Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Csaba blasts league for tight turn around
Csaba Laszlo isn’t happy his weary players are having to go into play-off battle tonight after just 72 hours off.
However, the Dundee United boss has promised the Tangerines will be ready to go when they face Livingston i n the Premiership play-off semi-final first l eg at Tannadice.
Csaba believes squeezing the conclusion of the quarter-final against Dunfermline and the start of this tie so close together is unfair.
And while raising the issue may look like making his excuses in advance, he’s not afraid to speak out.
“I am unhappy because you must be fair. If you have this competition, you need to give a little more time,” he said.
“Even if it were Dunfermline who were moving forward, I would say that.
“You must be more fair — football is about fairness. You must give a little bit more time than two days — three or even four days.
“This is not an equal situation, but we see. We don’t have any choice, so we must be ready and we will be.”
United look certain to have on-loan Harry Lewis in goal tonight after recent first choice Deniz’s bizarre injury in Friday’s win over the Pars. The keeper injured a knee after landing awkwardly as he celebrated Scott McDonald’s equaliser.
He had been receiving treatment for a problem throughout last week and, although it’s not thought to be too serious, he’s not expected to be ready for either tonight or Friday’s second leg in Livingston.
Winning goal hero Sam Stanton also took a knock on Friday but is expected to be OK.
As well as in goal, Csaba may make other changes as he looks to keep things as fresh as possible.
Whatever the line-up, he’s looking for the same character that was shown as United battled back from a goal down against the Pars to storm to victory.
“Dunfermline, in the first half, they had good chances and played good football,” said Csaba.
“Tactically, we had to play completely different and, in the second half, we changed. And the team showed character, there was a good spirit and, defensively, we did well.”
Tickets for tonight’s clash have been selling well and are available from the club shop at Tannadice right up until kick-off. The second leg in Livingston on Friday night will be pay at the gate.