We need more fight and more effort says Utd gaffer Laszlo

DUNDEE United might be in the play-offs but manager Csaba Laszlo expects “more fight” than he witnessed in the 3-0 defeat at Queen of the South.

The Tangerines were well-beaten i n Dumfries in a lacklustre display that doesn’t exactly breed confidence for their shot at promotion to the Premiership.

They were behind after just nine minutes as Lyndon Dykes knocked in at the back post before midfielder Joe Thomson gave the Doonhamers a deserved two-goal lead after 31 minutes.

Things got worse in the second half when Queens sub Connor Murray smashed in with his first touch after coming on.

Csaba says the recent testing schedule of 12 games in six weeks played its part but expects “more desire” from his team for the crunch play-off matches. He said: “The team didn’t deserve to win. “In the first 30 minutes we l ost the game.

“We conceded two very easy goals but in the other side this is the sixth week in a row we have played Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and I think especially after the Brechin game everybody was a little bit tired.

“I am honest, I want to protect the team but on the other side I wanted a bit more fight.

“I don’t have to hide, anyone who saw the game will know that if we played till Sunday we still wouldn’t score.

“We had three very good chances in the second half but we hit the crossbar, put it over the bar and shot at the goalkeeper.

“I have to say Queen of the South played football without pressure and we were tired.”

The Tangerines might have been well-beaten but that didn’t stop them grabbing a place in the play-offs thanks to Nicky Clark’s late, late equaliser for Dunfermline against Inverness.

Csaba added: “The most important is the team is positive in their minds that we reached the play-offs and I hope definitely, and I know the team, that in the play-offs we will show more effort, more attitude, more desire and after we’ll see.

“OK, this will be very difficult, you have to come again from behind but I am confident the team can play in the play-offs good and winning games.”