Reserve judgement on the Tangerines

MOULDING a largely-new team together always takes time but if you can pick up victories anyway, you’re on to a winner.

And Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon will be hoping he’s on to just that at Tannadice after reshaping his squad big time over the summer.

There was no surprise when he wielded the axe over a big chunk of last season’s squad and brought in some new faces for this time around.

The problem he was always going to have, though, by doing that was to gel the side together.

From what I hear, the first half against Raith on Saturday wasn’t much of a spectacle and the second wasn’t a whole lot better.

However, knocking in two goals and starting the season off with a victory is all that matters.

Raith on the opening day with a new manager and some new faces themselves was never going to be an easy task.

Added to that was the relatively short pre-season the Tangerines had put their players through because of the exertions of last season.

Put all of that together and grabbing a fairly-straightforward win with two of your debutants getting goals is certainly not to be sniffed at.

This team shouldn’t be judged on performances in the Betfred Cup anyway — it’s far too early for that.

Getting back to the Premiership is the one and only goal this campaign, so I’ll be reserving ultimate judgement until we’re getting towards double figures in games played in the league.

However, that won’t stop me over-analysing and questioning things in the meantime!

As a football writer, it is my job after all but I’ll try my best to keep some perspective.

I’ll be watching new-look United for the first time tonight up in Buckie.

I’m looking forward to it, even if I had to set off at lunchtime just to arrive on time!

There’s an element of the unknown about the game — as in I don’t know anything about Buckie Thistle.

Hopefully, the Tangerines have done more homework than me and should ease past the Highland League side.

Whatever happens, United are going to need some time to get up to full speed this season but two wins from two will give them a welcome head-start.

A new-look Dundee United got their season off to the perfect start with a 2-0 win over Raith Rovers on Saturday.