Willo won’t use injuries as an excuse

WILLO Flood does not make excuses — so when he says Dundee United have been rocked by injuries this past month or so, he’s just stating a fact.

At the same time, the Tangerines skipper is adamant anyone who thinks this means Csaba Laszlo’s men can’t go on and win automatic promotion could have egg all over their face come May.

When United drew at Dunfermline on Saturday, unavailable for selection because of injury were Scott Fraser, Fraser Fyvie, Stewart Murdoch, Lewis Toshney, Jordie Briels, William Edjenguele and even January signing Brandon Mason.

Of that list only full-backs Mason and Murdoch are expected to return in the next week or so.

The manager has refused to use that as an excuse for a run of poor results that’s seen his team drop eight points behind Championship leaders St Mirren.

His captain agrees with him, even though he believes the list includes the best performer in the second tier.

“We’ve had more than our fair share of bad luck with injuries. There are a lot of injuries we are having to cope with, especially to four or five lads who would be in the starting XI,” said Willo.

“When the gaffer first came in, Fraser Fyvie was in the team, Scott Fraser was in the team and Stewart Murdoch was in the team.

“You can’t get away from the fact these boys are important players for us.

“You are obviously taking the core of the team out and, for me, Scott Fraser is probably the best player in the division.

“People can say what they want about that but, on the ball, he is our most creative player and I think he is the best in this league.

“But they are out and we just need to come together as a group. I’m sure the club will bring in one or two more to help us for the rest of the season.”

Big as those losses have been, Flood has no doubts there is still enough quality at Tannadice to win the league.