MIND HOW YOU GO
COUNTDOWN TO THE Paddy: Utd must clear heads for play-off crunch United travel front for supporters
PADDY CONNOLLY insists Dundee United must put the emotionally-draining play-off drama against Falkirk behind them if they’re to clinch a return to the Premiership.
The former Tannadice striker believes last Friday’s last-gasp semi-final win could take its toll as his old club prepare for the first leg of their final with Hamilton on Thursday.
Connolly fell at the last hurdle twice as a player but he’s adamant Ray McKinnon’s men have the mental strength to make a return to the big time.
He said: “These games are as much mental as they are physically testing and the manner of United’s win at Falkirk was sapping.
“There was the obvious elation but it was tiring as it was a two-legged semi-final where it was always in the balance.
“Ray’s a strong character and you are now seeing that same character in his team.
“He will be trying to feed them confidence and they’ll have plenty of time to recover from the game against Falkirk. He’ll make sure the players will just be ticking over and they have a more than decent chance.
“I’d like to see them go up. No disrespect to Hamilton, who have done well over recent seasons, but you want to see the biggest clubs in the top league.
“United have momentum, having done brilliantly to knock out Morton and Falkirk.
“Accies on the
These games are as much mental as they are physically testing
PADDY CONNOLLY DUNDEE UNITED aim to complete their journey back to the Premiership by laying on free buses to shuttle fans to Sunday’s play-off final second leg at Hamilton.
Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson has arranged to transport almost other hand have been trying in vain to avoid finishing second bottom for the last three or four weeks. It’s a hard one to call.”
The Alloa assistant boss is still coming to terms with his club’s own Championship play-off final defeat to Brechin and is convinced it will be a long summer for United if they suffer a similar fate.
He said: “I’ve been through the highs and lows of the playoffs as a player and a coach.
“My record as a player wasn’t great, I lost a play-off to reach the Premier League when I was at Airdrie and we were beaten by Hibs . It was the same story when I was at Brechin and we went down to Ayr United.
“There’s no worse feeling in football than losing a play-off final as you know your entire season is hanging on just one game.
“There is a lot of hurt involved and that horrible feeling lingers through the summer.
“It’s a brutal part of football which either United or
Accies 500 supporters in appreciation of his team’s backing.
Six buses will be provided for the weekend decider and a seat can be booked on a firstcome, first-served basis to fans buying tickets for the tie are going to have to deal with this week.”
United’s hectic schedule over the last three weeks has to be weighed up but Connolly insists his old club can buck a trend by proving they have the stamina to go overcome the handicap.
He said: “The statistics have proven that the team which has had to play the most games eventually see it catching up with them.
“You could argue it affected Hibs last season against Falkirk as they had done so well in the cup competitions.
“That cycle is going to be broken at some point and United will fancy themselves.
“Raymond has done a terrific job getting the team back on track just at the right time after they had suffered a dip back in January. They have found a bit of form again.
“I don’t think home advantage matters at this stage. Even if United were to lose on Thursday they would still fancy themselves to repair the damage at Hamilton.
“Accies lost to Hibs at home in the first leg three years ago then overtured that at Easter Road. It shows what can happen.” during Wednesday’s exclusive buying period for seasonticket holders.
Thompson has also offered to subsidise the cost of each of the Federation DUSC affiliated Supporters’ Clubs who are travelling to Lanarkshire.
GORDON PARKS GORDON PARKS