Johnston will have learned lessons

It is surely significant that the Dundee United players would like the Pars to have a go today.

Midfielder Scott Fraser was extremely honest about his desire for Dunfermline to come to Tannadice and attack the Tangerines.

For that very reason, you suspect manager Allan Johnston will play a canny game this time.

To describe United as a bit of a bogey team for the East End Park men is a bit like calling Donald Trump a wee bit daft.

Both are ridiculous understatements, of course, with the Tannadice men having won nine and drawn two of their last 11 matches against the Fifers.

Indeed, you have to go way back to August 20 2011 – those halcyon days when a Trump in the White House was something that could be blamed on the Obamas’ dog Bo – to find the last time Dunfermline beat United.

The scoreline at Tannadice that day was 1-0 and reports suggested that a stubborn defence strangled the life out of the home team before a Paul Burns late strike earned the three points for the Pars.

That looks to be the best route to success for the visitors again this afternoon.

Open up and it could be a repeat of the last time the teams met on September 30, when the Tangerines recorded a 3-1 away win that actually flattered Dunfermline.

My feeling is that not only will Johnston have learned from that match but also from United’s home clash with Falkirk, which produced the Tangerines’ finest display of the season so far.

Maybe they won’t park the bus but they should not leave the road clear for the home team to just drive on through.