White: We can home in on glory
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH v DUNDEE UNITED INVERNESS ALLOA
IAN HARKES reckons Robbie Neilson’s post-match Alloa blast can help Dundee United master the art of winning ugly.
The midfielder revealed the irate United boss laid into his troops for not standing up to the fight in the wake of their 1-0 defeat away to the Wasps that followed a 2-0 reverse at Ayr just weeks before.
The American admits the tabletopping Tangerines failed to show enough grit but believes Neilson’s stern words will ensure there’s no repeat at Palmerston today.
Harkes said: “He definitely got into us about that, especially the midfielders – myself included.
“You have to do that sometimes and if that’s what it takes to win then so be it. Perhaps your touch isn’t going right with your passes in a game. If so, you need to put in the work to get the job done.
“It is about winning games, first and foremost.
“You need to do what it takes in this league and the manager has made that clear to the players.
“We saw Ross County do that last year and some of their games weren’t pretty but they got the results. That was all that mattered at the end of the season. “We have another tough away match on the astro down at Dumfries and that means the ball might be up in the air a lot. What we need to do is put in the hard work the manager is looking for and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.” Jack Hamilton admits Queen of the South hitman Stephen Dobbie has set the standard he’s desperate to reach. The striker, 19, who arrived at Palmerston on loan from Livingston in the summer, is out to grab goals against both halves of Dundee after scoring his first for Queens against the Dark Blues last month. Hamilton said: “The day I went in Stephen was flying through sprints and runs. I thought, ‘Right, I need to step up a bit.’ “He always wants to help me improve and speak to me, little tips and pointers what to do. “I feel more confident now I’ve had a couple of starts and I’ve scored. I just need to keep going and working hard.” V JORDAN WHITE believes Caley Thistle’s title tilt can be built on home form after finally getting to grips with their own stadium.
The Inverness striker was part of a side who tended to stumble at vital moments on home turf last season.
But this season they’ve suffered only one defeat in Inverness, accompanied by seven stirring victories before their own fans.
White, eager to continue that run against Alloa today, said: “It’s a massive difference. We had a few setbacks last season and it got to us but we’ve made a brilliant start at home this season and found our stride.
“It is probably just the confidence we have taken from that. By setting the tone from the start we can make this a fortress.”
Peter Grant reckons Alloa can upset the odds when they face John Robertson’s side for a second successive weekend after losing their Challenge Cup clash 3-0.
The Wasps boss said: “We played a lot of good stuff and hit the woodwork twice.
“But you have to put the ball in the net so we need to be a wee bit more clinical in our finishing. We’re a good team and can beat anyone on our day.”
EUAN McARTHUR