Striker Noel Hunt is determined to reap the rewards of hard work as he looks to show United fans what he is all about.

United tasted a 1-0 defeat against QPR last time out - the first reverse of the new season - and the Irishman was disappointed with both the outcome, and his own performance.

“Up to the QPR game I think we were reasonably happy as we were unbeaten,” said Noel. “We would have taken the eight points from 12 going into that game.

“For me personally the QPR game wasn’t good enough. Losing before an international break also gives you that little bit longer to dwell on it so it doesn’t help with getting some sleep.

“I want things to be right on the day but it hasn’t been, I’ll be the first to admit that. All I can do is work hard and make sure that I get it right for the future.”

United have netted five goals in five Championship outings so far this season, but Noel believes that tally will increase as the team continues to develop and progress.

“It’s a collective, we know that we need to get more crosses in and more shots on goal,” said Noel.

“We are in the middle of trying to get a pattern together so that we are hard to beat. Once we have got that right we can move on and try and get the things further up the field right.

“Obviously goals win games and that’s the main thing. There will be no one working harder than me and the boys to try and get that right.

“We are trying to get that unbeaten mentality in the dressing room. For me the QPR game was a tough performance to accept and as a team we won’t accept it either. We know at home that we can’t be getting beat.”

The 2013/14 Sky Bet Championship season looks to be shaping up as a tight affair once again - a fact which has been seen in all of United’s fixtures so far this campaign.

“Every time we have played in we have been in the game,” said Hunt. “You’ve got to be in it to win it and that is the mentality that we have and the way we go about our business.

“For me it is about getting it right now and turning the performances on the field because I know myself they haven’t been good enough but I’m trying to work on it.

“You’ve got to keep the faith. People are going to have a go and that is fair enough, you have got to be a man and take it on the chin and make sure that you are better next time.

“I am here to improve and be better and play for the shirt which is the main thing.”