UNITED’S DERBY OPTIMISM

United head up the road to Dens Park on Wednesday quietly confident they can chalk up a first derby success of the Season. Despite problems with suspension and injury, Manager Alex Smith knows he has the players to pick up the three points that would see the Tangerines move off the bottom of the table - if St Mirren lose to Hearts. "We have Alan Combe, David Partridge and Hasney Aljofree out, but I can call on the likes of Paul Gallacher, Jamie Buchan and Neil Heaney, so we have plenty of quality," he said. "It would be nice to beat our city rivals, but the main thing for us has to be picking up points to make sure we can climb the table."