Laszlo right to be cross with Utd loss

IT’S not the end of the world for Dundee United to be out of the Irn-Bru Cup but new boss Csaba Laszlo has every right to be cross with his fringe men at the weekend.

The new gaffer didn’t get the bounce he was hoping for in his first game in charge on Saturday.

Every manager wants to start off their tenure with victory, although not having the extra games that would have brought might be a plus this time around.

United did great to win the cup last season but the run, I think, took a toll on the fitness of the players when it came back to league action.

And, obviously, that’s the be-all-andend-all this season for the club.

What is disappointing about Saturday is that by all accounts, the players given a chance to show what they can do against Crusaders didn’t take it.

One thing that amazes me is when a player who has been out of the team finally gets a chance but can’t rouse a performance.

I’m not talking about 10 out of 10 or anything like that, that obviously isn’t something you can expect from somebody who’s short of games.

However, it should be about really giving your all and making a statement to the manager that you should be getting a game.

Add to that it’s a new manager and everyone should be desperate to impress, you’ve got to question why that didn’t happen across the board on Saturday.

What is clear is that’s why those fringe players haven’t been playing.

Csaba has already said his next XI will be totally different. He obviously saw things he was not too happy with and maybe some of the players have missed their opportunity.

The best thing a squad can have is competition for places — you need people pushing the boys who have the jerseys.

Maybe that’s something United are missing at this moment and it can have an effect on the first-choice boys if there’s nobody nipping at their heels.

What they have this weekend is a chance to go top of the table.

Csaba’s first league match against Falkirk will see them go first with a point. If they can get the new manager reaction in that one, they’ll be flying going into the Christmas period.

New Dundee United manager Csaba Laszlo watched his side slump to a 2-1 defeat in his first match in charge.