Motherwell, Hibs and Kilmarnock – and there isn’t much between anyone.
“It’s going to be very keenlycontested and where everyone is going to finish when the shake up happens is anyone’s guess.
“One thing for certain is you are going to have to be good to pick up points in this league.”
Mellon is relishing testing himself against ’Well counterpart Stephen Robinson once more after going up against each other in their playing days down south.
He added: “I know him well. I am fortunate that I probably know all the managers who work in Scotland well.
“I have either played against them or managed against them.
“A lot of them have had spells in England, including Neil Lennon.
“So I know them well and I have a good sporting relationship with them.”
Paul McMullan (hernia) is the only injury concern for United’s visit to Fir Park, with the winger rated as touch and go.
First-team injuries are not of too great a concern for Mellon, however, as proven by his fielding of young Lewis Neilson in last Saturday’s league opener.