The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Tangerines to put frighteners on Jags
Partick Thistle promised Halloween ‘nightmare’ at Tannadice
Jamie Robson wants playing Dundee United at Tannadice to be a “nightmare” for other teams as Halloween approaches.
The Tangerines have certainly been putting the frighteners on their visitors so far this season, winning five out of five matches at their own stadium and averaging four goals a game.
United host basement boys Partick Thistle tonight and Robson wants the Jags to be feeling just a little bit scared by the prospect.
The left-back, who made a solid return from injury in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Dunfermline that put them three points clear at the top of the table, said: “You want other teams coming to Tannadice and thinking: ‘Oh no, Dundee United away. We don’t want to go there because their form is really good and they are scoring goals.’
“We want it to be a nightmare for them.
“It is good for us at home because we are scoring goals and the confidence is flying.
“We need to keep it up.
“I think the fans are massive for us at home games. They drive us on when times are tough and help us out.”
Robson’s presence at left-back seemed to bring stability and balance to United’s defence against the Pars following a 4-0 hammering from Queen of the South in their previous match.
He admitted he has found it difficult to sit games out but is now fully recovered from his hamstring injury.
Robson said: “We have had a few injuries and the team has been mixed up a few times so it will be good to get everyone back in.
“It has been tough for me being on the sidelines watching the games when you really want to be involved.
“However, when you are injured you need to be mentally strong and work every day in the gym with the physios doing rehab.
“You must stay focused on regaining your fitness. Thankfully they have managed to get me back sooner than I expected and it is good to be back.
“The last few minutes of the Dunfermline game were tiring – to be honest, I was struggling – but I am glad I got through it and the boys helped me do so.”
Partick suffered a big setback on Saturday when they lost 3-1 to parttimers Arbroath at Firhill.
That defeat saw them stay at the foot of the table on the eight-point mark, two behind second-bottom Alloa and a massive 13 behind league leaders United.
This may be a clash between top and bottom in the Championship but Robson and his teammates will take nothing for granted against a side that beat Dundee 3-1 up the road at Dens Park just 10 days ago.
Robson said: “Every team in the league is capable of beating anyone.
“It’s a good, competitive league.
“We all believe and know we are good players but you can’t think you will just win any game.
“It is down to us, the players, to work hard, do the right things as we have been doing – especially at home – and hopefully will get the win.”
Jags boss Ian McCall is confident of picking up another favourable result on the road.
He told the club’s official website: “If we can go to Dens Park and win, head to Inverness and win, then we can definitely go to Tannadice and get a result.
“We’ve won three games out of five and done brilliantly on the road but unfortunately the two games we have lost have been at Firhill and that can’t continue.
“It was great for the 500 fans at Dens last week (3-1 win over Dundee), but the vast majority of our fans are here and want to see it here and we haven’t given them it. We’ve got to rectify it to climb the league.”
I think the fans are massive for us at home games. They drive us on when times are tough and help us out. JAMIE ROBSON