Paddy Reading reckons the breath of fresh Ayr around Somerset Park can only benefit the team on the pitch.
United's left back has been one of the team's standout performers in what has been a tough season so far.
But he confidently predicts better times are around the corner with the club putting long term building blocks in place.
He said: "It definitely feels like there's a change around the club at the moment.
"The appointment of Graeme Mathie and the gaffer [Lee Bullen] has given the club a whole new feel around the place and things are going in the right direction.
"Everything feels a lot more positive now."
Scotland under 21 cap Reading, who is in his second season at Somerset, has become one of United's most reliable performers.
And he believes the influx of new faces in January can only help raise the game of the entire squad.
The 22-year-old added: "To be fair, there's been a good atmosphere in the changing room for the whole season.
"The boys have stuck by each other the whole way considering it hasn't been going well.
"But there's real competition around the squad now and that translates into training - the tempo is up and everyone wants to do their bit to get in the team.
"I've just been focusing on my consistency and working hard.
"I know I've got the quality and it will come through if I put the effort in."
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