Jim Goodwin has opened up on Mark Ogren's driving ambition at Dundee United, insisting the owner's main goal is to bring success to the Tannadice club.
The chairman is back in Scotland for one of his regular visits. He has ploughed millions into United during his eight years at the helm. The club is now trying to move towards a more self-sustainable player trading model, although the American still has to plug any financial gaps.
Owner's priority is winning
Goodwin knows Ogren is driven to bring further success to United. The United manager said: "I think this group of players – given the permanent contracts that we've done over the summer – has real, tangible assets within it.
"From an owner's perspective, that's got to be very pleasing.
"But the chairman, in fairness to him, is always geared towards the team being successful.
"Yes, the selling of players and things like that are part of our business model, but it's always secondary to what happens on the pitch on a Saturday.
"First and foremost, he wants to see the team winning and he wants to see Dundee United being successful.
"We all want to be in that top six, come the split, and of course, we want to go and have a good cup run.
"That's something I think I spoke about for the last three years and we haven't managed to get to Hampden yet in that period of time.
"That's the next thing we'd like to tick off the list."
Ogren's visits and backing
He has seen United win the Championship and have two European runs in his time at Tannadice. Ogren was in the stands for the Hibs win at the weekend and will head to St Johnstone on Saturday.
Goodwin claimed: "The chairman was there for the game on Saturday against Hibs and I'm glad to say that on his visits of late, the team have always seemed to perform!
"He's not watched the team lose too many games in his last few visits.
"He'll be here for the game at the weekend and hopefully that's a good omen."
Ogren put his hand in his pocket to fund the signing of Zidane Iqbal at the end of the window, as they tried to change the playing style. He has also been very supportive to Goodwin, especially during his recent health challenges.
He stated: "Any chairmen that I've ever worked with over the years are always pleased when their team is performing and picking up good results.
"We have good dialogue with the owner and his son, Scott.
"Whenever we're having the board meetings, we explain the reasons behind the types of recruitment we are trying to do.
"We're always trying to improve the team, but along with that, we're trying to add value within the squad.
"I think everybody can see what we're trying to do here.
"We've tried to change the whole thing; system, personnel, style of play.
"That doesn't all click into place overnight. It takes time.
"But the players have got a clear understanding of what we're looking for and the results now are starting to come."
Belief growing in the squad
Goodwin is in no doubt there is a real belief in his group growing, after a slow league start. Bert Esselink has been a key figure in that revival.
"The players are in a good place," the Irishman insisted.
"Winning games brings confidence and the mood about the camp is a very positive one – long may that continue.
"I was never overly concerned by the start of the campaign.
"If the performances weren't there then, absolutely, you'd be a little bit more worried.
"But I always felt that there was good enough quality within the group for things to change."
United's recent revival has been down to one major factor.
"The first goal in this league is so important," Goodwin confirmed.
"Week after week, you tend to see that. It's very rare that the team that scores first doesn't go on and take some points from the game.
"That's been the case in the last couple of games that we've played; we've managed to get our noses in front and taken confidence from that."
