Saturday saw a painful 2-0 home defeat against high-flying Kilmarnock at Tannadice, in a game United dominated in terms of possession.

Unhappy as he was with the final score, however, Craig saw a lot in the performance to suggest his men can soon be on the right track.

“I do not think the players did a lot wrong. We are lacking a cutting edge and a couple of errors when people didn’t do things they are normally very good at cost us goals — but for most of the game we were on top,” he said.

“We can even take it as a complement that, as well as they have started, Kilmarnock changed their formation to a 4-5-1 and sat in — that’s the first time they’ve done that this season.

“When that happens, you have to keep passing to try and open teams up. In fairness to the players, that is what they did — they just did not do it well enough.

“We got the ball into a lot of good positions, but the final pass lacked the quality we needed and, rather than do anything drastic, that’s what we have to work on.”

Saturday saw Francisco Sandaza made his first competitive start and, while he will be working hard on his fitness this week, Craig is now confident the Spaniard can be more than just a bit-part player.

“The break gives us a chance to work him, but I am now a lot happier with his condition and I am not worried that if we keep him on too long he’ll pick up injuries through tiredness.

“What he still lacks a little is match fitness and he will only get that through games. We also have to remember that the pace at the start of games over here is something he is not used to and he’ll need a little time to adjust.”

United have no plans to shuffle their squad in advance of the transfer deadline tonight.

United were saddened to hear of the sudden death of former player Jamie Dolan at the age of just 39.

Dolan, who also played for Motherwell, Dunfermline and Partick, collapsed while out jogging yesterday.

“This news has come as a shock to everyone here and our thoughts are with Jamie’s family,” said director Derek Robertson.

But for defensive lapses, Alex believes his men could have picked up a point and, despite his frustration at costly errors, he was still impressed by the contribution of centre-half Gary MacKenzie.

“I am very disappointed because our defending until Saturday was very good, but after looking in control for a long time we made bad errors and it cost us,” he said.

“I have to say, though, that once again big Gary was immense. He has been like that all season and for a big chunk of last season as well.

“People will see the result and think it is strange I’m praising a defender, but it is only being fair to highlight the influence he now has on our team.

“The great thing for me is that he is still young and improving and it’s good to have that kind of quality in our squad.”

By the time Dundee face league action again, against Dunfermline at Dens on Saturday week, Alex hopes to have the option of pairing MacKenzie with close-season signing Craig McKeown.

After a summer dogged by groin trouble, the ex-Clyde man came on for his competitive debut at Palmerston and a couple of closed-door games this week should get his match fitness up to scratch.

“We are playing an SPL side tomorrow night and a lower division team on Thursday and, if Craig comes through both without any problems, then he will be fit enough to be considered for a starting place,” confirmed the gaffer.

Colin Cameron, out since the last pre-season friendly because of a strained knee ligament, has a chance of talking part in the second of those games, but it is still too early for Jim Lauchlan or Darren Young to be considered.

Alex is not expecting to do any business prior to the transfer window closing at midnight tonight.

Saints faced Rangers in a closed-doors match this afternoon.

Kevin Rutkiewicz, still suffering the effects of a virus, did not take part, nor did Jody Morris.

The former Chelsea player will make his return from injury in a closed-doors match against Hearts next week. “I want Jody to get a full week’s training in before he plays,” said Derek.

Saints fielded a strong team today which included Euan McLean, Kevin Moon, Stuart McCaffrey, Steven Anderson, Alan Morgan, Derek Holmes, Gavin Swankie, Steven Milne and Peter MacDonald.