Alex Mathie, the £800,000 signing considered by many as the millstone which finally sank Paul Sturrock, was the subject of considerable cosseting.

Smith assured the Press, and the Sportscene viewers on Saturday night, that the much-criticised Mathie was, in fact, a winger rather than a striker.

As soon as a new striker could be brought to Tannadice to partner Steven Thompson, insisted Smith, then Mathie would be relocated to a wider position.

The subtext to the 'interim' boss' public address was that Thompson - a favourite from Smith's Scotland Under-21 days - had already been installed as United's No1 centre-forward.

But as Soccernet digested Smith's tactical assertions in the wake of his 1-1 debut draw with Motherwell at Tannadice, Thompson's goalscoring record came sharply into focus.

Two goals in 53 league matches - neither of which was scored at home - indicates Smith' s search for a striking partner must be an imperative.

Thompson, still only 21, could, of course, hide behind the age-old defence of lies, damned lies and statistics. He even could point to seven goals in 15 cup ties or the fact that he has started just 26 league games and played the rest as a substitute.

The powerful attacker does not shirk, however, when addressing the need to be more prolific in front of goal in order to merit the instant faith which Smith has placed in him.

'I know myself that my scoring record is not as good as it should be,' said Thompson. I don't think I'm missing a great number of chances, though.

'As a team, we have not created many chances lately. But I am never going to be a striker who will score an incredible number of goals in a season.

'I'm more of a target man who will put himself about and create chances for others. I would be happy with double figures rather than, say, 20 goals.

'Last season I scored seven goals, but six of them were in the cups and only one in the league. It's a worry because, quite often, league statistics are all people look at.

'I have never scored in the league at Tannadice and I would love a league goal at home, preferably against St Johnstone this Saturday.' Smith, doubtless, has already pencilled in Thompson's name for the visit of Sandy Clark's side tomorrow, particularly after United's late escape against Well last week.

A first point of the SPL season lifted spirits at Tannadice after the gloom descended with Sturrock's early, if not totally unexpected, departure.

The fact that Thompson knew the new manager from his international days has been of great benefit during Smith's settling-in period at United.

Half-a-dozen other United youngsters, such as Craig Easton and Hugh Davidson, also had experience of Smith's techniques from various Scotland get-togethers.

And Thompson insisted that Smith's old-fashioned style of man-management - and perhaps a little televisual ego massaging - has restored smiles within the dressing room.

'Alex is very positive in his outlook,' revealed Thompson. 'He is very professional, very disciplined and a real calming influence on everyone.

'His main priority is to build up confidence and get us believing in ourselves again. It was a huge confidence-booster for me personally when I heard I would still be in the team.

'When a new manager comes in, you are always wary and try hard to impress him. But I knew Alex from the Under-21s and that put me at ease.

'He has the ability to put players at ease. He has an aura about him which makes you relax, and the training has been fantastic. We feel really sharp.'

The rediscovered edge was evident last Saturday as Jim Paterson rewarded United for their late recovery with an equaliser against Motherwell.

And Thompson is insistent that the United of old would not have found the reserves of strength and will to overhaul John Spencer's early opener.

'There have been so many times in the last year when we were trailing 1-0 and just could-n't manage to find that extra something to equalise,' he said.

'Last Saturday, I felt there was a definite determination to get the goal back. It had been lacking when we had fallen behind in past matches.

'We used to look for someone else to influence the game for us, instead of taking the responsibility ourselves.

'There was a real spirit of rallying together last week. The St Johnstone game should offer us the chance of three points. We need a first win under our belts and, if we can get into a better position, we can take it from there.'

What price a first victory for new boss Smith against the Saints tomorrow and, maybe, a winning goal from Thompson to thrill Tannadice?

'I played with a few different partners last year,' recalled the young striker. But none of us produced the goods in terms of scoring goals.

'As I said, as long as I'm contributing to the team and doing myself justice, then I won't let the statistics about league goals unduly worry me.'